ST takes Ford Focus on a sporting twist for the better

While having been left ‘unmoved’ by the basic Ford Focus, reports Iain Robertson, the significantly more focused ST variant continues a positive stance, from where the previous generation car left off and the news is mostly good, which is a relief.

Landing at Le Castellet airport (alongside the current French GP circuit), in late-spring 2005, to drive the all-new Ford Focus (mark two) ST, powered by a Volvo 2.5-litre 5-cylinder petrol-turbo engine, its 225bhp enabled a 0-60mph dash in 6.4s and a top speed of 152mph. It was packed with character and charisma in a way that, as good as it was, the subsequent mark three, 2012 model, with estate car too, failed to replicate.

Due to the popularity of the Focus, discounting the purposeful RS model, the company needs a range flag-bearer in the latest ST. Powered in its new guise by the 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine that develops a heady 277bhp and a useful 309lbs ft of torque (35.7mpg; 179g/km CO2), an initial drive session reveals that the new model more than meets muster. Two engine options are available, with the 2.0-litre diesel offering 187bhp/295lbs ft (58.8mpg; 125g/km), although I shall test the latter in due course.


The revised and punchier petrol engine is wondrously free-revving and despatches the 0-60mph sprint in just 5.4s, before peaking at a maximum of 162mph. Allied to it is an anti-lag system that ensures a near instant reaction to throttle depression by maintaining compressor spin speed and enabling boost to build faster. Naturally, it is accompanied by pops and bangs from the exhaust system, which appear less odd on the 5-door hatch, than the estate car version.

The mark four version of the Focus is longer and wider than before; the long wheelbase helping the car’s overall dynamic balance, while also providing significantly greater cabin space. Driving through a six-speed manual gearbox that features reduced throws between ratios, accessing the available performance is not just easier but markedly preferable to the standard offering.


Despite retaining the standard Focus’s spring rates, the front dampers are 20% stiffer, with the rears at +13% (the estate car obtains a slightly different geometry to account for its load-carrying potential). The upshot, working with a quicker steering rack, is dramatically improved handling, roadholding and ride comfort. For a car possessing overtly sporting intentions, the overall dynamic envelope is outstanding, aided by the Borg-Warner developed eLSD traction-enhancing technology. Torque vectoring, which applies the brakes autonomously and seamlessly to retain cornering stability and agility, is a standard feature. Bump-thump is kept to a low ebb, while torque steer is virtually absent.


Three driving modes are available for the first time and, if you opt for the Performance Pack (which also provides red brake callipers) a fourth Track setting is applied. Overall, the new Focus ST benefits from apposite chassis refettling that hikes it by a good margin above the rest of the range. It could be the hot hatch of the year, so significant are the changes.

MSG Summary

Priced from (pre-discount) £26,495, the latest Ford Focus ST is a most rewarding car to drive and is every bit as good as a Golf GTi. We shall have a full road test of the TDi version soon.

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