The old Ford Focus ST built itself a solid reputation as a fast, fun and affordable hot hatch, so you’d think that for the all-new model Ford would stick to the tried and tested formula.
But instead Ford has replaced the characterful 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine of the old car with a four-cylinder turbocharged unit, while the talkative hydraulic steering has been replaced by an electric system and there's more performance-boosting gadgets than ever, too.
But what hasn’t changed is the Focus ST’s visual impact. Our early left-hand drive model was finished in a subtle black but, with a gaping mesh grille, a large centrally-mounted exhaust, rear spoiler and LED daytime running lights, it still looks every part the performance special.
The Focus ST has the figures to back up its looks, too. The 2.0-litre turbocharged EcoBoost engine produces 247bhp – that’s 25bhp more than old ST – and Ford puts the official 0-62mph time at 6.5 seconds. It feels like all the performance you’ll ever need from behind the wheel, with the sharp throttle helping to pin you back in your seat every time you touch the accelerator. A precise and easy to use six-speed gearbox is perfect for shifting up and down through the gears, too.
Ditching the five-cylinder engine - and the famous warbling engine note that came with it - was a big risk but there's no reason to worry. Ford’s engineers have fitted a butterfly valve in the exhaust, which helps release a noisy growl from the engine above 3,500rpm. Below that it’s whisper quiet, which is perfect for everyday usability.
This easygoing and everyday nature is something Ford has worked hard to achieve, and it shows in the perfectly judged suspension. It rides 10mm lower than a Titanium Focus and it’s set up to be firmer, too. But it’s still capable of soaking up bumps in the road, and there’s never a hint of the loud crashes that you occasionally get in a Renaultsport Megane 265.
Ford has also worked on reducing the amount of torque steer in the Focus ST, and it obviously works very well indeed as we never felt the wheel tugging at our hands, even under hard acceleration out of corners. Unlike the mechanical RevoKnuckle system in the old Focus RS, the new ST uses a bit of software in the electric power steering that cuts out any torque steer before it even reaches the driver.
The steering itself has lost some of the feel of the old car but it’s definitely a better set-up than in the Golf GTI. The variable-ratio rack ensures quick and accurate responses when you want them, which means you’ll be just as comfortable driving around town as you will be on a quick B-road blast.
And it feels perfectly at home on twisty roads thanks to the torque vectoring system on the front axle that mimics a limited slip diff. This means that the inside wheel is braked and torque is directed to the outside wheel during cornering. The result is less of a tendency to understeer and a sensation that you’re fired out of the corner when you floor the accelerator.
Once you’ve finished blasting around deserted back roads you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise when you come to fill up with fuel. Ford claims figures of 169g/km and 39.2mpg, which is a 20 per cent improvement over the old car.
In the hot-hatch segment, the margins of performance between models are so fine that price often plays a big part in the decision making process of buyers, and this is where the Focus ST could really shine. The five-door hatch model starts from £21,995 for the five-door model, which undercuts the Golf GTI by £3,920. Ford also offers an estate version that costs £23,095.
The basic price-tag gets you an ‘ST’ spec model, complete with Recaro sports seats, air-con and keyless-go. ST2 models get part-leather Recaros, dual-zone climate control and automatic lights. Range-topping ST3 models add full leather Recaro heated seats and bi-xenon headlights.
At a price that’s far cheaper than its main rivals but with driving dynamics that have the measure of the best in class, the Focus ST has the makings of a classic performance Ford. It also seems destined for a spot at the top of the hot-hatch segment for quite some time – at least until the all-new Golf GTI arrives late next year.
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4 spoke steering wheel, in a hot hatch?!!?!?!?!?!
5 Door and Estate?
Please!!! And they give it 5 Stars!!!
AE must have nice Blue Oval goodies on the way to their houses!
LOVE it! That Blue looks awesome.
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fastpep1, its a Ford therefore its rubbish, how old are you 12, Ford produce the best range of vehicles in the non premium sector, there is not one bad car in its range, they may not be the best performers or the best looking or the best build quality, but as an all round package they are very hard to beat. Perhaps when you are old enough to drive you will find out for yourself..
This is a capable car at a great price wrapped in awful packaging. What has Ford done to the best looking car from a decade ago?
Come on Ivor your late! here comes another Ford for you to rubbish, I'm terribly dissapointed, I was looing forward to having a good laugh at your usual drivel and you've let me down.
