2019-10-01_CAR_UK

(Marty) #1

118 CARMAGAZINE.CO.UK | october 2019


smooth. You can’t turn the rev matching off, though.
The steering ratio is 15 per cent faster than a standard Focus, and
this hatchback variant (but not the estate) has adaptive dampers (Ford’s
Continuously Controlled Damping) as standard. The crown jewel in this
configuration is an electronically controlled diff, which helps stop the
Focus ST descending into a torque-steery mess like its predecessor.
It all helps make the Focus by far the most agile car on test. The steering
rack, while faster than a Fiesta ST’s, doesn’t feel nervous off-centre. It’s
so speedy you can keep your hands at quarter-to-three, even exiting 90º
T-junctions. On track, that makes the ST hugely adjustable mid-corner,
with the most eager front end of our test cars; the e-diff is the least intru-
sive of the three, gently trimming your line and building confidence. On
the road, you soon find yourself feeding in power through a corner where
normally you’d be considering stamping at the brakes in a panic.
And these really are some brakes – with more stopping power than
those on the RS. Even after a day’s blasting around a track and some
twisty B-roads, there was no sign of fade or fatigue from the 330mm
front/302mm rear discs, with a crispness to the brake pedal neither rival
could match.
Those adaptive dampers are impressive, too, but the Focus still claims
the dubious honour of being the firmest car here in its most relaxed
damper setting. The ride in everyday situations is generally bearable, but
it’s incredibly jiggly through a pothole-riddled village. Sport and then
Track increase that stiffness, but the extra poise pays dividends when
you’re working to maximise the ST’s performance – this is ultimately the
more satisfying drive than either the Hyundai or VW. It’s a shame there’s
no custom or individual mode allowing you to tailor your preferences.
Initial disappointment about the demure exterior design and plain
interior soon feels irrelevant. When a car is this enjoyable to drive, a lack
of visual sharpness really doesn’t seem that big a deal. And that driving
enjoyment applies on track as well as on a good road. Like the Golf, the
Focus is also very amiable in town or on the motorway – but get out of
town and the all-round talent of the sublime Ford surpasses the VW.
There’s a glorious precision to all the controls that the other two can’t
match, meaning that on every journey you feel connected to the ST and
eager to explore its considerable potential, again and again. ⊲

Faster steering, adaptive

dampers, e-diff – the Focus ST

is by far the most agile car here

Focus ST
borrows the
RS 2.3 turbo.
Makes 276bhp


pre-flight briefing ford

Why is it here?
It’s all-new, takes a
lot of inspiration from
its fantastic Fiesta ST
sibling and is keen
to throw a punch
Hyundai’s way. Plus,
the standard Focus is
a Giant Test winner,
so the ST comes from
good stock.

Any clever stuff?
Previous-gen Focus
RS 2.3-litre heart
with anti-lag turbo

tech, an e-diff, drive
modes and adaptive
dampers for the first
time on a Focus ST.
Performance Pack
adds lairy Track mode,

launch control and rev
matching to smooth
your downshifts.
Which version is this?
Five-door manual
hatch with a flat
(but well-equipped)
specification that you
add options to, instead
of the Fiesta’s ST-1, 2
and 3 grades. Estate
and auto versions
also available, as is a
187bhp diesel version
for high-flying fleet
drivers.

The Giant TestThe Giant TestThe Giant TestThe Giant TestGiant test: Focus ST
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