As the ultimate showcase of real-world corners, cambers and crests tackled at race-track speeds, the Nürburgring Norschleife always has the capacity to amaze. And stepping into this iconic arena we find AET Motorsport, fast Ford tuning specialists who have put together one hell of a Fiesta. Taking a 2015 Fiesta ST as a base, they’ve upgraded it with their own proprietary VT330R hybrid turbo, a VUDU downpipe, ITG induction kit, Airtec Stage 3 intercooler, Cobra Sport exhaust, VUDU rear engine mount, and a Turbosmart recirc valve – all of which furnishes it with a mighty 330bhp. In order to help deploy all of this startling thrust, the chassis and drivetrain have been upgraded with a VUDU upper strut brace, TAROX 6-pot brake kit with 2-piece discs, VUDU short-shift, adjustable KW coilovers, Summit front and rear lower strut braces, a Kaaz LSD and a short final drive. With all of these top-flight upgrades working in harmony, the 330bhp ST was able to clock up a Nordschleife lap time of 8m15s – to put that in context, it’s only two seconds slower than the 507bhp Mercedes C63 AMG!
The suite of AET upgrades, if all bought together, adds up to £10,378, while a good used ST of this age can be found for around £10k – meaning that you can worry supercars around the ’Ring in a £20k build. Supercars? Yes, AET Motorsport are confident of that: “We’re taking the car back to the Nürburgring,” says company director Nick Cook, who readily admits that this timed lap was his first ever time driving the famous circuit. “I honestly believe we can easily knock 30 seconds off our time, which would see us contending with the Pagani Zonda S, Audi R8 5.2 quattro and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.” Which makes an excellent pub boast for a Fiesta, doesn’t it? Head to www.fastfordmag.co.uk to see a video of the ST in action.
This feisty Fiesta can lap the Nürburgring in supercar-worrying times.
Nick and AET are planning to return to the ‘Ring soon, where they hope to knock as much as 30-seconds of that impressive lap time.
