What better way to say goodbye to an old friend than with a high performance special?

Time is running out for the Ford Fiesta. With the all-new model now officially unveiled, the blue oval is gearing up to write the next chapter in the history of its small car line-up.

But what will become of the current model? A lick of paint and an interest-free finance deal is how most manufacturers usually send off a car in its final year in the showroom – but not Ford. Instead, the firm has teamed up with Mountune Racing to develop a performance pack that looks sure to give the Fiesta the send-off it deserves, with a special flagship version of the hot ST.

To further improve the appeal of the package, the kit can be applied in two distinctive steps. Stage 1 features a high-flow induction system, performance exhaust and engine management tweak, lifting the power of the 2.0-litre normally aspirated Duratec engine from 150bhp to 165bhp.

Stage 2 goes further by adding new camshafts and valve springs to liberate 185bhp. Both can be fitted to new or used STs, but best of all, they don’t affect your existing manufacturer warranty and come with a yer’s cover of their own.

Our test car arrived with the Stage 2 performance upgrade, as well as sports suspension supplied by German tuning expert KW and figure-hugging Recaro sports seats.

The steering is accurate and turn-in sharpened, with the 30mm drop in ride height adding more mid-corner control to an already light and nimble package. And then there’s the performance of the 185bhp engine. It really does feel a full second quicker from 0-60mph than the standard car, as Ford claims with its 6.9-second time. But more than that, it’s responsive and willing to rev, especially above 4,500rpm.

Thanks to those new sport camshafts, it rasps and pops like a junior rally car. The only real niggle is that the addition of a sixth gear would improve refinement at speed.

The performance upgrades are a tempting proposition for those who already have a Fiesta ST parked on their driveway. Ignore the comfortable yet unnecessary Recaro seats, opt for just the sports suspension and Stage 2 performance kit, and you’ll have a genuinely exciting car. And while it will be far from refined, it’s sure to put more smiles on your face than any other supermini hot hatch.