CHANGING consumer trends over the last few years has seen a drop in the number of light hatch buyers, which has in turn resulted in a number of brands dropping their offerings from the segment,

However one part of the light car segment is alive and well – the hot hatch segment, which models like the Volkswagen Polo GTI, Renault Clio RS and Peugeot 208 GTi keeping the fun. Lightweight spirit alive.

Ford has moved with the times, dropping the new-generation Fiesta hatch from its line-up – with the exception of the top-spec ST, which races into showrooms with an increase in power and sharpened dynamic ability.

So how does Ford Performance’s latest model compare to the competition?