FOCUS ST170

One of the great unsung hot hatches of the early 2000s, it’s incredible that the ST170 is still available to buy for under £2,000. That ST170-spec engine had a lot of development work put into it; branded a ‘Duratec-ST’, it’s actually a Zetec-based unit of the kind you’d find in a different state of tune in the Focus RS. Built on the base of the 130bhp-spec Zetec, it features a high-flow aluminium head with bigger valves and stiffer springs, higher lift cams, continuously-variable intake valve timing, high-compression pistons and forged rods, dual-state intake with long runners for low-end torque and short ones for peak power… it all adds up to 170bhp, hence the name. You also got a peach of a chassis, a 6-speed Getrag manual, 15-spoke 17in wheels, and 300mm front brakes. A real driver’s car, and a future classic for sure.

VITAL STATISTICS

MADE 2002 to 2005 PRICE WHEN NEW £15,910 to £17,260 PRICE NOW £250 to £3,000 POWER 171bhp @ 7000rpm TORQUE 145lb.ft @ 5500rpm TOP SPEED 134mph 0-60MPH 7.9 seconds