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2017 Ford Fiesta ST – Mild Update Landing In September

Ford Australia will bring in a much-needed infotainment upgrade for its Fiesta ST entry-level hot hatch this September, along with some mild cosmetic updates and a modest price increase. Criticised since launch for lacking the availability of satellite

Tony O'Kane

09:0208 April 2016

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2017 Ford Fiesta ST - Mild Update Landing In September

Ford Australia will bring in a much-needed infotainment upgrade for its Fiesta ST entry-level hot hatch this September, along with some mild cosmetic updates and a modest price increase.

Criticised since launch for lacking the availability of satellite navigation and a reversing camera, those two pieces of technology will finally make it to Australian-market Fiesta STs for the 2017 model year.

However with just a 5-inch non-touchscreen interface, it won't be the most sophisticated infortainment system in its segment.

It's an upgrade over the current model's 4-inch LCD display (which doesn't have a navigation capability), but it's not equal to the 6.5 and 7-inch touchscreens found in rivals like the Volkswagen Polo GTI, Renault Clio RS 200 and Peugeot 208 GTi.

Other improvements include new scuff plates with illuminated "ST" logos, red-painted brake calipers and 17-inch grey metallic alloy wheels. Power and torque outputs from the ST's turbocharged 1.6 litre remain at 134kW and 240Nm respectively.

PRICING

The addition of sat nav, a reversing camera and larger screen see the ST's price of entry rise $1500 to $27,490. That puts it in direct competition with the identically-priced Volkswagen Polo GTI, which has the benefit of five doors, a larger infotainment screen and 7kW more power and 80Nm more torque.

The updated 2017 Ford Fiesta ST goes on sale locally in September.