I was promised the Focus ST some time back and all I can say is boy’o'boy was it worth the wait. Given the new 2008 face lift model, all the anticipation and expectations I’d built up, came to life. The ST is a hatch taken to a new level beyond HOT.
It must have been Jeremy Clarkson who first marked the lurid orange Focus ST the ‘ASBO’, the electric paint and bold styling are the perfect ingredients to create a unmissable car, which to be fair is what most people want. Personally, even though I’m rather fond of the electric orange, given today’s knife culture, I’d prefer to keep the showing off to a low, so the Performance Blue or Panther Black would be the ideal choices for me, creating both a discreet looking car with bold styling.
The nip tuck of the new 2008 model characterises a colour coded bumper featuring a reworked mesh grill, fog lights and new rounded front headlamps. An extra lip is noticeable on the bonnet and the arches bulge utilising the curves of the headlights. On the rear, clear lights have been employed, and the surrounding around the exhaust shows signs of diffuser.
The Focus ST certainly looks to impress.
The interiors not exactly overwhelming, for the price it’s roomy and sharp. The new set of instruments, revised stereo, ventilation controls and a new grained soft-touch synthetic material on the entire instrument panel, all add to a welcoming everyday interior.
At present, three versions of the Focus ST are available. The standard ST1 features chrome-tipped twin exhaust pipes, an auxiliary instrument panel, high-performance disc-brakes front and rear, racing pedals, Ford keyless ignition system and Easyfuel filler cap. The ST 2 adds Bi-Xenon headlights with washers and ESP with TA and EBA. The premium ST 3 completes the Focus with a Sony Audio 6-CD player and full leather trim.
An increasing number of car manufacturers today are beginning to implement a push to start button with keyless ignition, however what I was left dazzled about was when I saw no fuel cap. Fords impressive Easyfuel filler cap prevents the wrong fuel being filled into the cars tank.
Under the bonnet lies Volvo’s trusty 222bhp 2.5-litre engine tuned by Ford’s TeamRS, capable of enough power to see the Focus ST from 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds, quicker than the Golf GTI (7.2), but it falls short of the Astra VXR, Megane 225 and Civic Type R by fractions of a second, which in real-world driving would be hard to notice
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The 6 speed gearbox tries to impose economy, the official figures of 20.5 mpg, 41.5 mpg and 30.4 mpg for the urban, extra-urban and combined may drive you out of pocket, still you just can’t help yourself, put your foot down and listen to the refined engine growl with a hint of turbo whistle.
With the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Traction Assist, driving the ST through the country and town, I felt extremely confident; I couldn’t feel any under or over steer and the ST takes most humps and bumps without a spasm.
Like most hot hatches the ST has only four seats, the sculpted cushion between the rear seats provide extra support and better shoulder-room. Getting in and out of the rear of the 3-door version can be a little awkward as the front Recaro seats have such stocky side support that the seats don’t fold forward very far.
Read the ST and it’ll tell you, don’t buy me unless you want aggressive style, plenty of speed and spirited performance, everyday. The Focus ST is sure to put a smile on your face, every time.
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