Swapping the roads around Spa for the lanes of Sussex is, in places, a little disappointing. There are several craters on my commute in to the Motor Circuit that wouldn’t look out of place on the moon, holes in the ground that could prove fatal to the Michelin Pilot Super Sport 205/40 R18 tyres, or cleave away a chunk of alloy from the 18-inch wheels.
On the other hand, the road’s imperfections prove just how polished the ST is, and how good some of the local roads really are.
Firstly, despite being labelled a ‘hot hatch’ the ST is, ultimately, still a Ford Fiesta, and that is in no way meant to be derogatory. Even with the larger, optional 18-inch wheels (a £425 option over the standard 17-inchers) the ST doesn’t ruin your back or distribute whatever drink you’ve put in the cupholder all over the floor. It’s firmer, for sure, but there’s a ride quality in the Fiesta that some hot hatch manufacturers just can’t replicate; firm and unforgiving does not a hot hatchback make.