Ford Fiesta Metal

If you thought a humble Ford Fiesta would be blown into the weeds by our line-up of performance cars, think again.Every time we drive the supermini, we’re reminded of the magic Ford’s engineers have sprinkled over its chassis.

If we’d had more time, our team of testers would have lapped the Anglesey circuit until the tank ran dry, because the beautifully balanced hatch is a real gem. On the road, its supple ride, perfectly weighted steering and sharp responses come to the fore. And its poise and composure make it confidence-inspiring and enjoyable in equal measure.

Switch to the track, and its 132bhp 1.6-litre engine is outgunned by the faster machinery in our line-up, but pure speed isn’t the deciding factor here. The Ford’s precision lets you concentrate on taking the correct line around the track. It’s addictive stuff, and before you know it you’ve completed far more laps than you intended.

The latest revisions to the range have seen the old S1600 model killed off, to be replaced by the Metal version you see in our pictures. Its marked out fromlesser models by smart alloys and lowered sports suspension, while racy side sills and chrome trim add to its sporty appearance.

Inside, you get a tactile leather- wrapped steering wheel and supportive seats. It feels like a genuine junior hot hatch and the performance backs this up.

It lapped the Anglesey track in 71.4 seconds – faster than we managed in the hot Mountune Fiesta in 2009, and only two- tenths slower than the more powerful MINI Cooper SD. The Fiesta Metal is no soft touch.

For such an accessible and affordable hatchback to make such a big impression on our team is a real achievement. Yes, there are plenty of faster and more capable cars in our countdown, but few of them provide such purity and raw enjoyment as the Fiesta.