2019-10-01_CAR_UK

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