Fastpep1 you are a muppet. Why do you come on this website? You probably drive a Proton and think its the best thing since sliced bread. You slate nearly every company on different posts.
Has anyone seen Ivor, has he given up and thrown his self under nearest Focus in despair.
I for one can't wait for Ivor to come along and give us his bigoted opinion. Like Fastpep I dare say he's never actually driven one let alone looked inside one.
He will tell us how rubbish it is and that its built by Germans, and as a result no one will buy one.
Your journalistic skills are wasted!!
Iviiivvvoooorrrr??? Wherfore art thou? Hehehe, maybe Fastpep is Ivor's alter ego... LOL.
i think hopefully in a year or two this car will be able to be picked up for around 15k with any luck and fantastic value ...loads
better than a golf GTI with great looks
i think Ford are getting back to their best and about time too
22k looks very good value for what appears to be a well rounded performance car, well done Ford.
As max_b said above 22k is good value for the spec and car you get, but I can't help but feel the new focus ST (and Zetec-S) look a little bland compared to the old model.
so no surprises the ST gets five stars. I find this more appealing than the Next Golf GTI also featured on AE.
New ST looks smarter than the old version too.
It didn't work for Peugeot. And it still doesn't work for Ford. After so many people slagged off the French manufacturer for making such an ugly looking grille - why did Ford some years later think - "you know that Peugeot everyone slagged off? Let's make our next Focus look the same!" Dumb move. And Niloc - what do you mean - "Ivor, your late..."?? His late .. what? Doesn't make sense. Just like this Gumpy Froggy Focus. And I've had two previous gen STs which were handsome. Not this.
Sorry if I didn't make my self To clear, for those of you who don't understand Yorkshire English I made the remark because I fully expected Ivor to be first on the list to slag off a new Ford, he wasn't there by 09:30 PM so I thought he must be late getting out of bed. Tell me Dame Edna are you inclined to a 3 door or 5door ST, just curious.
Or maybe an estate car ST.
As much as I love what I am reading about this new ST I can't get on with that grill....just as Peugeot have got rid of their gaping mouth grills Ford start stciking them on their cars....shame.....
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There will always be critics when it comes to discussing the "everyman's" brand, but the truth is in my recent experience (my wife has the new Focus 1.0 125 Ecotec) Ford have upped their game. Considerably.
Yes, you still get some hard plastics (not as many as you once did), yes the salesmen do not wear Armani suits or offer you the same slick approach and gorgeous coffee as BMW, yes you still do not feel as special as you do when you buy a German brand but you need to look deeper.
I have owned and driven many German branded cars (and I know the Focus is made in Germany) and they have been unreliable, overpriced, and have not been as great an ownership proposition as I had originally intended.
The Focus ST has an advanced engine, has an excellent interior, is well speced for the price, and sounds like it will be fun to drive. Based on my experience of the 1.0 ecotec, if the ST offers a high power sporty chassis to the qualities on offer on the lesser Focus and it will be brilliant. Add to that that Ford will negotiate on price in some dealerships and it could be a winner!
Just because I have a familiy and am the wrong side of 40 doesn't mean 'hot hatches' don't interest me it is just that most of them don't suit me because they are too small.
Therefore I find it very interesting that Ford has decided to offer the estate this time. I had a Focus ST170 Estate 3 cars ago and have just ordered a new ST2 Estate in blue.
A 3 door looks better if a little less practical. I think the Mk III ST was very handsome and the shape looked even better in RS guise. So I am shocked that Ford have gone back wards with this wide mouth frog look. It's a much fussier styling all round too, which is a shame because they got the look right on the Mondeo and the little Fiesta. The gaping grille is a real turn off for me so I don't think I'll go for another one now. Trouble is - there isn't a car out there which I think looks drop dead gorgeous. The new TT in the right colours and spec can look good and the new AMG Merc C Class Coupe does look rather natty. Both however are way more expensive than a Focus. Can't think of a current mid range car I like to be honest. Will just have to sit tight with my current car can wait and see...
agree, I'll wait for next model/facelift of ST. Can't really cope with new design all around (only interior is much better then the old ST's! I envy that a bit!), stick with my
2007 Ford Focus ST 2.5i R5 20V (275PS)
...and they (journalist) say the 2.0 R4 16V sounds as good as the 2.5.... hmmm I doubt a bit...