Keeping it in Focus: part 1

The Focus continues to be a vital part of Ford’s sales armoury, with the latest versions packed full of technological features as well as offering class-leading performance and economy. John Oxley reports.

My first new car was a Ford Escort Mk1 RS1600. Until then I’d only had used cars, but the Escort represented new beginnings. And what a car; the world’s first production 16-valve double overhead camshaft engine, the specially-strengthened and stiffened bodywork from the Escort Mexico, with wider wheel arches to accommodate fatter wheels and tyres, extra suspension mods to stop the back end tramping from the huge (for its day) power output; the close ratio gearbox, big brakes, two side draught weber carburettors, and a big bore exhaust. Ford has long since followed a path of producing class-leading small cars, with the Escort followed by the Focus, which redefined small car handling, and sporting versions under the ST and RS labels fast following their more mundane relatives. And it’s to the latest Focus ST that we turn today, a car which over the years has grabbed the attention of those who want something more than a little extra. We won’t talk about the latest all-wheel drive Focus RS here, for that’s still to be seen on these shores, and any case moves into a different class altogether, aimed right up to the heady heights of the Mercedes AMG A 450. The first Focus ST I drove was fitted with the five-cylinder 2.5-litre engine from the Volvo range, and produced lots of power from its turbo-charged engine, albeit with more than a touch of turbo lag. However, the latest ST gets Ford’s direct injection 2-litre Ecoboost motor, laying down 184kw of power and massive torque of 360Nm through the front wheels (with overboost, 345Nm without), and so powerful is it that despite having Ford’s a speciallymodified torque vectoring system and a mighty traction control, still manages to torque steer if you’re not careful. It’s not new to the ST, though, for the engine/six-speed manual transmission package has been around a while now. However, what IS new is the new “Aston Martin” nose upgrade which brings it into line with other Ford models, notably the Fiesta, Mondeo, and Falcon, and features larger lower intakes, and a slimmer trapezoidal grille and more aggressively angular headlights, giving it a lower, wider look than its predecessor. One of the criticisms of the old Focus range was that its dashboard was too complicated, with lots of buttons, but the new ST – and the rest of the Focus family – now gets a new, simpler dashboard, incorporating the new Sync2 infotainment system that features an eightinch touch screen, voice commands and satellite navigation. It also gets a more upmarket feel thanks to the use of better and more soft-touch materials, but fortunately the distinctive triple gauge pod still dominates the dash. The Recaro front seats are also retained, and there’s no ways you’re going to move around in them no matter how hard you drive as they hold firmly and tightly. Of course, there’s no point in putting all that power into the ST unless you do some serious work on the suspension, and Ford has taken the already excellent Focus suspension and retuned the front shocks and added new front springs and stiffer bushes all round. There are also big disc brakes front and rear. The electric power steering has also been recalibrated, while the stability control system has been reprogrammed to allow for sportier driving. Technology has also been upgraded, and the latest ST comes with autonomous braking (now up to speeds of 50km/h), blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, a driver impairment monitor and auto high beam headlights. On the road, the ST is an absolute peach. Yes, it scrabbles for grip a bit at first, and it torque steers a bit, but this all adds to its appeal, and makes it a car YOU have to drive, not one which drives you. Superb turn-in, amazing grip in corners, awesome performance – it all adds up to a driver’s car without compromise. Yet at the same time the engine is superbly flexible, the ride quality good, and the overall comfort level high.