Auto Express – August 20, 2019

SpecialIssue 27

EQUIPMENT

Standardfeatures

include B&O audio

system, adaptive

cruise and arear

camera, plus heated

front seats, screen

and steering wheel

FordFocusST NEWCARS

Ot

is

Cl

ay

THEnewFocusSTdeliversthesame

attributesthatmakethesmallerFiesta

STsuchariotbutinamoregrown-up

packageandwithawiderrangeof

ability.Itschassisrelishesbeing

workedandhastheengineeringto

backthisup.ButwhereastheFiesta

STisarelativebargain,theFocus’s

priceandpracticalityholditback

slightly,despiteitsextramaturity.

★★★★★

Verdict

mechanicalinteraction,evenifthethrowis

niceandshort.Butimportantly,itdoesn’t

hampertheprocessorenjoymentofdriving.

TheSTcertainlyhastheabilitytorival

otherhothatches,then,evenifthechassis

feelsonthefirmerside,likeani30N’s,

ratherthanofferingthesophistication

andbreadthofaCivicTypeR’s.

Thedrivingpositionisgreatandthere’s

enoughroomintherearseats.But,with

only375litresofbootspace,theFocusfalls

shortofsomerivalsinthisarea.

Efficiencystandsat35.8mpg,whichis

fair,butenjoytheST’sabilitiesandyou’llsee

farlessthanthat.Meanwhile,its179g/km

ofCO 2 emissionsareaveragefortheclass.

OnestickingpointfortheSTisprice.It

costs£31,995,whichismorethanaCivic

TypeRthatgetsmorepower,butlesskit.

TheFordisalso£2,500moreexpensive

thantheHyundaii30NPerformancewitha

similarlevelofpowerandkit.However,the

newFocusSTissotechnicallycompetent

thatitjustaboutgetsawaywithit.The

grouptestisgoingtoproveinteresting.

INTERIORDriving position is excellent,

helped by Recarosports seatsthat do agreat

job of mixing comfortonlong journeyswith

supportthat you can lean on in sharp bends

PRACTICALITYMuch likeinregular Focus

editions,there’sadecent amount of rear cabin

spacebut the boot capacitywith the seatsin

placeisbeaten by many of the car’s rivals

INFOTAINMENTEight-inch touchscreen

is bright and positioned high up on the dash,

making it easier to use on the move. Apple

CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard

Ford Focus ST

2.3 EcoBoost 280PS

Price: £31,995

Engine: 2.3-litre4cylturbopetrol

Power/torque: 276bhp/420Nm

Transmission: Six-speedmanual,

front-wheeldrive

0-62mph: 5.7seconds

Topspeed: 155mph

Economy/CO 2 : 35.8mpg/179g/km

ONSALE Now

Essentials