ANYONE who says family hatchbacks are boring has obviously never experienced the Ford Focus ST.
With an oil-burning unit under the bonnet, the blue oval badge marque’s mean machine provides the perfect blend of driver engagement and economy.
And it does it all for a price of £30,575 – proving that you don’t have to break the bank to have a family motor that’s both potent and practical.
This Focus is also packed with creature comforts alongside sporty touches and even the optional extras are great value for money.
Press the start switch and put your right foot down and you’ll soon be enthralled by the racy soundtrack as well as the rapid acceleration.
The 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine produces a healthy 190PS and impressive 400Nm of torque that can fire the Focus to 62mph in 7.6 seconds and on to 137mph.
But the fuel economy is quite remarkable for such potency – with the official average mpg rated at 50.4 and CO2 levels at 148g/km.
As well as an immensely satisfying short-throw six-speed manual gearbox, there’s also a special sport suspension. Added to the mix are the three standard drive modes – slippery, normal and sport – that adjust the likes of steering, throttle and brake response.
Most owners will want the £250 Ford Performance Pack that adds a track mode, shift indicator and rev-matching for downshifts, launch control to deliver the best acceleration off the line and multi-colour ambient lighting.
All this electronic and engineering gadgetry results in a pulsating motoring experience that combines dynamic agility, superb responsiveness to driver input and confidence-inspiring grip.
The ST is brilliant fun to throw around country roads – I had such a blast that I forgot I was at the wheel of a hatchback that actually has enough room for the family and luggage in the 443-litre boot.
The steering feels suitably weighty and the brakes are sharp, yet this Ford is also capable of being an accomplished tourer and more refined around town. My back seat passengers on a lengthy run said they felt very comfortable.
Onlookers will be in no doubt about the sporty nature of this hatch thanks to the bold grilles, bodystyling kit, large rear spoiler, racing grey alloys housing red brake calipers, twin tail pipes and pronounced ST badging.
The racy story continues inside – on start-up, the touchscreen features a honeycomb grille graphic with the words “ST Ford Performance” to hint at the experience you’re about to enjoy.
Then there are figure-hugging Recaro partial-leather black seats with cool grey piping and stitching that are heated up front, alloy pedals, a dark headliner and carbon-fibre-effect trim.
The flat-bottomed, perforated-leather, sports steering wheel (also heated) boasts an ST badge and a special red button to put the car into sport mode.
Ford’s SYNC3 infotainment system – with full smartphone integration, sat nav, access to various car functions, an emergency assistance feature and voice control – is easy to use through the eight-inch colour touchscreen atop the dash.
As you blast along the road, you can also blast out your tunes on a 675-Watt B&O audio system with 10 speakers for surround sound, while a rear-view parking camera is yet another practical touch.
Other sensible features include dual-zone air con, adaptive auto lights (including high beam) and wipers, keyless entry and start, intelligent speed limiter, driver alert, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control and front and rear parking sensors.
But one thing’s for sure – you’ll never be bored in the Focus ST.
Factfile:
- Model: Ford Focus ST 2.0L EcoBlue manual
- Engine: 2.0-litre diesel
- Power: 190PS
- Top speed: 137mph
- 0-62mph: 7.6 seconds
- Average mpg: 50.4
- 148g/km
- Warranty: Three years/60,000 miles
- Price: £30,575
