Here's an interesting, hypothetical match-up: a professional driver in a Ford Fiesta ST hot-hatch is given a 100-yard head start, and must keep ahead of an ordinary Joe in a Chevrolet Corvette C7 on a road course. Can he do it?
Power Automedia decided to answer that question the only way they knew how: with a real-world race at Willow Springs International Motorsports Park. They put Formula Drift driver Conrad Grunewald in a Ford Fiesta ST, and an average motorist in a Corvette Stingray, sending both out for two complete laps of Willow Springs Raceway. The battle that ensued is a testament to the hatchback underdog's supreme handling and road-holding.
Let's talk about the power gap, shall we? The Ford Fiesta ST - propelled by a turbocharged, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine - produces a max of 197 horsepower on overboost. The Chevrolet Corvette, meanwhile, uses a normally-aspirated, 6.2-liter pushrod V8 to pump out 460 horsepower. That's greater than 130% more power output, with no chance of turbo lag.
Obviously, the Ford Fiesta ST's 100-yard head start was warranted. Otherwise, the Corvette would easily outgun the hot-hatch on the main straight, and likely stay there.
Even with the handicap, was Conrad Grunewald able to keep the Ford Fiesta ST ahead of the much-more-powerful Corvette C7 Stingray? Watch the video to find out.
It would use those pickups to inspect roads and dams.
The rear brake pads may have been manufactured incorrectly.
The tiny little off-roader won't be sold in North America, however.
It covers vehicles that haven't fallen under existing recalls.