Seriously fast and a brilliant chassis equals a great drive; looks good; terrific interior; value
Conservative exhaust note (although some may be happy with that)
Want to know what we like about the latest updated Ford Focus ST? That’s easy – everything.
Seriously there is no downside to Ford’s ripping hot hatch. It significantly undercuts rivals in price but isn’t compromised for performance or specifications.
Ford Focus ST Overview
Now in Australia is the updated LZ model Ford Focus ST available in one specification (five-door hatchback, six-speed manual) priced at $38,990. And optional ‘Technology Pack’ ($2,000) adds Active City Stop, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Keeping Aid, Lane Departure Warning, Driver Impairment Monitor, and Auto High Beam Headlights.
The Focus ST is a creation of Ford Germany’s Ford Team RS, part of Ford’s Global Performance Vehicle Group. It is a European hot hatch which matches the best from Germany in every department – and that’s not over-stating things.
For the updated model, considerable work went into even sharper driving dynamics. So we have significant recalibration for both suspension and steering.
Ford Focus ST Engine
No changes under the bonnet for the Ford Focus ST. Power comes from Ford’s 2.0-litre turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder offering 184kW of power at 5500rpm and peak torque of 360Nm (with overboost) from 2000 – 4500rpm.
Drive is via a six-speed manual transmission.
Combined-cycle fuel consumption scores 7.3l/100kms.
Ford Focus ST The Interior
In our eyes the regular Ford Focus range has the best-in-segment interior design but the ST really takes off into the stratosphere with its sporty touches.
Headline act are the tight leather and cloth-trimmed front Recaro sports seats. With contrasting stitching and embroidered ‘ST’ and ‘Recaro’ logos, they look great and naturally cosset you when cornering hard.
Then there is the thick, leather-wrapped, flat-bottom sports steering wheel. It’s perfectly sized and offers rake/each adjustment for a driving position which is top-notch.
Centre dashboard is a secondary instrument display for oil temperature, oil pressure and turbocharger boost. The RS also scores its own unique instruments but still in the usual nice, curved Focus binnacle.
Centre stack sees an eight-inch colour touchscreen for the satellite navigation and the climate control and audio controls.
Rear seat accommodation is on-par with others in this segment.
Likewise luggage capacity which rates at 316-litres with the rear seat in-place or 1215-litres when folded flat.
Ford Focus ST Exterior & Styling
Styling changes for the LZ model Ford Focus were significant – headlined by the new Ford ‘corporate grille. Not a lot of specific styling changes for the updated ST model – but of course, like its predecessor the ST stands-out from other Focus models – it’s lower, wider and there’s a new sculptured bonnet, slimmer headlights and rectangular fog-lights.
There’s also body-colored side skirts, a rear diffuser with centre twin exhaust pipes and a roof spoiler.
Our test car was painted in the new ‘Stealth’ colour (a dark grey which drew plenty of comment and which is exclusive to the ST). The other new colour is ‘Deep Impact Blue’.
Otherwise there are new 18-inch alloy wheels and red brake calipers front and rear.
Ford Focus ST On The Road
Wrapped in that figure-hugging Recaro seat and with the thick flat-bottom steering wheel and pedals just right, the Ford Focus ST instantly makes you feel like you’re set for some serious driving. And if that is your want it delivers big time.
Around a race circuit the Ford Focus ST wouldn’t have the bark and abruptness of say the Renault Megane RS but we reckon lap times would be very close – this thing is fast and responsive. And behind the wheel the Focus ST certainly lets you know this is a fair-dinkum hot hatch with –despite torque vectoring – some pulling at the wheel when you nail the throttle.
But that torque vectoring is definitely a good thing for a front driver with 360Nm of turbocharged goodness on-tap. Stamp on the throttle mid-turn in a second gear corner and you can feel the system working to keep the Ford Focus ST planted and accelerating hard.
Ford’s turbo 2.0-litre is a beauty – it’s especially strong mid-range. We must say that performance was significantly helped by the slick-shifting six-speeder – unlike some rivals which can be notchy and slow as they battle to handle this much torque, the Focus ST glides through the gears in any circumstance.
It’s no exaggeration to say the two runs over our high-speed mountain roads test loop in the Ford Focus ST rank amongst the best of any mass production car we’ve tested. In fact we recalled the A45 AMG Mercedes-Benz – and that has all-wheel-drive and retails for $75,400!
The grippy 18-inch made-in-Germany Goodyear Eagles and Ford’s tweaked suspension and steering calibration have done the trick. The Ford Focus ST is very direct (just 1.8 turns lock-to-lock on the steering) and delivered instant turn-in with little body roll and brilliant mid-corner poise – naturally some damp patches saw the ESC doing plenty of work but even so the balance and speed was very, very impressive.
Around town clever engine management calibration saw the Ford Focus ST very tractable and happy to amble along in the traffic. At slow speeds the sporty suspension calibration did mean the ride was noticeably firm over speed humps – just like any decent hot hatch.
Ford Focus ST issues
It’s a minor point we know, but the Ford Focus ST could do with a harder edge for the exhaust note. Those stylish twin pipes lurking under the middle of the rear bumper need some snap and crack like the Golf GTI.
Ford Focus ST Verdict
In a field full of great cars, by any measure the latest Ford Focus ST stakes a claim to being the best of the hot hatches in this price league. Yep it really is that good.
Driving dynamics are top shelf, the updated looks are awesome and when you consider the standard specifications…well it really is a great buy at $38,990.
Without doubt a Car Showroom Favourite.
Ford Focus ST The Competition
As far as www.carshowroom.com.au is concerned Renault’s Megane RS is the benchmark in this league. You get 195kW/360Nm from Renault’s turbocharged 2.0-litre and the latest Megane chassis is a pearler. Apart from the rip-snorting driving dynamics, the Megane also stands out for interior style. But it is a bit pricier than the Ford Focus ST – starting from $43,990.
And of course the other contender is the Volkswagen Golf GTI. Starting from $41,490, the Golf is Volkswagen at its best and the glorious 162kW/350Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre boasts a killer exhaust note – all crackles and pops when working hard – brilliant.
Sharing the same engine as the Golf GTI and sharply priced from $36,490 the Skoda Octavia RS should be on your list.
