Ford’s Fiery New Focus ST Fitter than Before

The Focus ST has always been one of the leaders in the manual performance segment, with contenders like the VW Golf GTI (R412 300). So what has Ford done to improve this capable crusader? Even though the new Focus ST has undergone more of a mid-life facelift than a complete overhaul, there are some considerable changes to make the ST even leaner, meaner, sharper and more precise. From the front, the ST looks streamlined, sculpted and quite menacing. The taillights are slimmer, and the entire rear end of the ST seems tighter and tidier. The interior layout has been simplified to feel more orderly, with splashes of chrome to lighten up the somewhat sombre cabin. The new partly perforated, flat-bottomed steering wheel looks very fetching, as does the brushed aluminium head of the short-throw stick-shifter with red detailing.

The new Focus ST will be available in two variants: The New Focus ST1 (R 381 900) and New Focus ST3 (R 421 900). The flagship ST3 gets the full Monty, including heated, power adjustable leather Recaro sport seats, keyless entry, and Ford’s new SYNC2 infotainment system. Just like the SYNC system in the ST1, it’s voice activated, but SYNC2 features a high-resolution colour touch screen and a much wider range of functions. For example: If the cabin temperature is too cool, it can be adjusted per your verbal instruction. You can even ask for certain albums and songs to be played. If you’re not physically fiddling with a conventional audio sytem, it means you can pay all of your attention to driving. And why buy a Focus ST if driving is not your passion?

Apart from the aggressive body kit and changes to the cabin, the new Focus ST has been tweaked for better handling too. The steering has been recalibrated to give more feedback, and suspension is a firmer. Added to the ST’s Electronic Stability Control, is Ford’s all-new Enhanced Transitional Stability system. This gives the ST almost psychic powers, by predicting when the car might skid or slip, and will brake individual wheels to control the vehicle if you suddenly change direction. Electronic Torque Vectoring Control settings have been revised, for more traction as one corners, and to reduce understeer. And whether you’re a wannabe-racer or a more seasoned one, you can choose one of three ESC (Electronic Stability Control) system modes to suit your skill level: Standard Mode (all assistance systems active), Sport Mode (reduced system intervention), and Off Mode (no help whatsoever except Torque Vectoring – you’re on your own, Baby!)

To illustrate what a lithe and nimble little fire-breather the new Focus ST is, we drove a whole legion of ST3’s to Dezzi’s raceway from King Shaka International Airport in KZN. My co-driver and I agreed that the heavily bolstered Recaro seats may not be suited to wider bodies - they’d be better off in the new Focus 1.5 EcoBoost, perhaps. Pairing my iPhone to the SYNC2 system was almost instantaneous. My voice commands weren’t always understood, though, a problem for most of us South Africans, I presume.

We had quite a long drive to the raceway – a whole 160 km’s, mostly on the N2 highway, which gave us plenty of opportunity to experience the ST3 as a cruiser as well. Its suspension isn’t overly hard to make long trips uncomfortably bone-jarring. And let’s be honest – who has regular access to a racetrack? The fact that it has five doors also makes it practical, if the kids have to be driven around. The 2.0 litre EcoBoost engine’s pretty exhaust note fills the cabin as one accelerates, and even though performance figures of 184kW and 360Nm remain unchanged, it’s more efficient, with less emissions.

It was still raining when we arrived at Dezzi’s raceway, but as soon as the rain subsided, we were split into groups for a Ghymkana session, and to do laps around the raceway.  First up was Ghymkana, and as the ST3 slalomed around the orange cones with perfect composure, I attained a time of 45 seconds. The winner did it in just over 41, so I was not embarassed by my performance. The wet tarmac made it even more fun, as the tyres skidded when I pulled away every time.

Then came track time: One of Ford’s driving instructor first did a “slow” lap to show us the many blind, double-apex corners and hairpin bends that Dezzi’s raceway offers. It seems to me like the track was built by a crazy person, and it’s not an easy track to learn. When my turn came I mostly concentrated on not causing any damage to anyone’s person or property… but once I got the hang of it with most assistance systems off, I could not be stopped, and it was hard not to giggle like a teenage school girl as the ST3 wagged its tail with delight.

But how does it fare, spec wise, compared to arch-rival VW Golf GTI? From a price perspective the ST3 already wins hands down, if you take into consideration what you get as standard in the Focus. For a full list of specifications, go to www.ford.co.za

Every FocusST comes with a 4 year / 120 000 km warranty, 4 year / 80 000 km service plan, 3 years / unlimited km roadside assist, and a 5 year / unlimited km corrosion warranty.