The new Ford Fiesta ST200 is a fitting finale to what is popularly lauded as one of the greatest hatchbacks of all time. The ST200 is the last Fiesta design to roll off the Cologne, Germany production line before Ford starts engineering the new, eighth-generation cars later this year. It is also likely to make a new ST soon after that. The Ford Fiesta ST200 is a faster, more powerful version of our favorite small fiery hatch.

Ford Fiesta ST200 Performance

Performance-wise, the ST is proven by the numerous awards it has won over the years. Originally just 400 examples were to be built -- all in the same color and with the same, every-box-ticked spec. However, early demand saw that rise to a number Ford has yet to officially reveal.

Much of that demand came from the UK, where the regular Fiesta is at present the country's best-selling car. ST200 sports a unique "storm gray" paint and comes with matching wheels to help it stand out from the rest of the Fiesta range, according to International Business Times.

More Over Boost & Less Overdrive

The ST200 is a mild upgrade, instead of a comprehensive reworking, with power supported by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine quoted without the additional oomph of the 20-second "overboost" period. Ford confirms that the 182-HP European-spec engine and the 197-HP rest-of-world version like the one sold in the US are effectively identical. The official output of the ST200 is now 197 horsepower, so the 200 badge allows some rounding.

The ST200 feels predictably punchier than the standard ST. The solid midrange mostly disguises that it's not keen on revving to the 6500-rpm limiter. It still feels as if it has a big flywheel, too, hanging on to revs steadfastly after the driver lifts off the accelerator to shift. For a super-hot hatch, ST200 badge and gray paint doesn't come cheap at around £22,685 (about $29,000), shares Car And Driver.