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| Ford's latest Focus ST in Orange Fury exterior colour |
Ford's Focus ST blends Track performance with everyday use, writes Trish Whelan.
Ford Ireland say their Focus model is the best car they have ever made but here we’re dealing with a different breed of Focus, developed by Ford Performance.
This new Focus ST is the most ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ version yet, able to switch from refined tourer to focussed performance car at the push of a button as the company have incorporated what they learnt from their Ford GT supercar and the Focus RS to develop this mid-size performance car.
Motorists who like plenty of power in their car when they need it for a blast at weekends, but who also want a good family car for everyday use, can have the best of both worlds with the New Ford Focus ST which blends legitimate track-day performance and everyday usability.
The hot hatch is developed to be as comfortable as it is fun to drive with a very responsive steering system, fast acceleration and with class-leading roominess and excellent refinement of the standard Focus range but with an upscale interior that balances everyday practicality with a true sport driving experience.
Think nimble hot-hatchback thrills in a stylish, comfy and practical family car and you’ll get my drift.
The exterior differs from the standard model with special colours to show its strong styling like Ford Performance Blue and Orange Fury, alongside Frozen White, Magnetic grey, Race Red, Ruby Red and Shadow Black. You can opt for 18-inch Dark Sparkle and Magnetite Matt alloy wheel designs or a 19-inch wheel in Magnetite Matt as on my review car.
In addition to the sports steering wheel and the snug fitting Recaro sports seats (you get a choice of leather or partial leather), the interior boosts up the sporty atmosphere with an ST-embossed aluminium gear knob and scuff plates, alloy pedals, some metallic and satin silver decorative elements, and metal grey stitching for the seats, door inserts and centre console soft side pads. You absolutely know that you are in an ST vehicle.
Ford’s new C2 platform is enhanced with unique suspension, braking and powertrain configurations for the most responsive and agile Focus ST driving experience ever - on the road or track. Drivers will find nothing wanting with the Focus ST 2 as it has been enhanced with many advanced sports technologies for best-ever performance and agility.
Two series are offered: ST-2 and ST-3 with a choice of petrol or diesel powertrains and hatchback or wagon bodystyles.
Standard features on the diesel ST-2 include 18-inch alloys with ST design, front lower grille, high gloss black; front and rear parking sensors; FordPass Connect; gauges integrated in a cluster 4.2-inch TFT colour screen; partial leather Recaro Performance seats. The ST-3 (from €43,253) adds 19-inch alloys, painted calipers; fixed full LED headlamps; a rear view camera, full leather Recaro seats; and power 4-way driver/passenger seats.
Luggage space is 541 litres with a full size spare and 575 with a skinny spare.
Ford’s SYNC 3 connectivity system allows you control the radio, navigation and climate functions as well as connected smartphones using voice commands supported by an 8-inch colour touchscreen. The system is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. Ford PassConnect technology turns the car into a mobile WiFi hotspot with connectivity for up to 10 devices.
A new engine line-up means up to 12 per cent more power and 17 per cent more torque compared with the previous generation of the model.
Power is from a 280hp 2.3-litre all-aluminium EcoBoost petrol engine with six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic transmission. This was my review car. It is the most powerful engine ever offered for a Focus ST delivering 280hp and 420 Nm of torque with a sprint time of 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds for the five-door model.
The diesel 190hp 2.0 EcoBlue ST-2 (from €39,595) is the most powerful diesel engine ever for a Focus model delivering peak power at 3,500 rpm and 400 Nm of torque between 2,000rpm and 3,000rpm. 0-100 takes 7.6 seconds.
Combined fuel consumption is 7.9 L/100kms for the 2.3 litre engine; 4.8 L/100kms for the 2.0-litre version.
Selectable drive modes are a first for Focus ST. They are Slippery/Wet, Normal, Sport and Track.
On the road, I loved driving this car and found the six-speed manual gearbox to have a sportier feel with a short shift throw compared with the standard new Focus. It also delivered a feisty performance when it was safe to do so while being very well-mannered driving through towns and built-up areas. The fact that the ride height has been reduced by 10mm allows very efficient road-holding and response while the electric power assisted steering system is way faster than that in the standard Focus.The ST is the first Ford front-wheel drive electronic limited-slip differential that improves traction and stability. Special Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres are used.
Driver assist technologies include Active Park Assist 2 with Park-Out Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Auto High Beam, Blind Spot alert and Cross Traffic alert, Forward Collision Warning, front and rear sensors, a head-up display, Hill Launch Assist, Pre-Collision Braking/ with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection, a rear wide-view camera and a Wrong Way Alert.
My car also had a B&O PLAY Sound System, an electric parking brake, Ford Pass Connect, a hands-free tailgate, heated steering wheel, Openable panorama roof, a rotary gear shift dial, SYNC 3 with 8-inch touchscreen and a wireless charging pad.
Ford Performance director, Europe, Leo Roeks says the new Focus ST is the most ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ yet, able to switch from refined tourer to focussed performance car at the push of a button as they have incorporated what they have learnt from their Ford GT supercar and the Focus RS to develop this mid-size performance car. It also gets some anti-lag technology from the F-150 Raptor pick-up for immediate power in Sport and Track Drive Modes.
While you can have an entry level Focus priced from €23,365 (excluding delivery and related charges), the price for my 2.3 ST-2 model is €41,099. Additional options included the Performance Pack at €1,500 (includes rev matching, launch control, performance suspension, ambient light, and those flashy red brake callipers). The Heads-Up display on my car was another €530. It was well worth the extra money as was the rear wide-view camera at €100. The Ford Performance Blue exterior paint it will set you back another €1,500. These optional extras took the price of my car, as tested, to €44,729.
The new Focus ST is built at Ford’s Saarlouis assembly plant in Germany following a €600 million investment.
