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GET READY TO BE TANGO’D This 150mph hot hatch went on sale at the beginning of October but dealers do not get their cars until December and delivery of customer cars will start from 1 January 2006. Ford says they will have a minimum of 6,000 Focus STs available for UK customers in 2006 and the majority of those sales will be for the three door version rather than the more family friendly five door layout. Ford also expect the mid range specification ST-2 to account for 85 per cent of sales and overall the sporty Focus is likely to be driven by retail customer rather than company car users who might have a problem justifying to their Fleet Managers why they need a go faster Focus. Although Electric Orange has been the halo colour for marketing purposes to date, Performance Blue is another high profile colour to be used to maintain the ST’s profile during 2006. For customers who want another colour the ST also comes in Panther Black, Colorado Red and Sea Grey. However the majority of customers placing orders seem to have been attracted to Electric Orange and with only 500 units of the ST in this colour available, dealers are already having to switch sell to other colour options. In reality I’d rather have a more low profile colour. Be sure PC Plod will also have seen the publicity for the ST and will be only too aware that an orange car might well be worthwhile following. Focus ST prices start from £17,495 for the three-door and rise up to £20,095 for the ST-3 five door. The expected main selling model, the ST-3 three door, costs £18,495. All versions use the Volvo sourced 2.5-litre, five-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 225PS (222bhp) of power and an impressive 320Nm (236lb ft) of torque from just 1600rpm. This unit will give the relatively new but dull Focus range a real shot in the arm as far as image and performance goes. Focus maybe the UK’s best selling range of cars but they lack charisma and road image although they drive really well. There is nothing to choose in handling between the standard Focus, VW Golf or Vauxhall Astra ranges, Ford just doesn’t seem to have the badge appeal with the Focus. Even with the ST, Ford is still going to find it will have to battle against the highly rated Golf GTi and the Astra VXR for sales. Which one of the big three hot hatches a customers buys depends on individual choice. The devil is in the detail because like for like there is very little difference in price or performance. It will be down to badge appeal and I suspect would be Golf GTi owners would not be seen driving a Ford so it will be left to Ford and Vauxhall to battle it out for the attentions of the hardcore petrol heads. The Focus ST is a product of the Ford Team RS, the company’s UK based racing and performance division. The aim has been to produce a high performance car for the performance enthusiast without compromising day-today comfort and practicality. In real life that it exactly what they have done. We know the Focus is one of the best handling cars in its sector. Beef up the bodyshell, suspension, brakes, lower the ride height, add 18 inch alloy wheels, a large rear spoiler, give it a sporty interior including Recaro sports seats, add a powerful turbocharged petrol engine with a close ratio six-speed transmission and the sporting credentials are there. It is a masterclass in packaging. The ST-2 specification adds a better sound system, Xenon headlights, heated front screen and electronic traction and stability controls. The ST-3 adds electrically adjustable front seats, full leather trim and a better CD autochanger, all logical steps on the pricing ladder. Driven on the quiet and busy public roads and on a circuit the final impression I was left with is how well the Focus ST flows as a relatively good high performance car. It is not so needle sharp or agile on the circuit where turn-in at corners and grip is essential but on the open road the car is well settled. The suspension, although stiffer than the standard Focus, absorbs bumps and pothole with ease and the car doesn’t get unsettled on poor surfaces. The big advantage the ST has over both the Golf GTi and the Astra VXR is the power delivery with a huge amount of torque available over a wide power band. It will pull from very low rpm in fifth gear quite happily and it makes for easy overtaking on our bendy and twisting UK roads. It is a very good everyday high performance car that is not frantic to drive and much more flexible in heavy traffic conditions in town. Pushed hard on a circuit it has plenty of grunt to get out of corners but it runs out of steam above 4000rpm from the relatively slow revving engine although the figures show it will get eventually to 150mph. Torque-steer is relatively low as well and the power boost from the turbocharger is progressive rather than coming in with a bang. The lasting impression is that the Focus ST is a practical fun car to drive day in day out, a good all-rounder. For me it comes into its own when driving along unfamiliar B roads where the handling and power delivery excel. The equipment package is good value for money and its looks impressive as well apart from the bright orange paintwork. I might place it second to a Golf GTi just because I think the Golf GTi brand is currently more desirable than a Focus ST and both are more sociable to drive than the frenetic madcap Astra VXR. MILESTONES: Ford Focus ST-2 3-Door. Price £18,495. Engine: 2.5-litre, five-cylinder, DOHC, in-line, turbocharged petrol, 225PS at 6,100rpm, 320Nm of Torque from 1,600rpm,
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