OVER a cup of coffee with a Ford executive after two days of roadtesting the then barely-off-theproduction line Fiesta ST, I ventured to suggest that this little gem might well be the best new car of 2013.

I still had a daft smile on my face as I delivered my verdict after driving more than 100 miles along challenging French mountain roads.

The Ford man nodded in agreement. “I honestly think you would have to be nit-picking to find anything to criticise,” he said. And I concurred.

Several months later, Top Gear magazine named it Car of the Year 2013, describing it as “a car that puts a smile on your face each and every day”. I concur with that, too.

Time then to see how the car fared on UK roads with domestic duties thrown in.

The three-door Fiesta ST is a road car that won’t shake your fillings out, although the suspension is obviously firmer than that found in the regular Fiesta.

What makes the ST version such a fine little car is its ability to bridge the gap between performance car and everyday hatchback – something for which its big brother Focus ST is also renowned.

Key to the car’s driving qualities is the 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine that takes it from standstill to 62mph in a mere 6.9 seconds. It’s a beauty.

Previous versions were armed with a 2.0-litre unit, but this new turbocharged unit delivers 20 per cent more power and an equally better fuel economy figure than the previous version.

The powertrain, suspension, steering and brakes have been tuned for better driving dynamics while Ford has introduced Torque Vectoring Control and three-mode Electronic Stability Control to complete the handling package.

Another clever piece of technology, eTVC, applies brake force to the inside front wheel of the Fiesta ST when cornering to improve road holding and reduce understeer without affecting speed.

Elsewhere, new software controls the Fiesta ST’s balance in response to steering inputs under acceleration and braking, so that even when pushing the car to extremes you feel in control at all times. The result is one of the best-handling small cars you are ever likely to experience.

With a slick six-speed gearbox and rear disc brakes to boot, it provides both thrills and a comfortable ride.

I doubt whether there is another car out there with a price tag of around £17,000 that is so enjoyable.

To be honest, the previous Fiesta ST was no great shakes, and a poor shadow of the Focus version. But that’s all changed now.

Such is this engine’s breadth that it is possible on B-road blasts to simply select third gear and let the huge power band do its stuff. This is the fastest production Fiesta ever built and unlike its comparatively weedy predecessor it is destined to be the stuff of legend in this price bracket.

Accompanying its performance is a new Sound Symposer that channels the engine note to the cabin to ensure the distinctive engine roar is integral to the driving experience. Oh, bliss.

There’s even an optional Mountune upgrade package that adds an extra 33bhp for just £599. The tweaks consist of a new airbox, a high-flow air filter and an engine remap, and can be done in less than an hour at any one of 120 Mountune-specialist Ford dealers.

A hot-hatch like the Fiesta ST must look the part, too, and on the outside, it features a unique honeycomb grille, sharper headlight design and dramatic rear diffuser element. Inside, key elements are the grippy but comfortable Recaro seats, carbon fibre dashboard inserts, alloy-metal pedals and a spattering of ST detailing. My ST2 version (£1,000 more than the ST and well worth the extra spend) also came with red brake calipers lurking behind the alloy spokes.

The three-door Fiesta ST comes in Race Red or Spirit Blue metallic colours or a pearlescent Molten Orange and Spirit Blue, and it is the latter that shows off the car’s sharp styling and badging to best effect.

The ST (£16,995) comes with the aforementioned kit, plus DAB radio, daytime running lights and 17-inch alloy wheels. ST2 adds LED daytime running lights, partial leather seats, privacy glass, Ford start button and an enhanced audio set-up.

We’ve had a long-running love affair with hot-hatches in this country, and this one is simply sensational for the money.

Fact file

Ford Fiesta St-2

PRICE: £17,995 (ST £16,995)

ENGINE: 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol, developing 182PS

TRANSMISSION: Six-speed manual

PERFORMANCE: 0 to 62mph in 6.9 seconds; top speed 139mph

ECONOMY: 47.9mpg combined

CO2 RATING: 138g/km