FORD

Focus ST

Zeus, Jupiter, Thor, Indra. The god of the storm has many names. In 2019, one was added, the Ford Focus ST. It sounds like thunder, goes like lightning and drives almost divinely well.
Those poor tires. And that pathetic asphalt. When the Ford Focus ST both slaps again with 420 pounding Newton meters, it's hard not to feel sorry for both the rubber under the car and the asphalt they roll over. Or skating, of course, because that happens regularly with so much power. The 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine of the new Ford Focus ST delivers so much power that even the combination of an electronically controlled limited slip differential and 235 millimeter wide Michelins sometimes fails to get decent on the tarmac. This is immediately the big difference with the previous ST, which got its power only very incidentally decent on the asphalt. In that respect, the new version has become a much more serious hot hatchback.



Hyper-direct control
The Focus ST has different driving modes, but they cannot be configured separately. Too bad, because considering the stiffness of the chassis, it is conceivable that you want the electronically controlled limited slip differential to be at its best and the automatic intermediate throttle function of the engine "on" and the dampers not on the hard setting. But that is not possible and that is a missed opportunity. Nevertheless, you can feel Ford's decades of experience with raised hatchbacks back in the new ST. There is a softening edge in the dampers. Bad asphalt does not disturb the ST as a result and although this car can also be driven with precision, there is an even deeper layer underneath. Due to the light, hyper-direct steering and the lack of understeer, the Focus is just as easily tempted to a breaking rear. Enough to push the nose in and nail it to the apex with the gas.



The rear stabilizes, but remains light due to the enormous traction of the front axle and it looks like the ST can run on a Euro coin. The chassis is incredibly pliable for a front-wheel drive, which makes the Ford challenging. After all, with the ESP on, such slips are nipped in the bud. The steering should offer a bit more feeling, but here too the Focus does not leave any significant points. The whole package is hugely balanced and competent and at times feels more like an RS than an ST.



Experience
There's another reason the letters R and S sometimes creep out of your mind, as the 2.3-liter four-cylinder is basically the same as in the outgoing RS. Although we were not always enthusiastic about that relatively large engine, the four-burner is getting better. Various changes have been made compared to the RS block, including a throttle that can remain open in Sport mode when the gas is released. This has the advantage that the turbo requires less wind-up time during reprisals and that improves the response. The 2.3 is still not razor-sharp on the gas, but it is a clear step forward. What remains is the rather narrow optimal working area. Only at 2,000 rpm is there real life and between 3,000 and 5,000 revolutions the engine does its best work, then peaks at 280 hp. As said, the engine pulls so hard that you fear the drive shafts. However, the speed limiter direction drops quickly. It means that you mainly drive it on torque. Too bad, given the fine shifting six-speed gearbox. It makes little difference to performance. The experience suffers a bit, which unfortunately is not fully compensated by the sound. On board it almost sounds like an artificial five-cylinder, from the outside it is all quite disappointing.



Space
The Focus offers space and a well-finished interior. In addition, the sports seats are comfortable and spacious, while the SYNC3 multimedia system is modern. Ford offers things like adaptive cruise control, blind spot sensor and road sign recognition, albeit optional. As we are used to from the brand with the blue oval, the option prices are fortunately not too bad. However, the starting price is not, because it is a solid € 49,160. Then the Performance Pack is added and in the case of our test car also the head-up display, keyless entry, wireless charging option, the aforementioned safety systems and some other things. Below the line is the amount of € 54,835. 

Courtesy: Diego Meadows, Netherlands