Ford in focus with the stunning ST
The ‘RS’ appellation was the one that sorted these cars out from the normal day-to-day chaff built on Ford’s many production lines and it usually signified something special indeed which not only appealed by their often-outrageous styling, but with a guarantee of performance which was rarely matched elsewhere.
OK, so the Golf GTi and its many derivatives provided the bulwark of the opposition to Ford’s many hot hatchbacks down the years, invariably, however, it was those with the blue oval on their grilles which won the emotional battle when it came to the loyalty of the fans.
Ford has broadened their performance portfolio in recent years with the addition of the ST badge to the range. These cars normally trod a middle-ground path between the humdrum and the habitually earth-shattering performers with the RS insignia on them, but what a middle ground it gestated into.
The Fiesta ST has already become legendary as one of the best small sports hatchbacks ever to eat road, while until recently there were two ST versions of the Focus, which provided punters with a cutting edge sporty hatchbacks that could also double up as a daily driver.
Ford has actually expanded the remit of the ST, now it has developed into its third generation, what with both estate and diesel variants, but the one we’re concerning ourselves with this week is the five-door hatch with the new two-litre, four-cylinder turbo petrol engine. And it is a cracker.
Some Ford bluebloods might cavil at the fact engine capacity has been cut and the old — and resonant — five pot has been cast aside, but I can assure all that the two litre EcoBoost unit which has replaced it is every bit as engaging — and exciting — as its predecessor.
Power has actually been increased to 247bhp and the whole gamut of performance figures massaged upwards.
There is now some 360 Nm of torque available between 2,000 and 4,500 rpm, the 0-100kph dash takes just 6.5 seconds and top speed is 248kph. On top of that, Ford has squeezed more economy out of the ST and it will now return 6.8 l/100km (41mpg) and it also emits 159 g/km.
Sitting 10mm lower than a standard Focus, the ST has been fitted with revised dampers and anti-roll bars, all-round independent suspensions and a very direct electromechanical power steering system which required just two full turns to go from lock to lock.
These changes, eschewing as they do some of the RevoKnuckle trick differentials seen on the RS, might suggest Ford has not exactly poured technology into the ST, but when you drive the car you will find a beast which is as well sorted as any competitor and probably better than most.
The handling truly is fine-tuned and driver inputs to the steering are met with immediate, almost startling, responses from the car and this characteristic, along with the savage grip levels, provide the driver with the sort of confidence-inspiring chassis that could just drive them to the occasional bout of illegal behaviour.
Traditionalists might begrudge the fact the aural soundtrack — one of the most commented upon traits of the car while I had it and which might tell you something about how it was driven — is now synthetically fed into the cabin, but what the heck, it still sounds brilliant and gets the blood flowing. The booming presence of this ST will stay with those who’ve experienced it for many a long day.
In its ‘Deep Impact Blue’ overcoat, the ST truly looks the part and, from the one-piece trapezoidal grille through to the roof-mounted rear spoiler and the unique rear diffuser with centre-mounted dual exhaust pipes, it has more than enough of a visual impact to earmark it as being something special. The bespoke ST 18” alloys very much add to that feeling.
Ford has not skimped on kit either. The test car came with Ford’s generation 2 Sync infotainment system with an excellent 8” touchscreen, as well as Recaro seats with partial leather trim, ST scuff plates, LED running lights and auto lights and wipers.
The interior is as nice a place to be as there is in this segment and there is a full range of adjustment on the driver seat and steering column, so pretty much anyone can get comfortable behind the wheel, while the passengers are surprisingly well catered for space-wise in a car of this nature, though you would not really want to be a Harlem Globetrotter sitting in the rear, as headroom is a little on the tight side.
Some might say that Ford has been gazumped by such as Skoda and Seat — with the Octavia VRS and the Leon Cupra — in this particular market segment, but I do not believe that anyone who has been bitten by the blue oval’s performance bug down the years will for one minute consider ditching their heritage for what are in essence ‘lesser’ VWs.
No, the ST will fulfil their every requirement for performance and handling and more than match any expectations on practicality. And if that isn’t enough, then they can wait a few more months and get the really Hot Tamales when the Focus RS arrives on these shores.
For the moment though, the ST will do just fine.
The Cost: From €39,100.
The Engine: Smaller - at two litres - than its predecessor, but packs much more punch.
The Specification: Pretty much everything you’d want comes as standard.
The Overall Verdict: Top drawer.
