Ford Focus ST, BMW 1 Series
‘The stop-start system is so sensitive that a pedestrian can re-engage it’
Mileage 2240 List price £32,495 Target Price £29,655 Price as tested £32,745
Test economy 26.6mpg
I’VE BEEN HOUSE hunting over the past couple of months, in a wide variety of locations, so I’ve been racking up the miles in my Focus ST in pursuit of that goal.and despite my grumbling previously about the jiggliness of the ride, the ST has been an agreeable companion for most of the time.
Unquestionably, it’s a quick car; the 276bhp turbocharged 2.3-litre engine is gutsy and exible, pulling crisply from very low revs and feeling muscular in the midrange, although it lacks the rival Honda Civic Type R’s high-rev reworks, so there isn’t much point in winding it out to the red line. In addition, the six-speed manual gearbox has a delightfully short, precise shift action, while the driving position is proving to be exceptionally comfortable, even over long distances.
As it turns out, my initial fears about re nement were well founded, though.tyre noise is pervasive at motorway speeds, while the exhaust never entirely shuts up; it’s always there in the background, even when I’m cruising along in the Normal driving mode. I’m also a little shocked at how much the suspension thumps and bangs over sharp-edged speed bumps and potholes around town.
Brie y switching to a Range Rover Velar that was in on test may have made for a quieter time, but it also helped me realise just how good the ST’S standard rear-view camera is. In comparison with the Velar’s surprisingly dark, fuzzy on-screen image, the ST’S is much brighter and clearer, especially at night.the only problem is that the lens gets covered in water and grime too easily, rendering itself much less useful when it’s raining.
As with all Focuses, the ST features other neat touches that make it easier to live with, including a capless fuel ller. Instead of having to screw a cap off and on, all you do is open the ller ap and insert the pump nozzle past a spring-loaded plastic membrane that covers the spout. It’s quick, convenient and less messy than usual.