Ford Focus ST a great car to have in your corner

The new Focus ST offers more power than its Tic-Tac predecessor despite its smaller engine

You might even say it adheres to Lotus founder Colin Chapman’s “less is more” philosophy. Its two-litre, four-cylinder engine is 20 per cent smaller than the previous ST’s, and consequently less thirsty and less polluting, yet it produces more power for snappier off-the-line times and effortless overtaking.

You could also argue that this ST looks less of a hooligan than its predecessor. Big wheels, a gaping grille and a squat stance leave you in no doubt that this is a Fast Ford, but it’s an altogether more restrained affair than the Tic-Tac on steroids of old. Shame the “less is more” mantra doesn’t apply to the dashboard, which has more buttons and switches than Concorde’s cockpit. It doesn’t take long to work out which controls are important, though, and which you can live without. In summary: the important ones are the steering wheel and the stubby stick for the six-speed gearbox, and everything else is just along for the ride.

And what a ride. If the ST’s performance figures have you salivating, the way it acquits itself in the corners will have you in raptures. The steering is lightning fast and sublimely weighted, and clever torque vectoring sends power to the front wheel with most grip. This, allied to an already-lithe chassis, means the Focus is capable of carrying phenomenal speed through corners. And not just in the dry – it was dreich on day one of my Duns trip and the Focus clung like a limpet then. Thank goodness, then, for figure-hugging Recaro sports seats. The ride is firm enough to remind you you’re driving a proper performance car, but not so harsh as to make long distances unbearable.

With 247bhp from its two-litre Ecoboost engine, the ST is never going to be a slouch, but it’s the way it puts down its power that impresses. There’s no waiting for the turbo to wake up – even a dab of throttle delivers instant results from anywhere in the rev range. All the while, the ST serves up a pleasing growl thanks to a “sound symposer” that amplifies low-frequency engine notes and delivers just the right amount of din to the cabin.

There is only one fly in the Focus ST’s ointment – its little sister. In March, I drove the Fiesta ST and wanted to punch the man from Ford when he came to take it back. It loses 70bhp to the Fiesta, but the DNA is essentially the same. If you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of space, an extra pair of doors and a smidgen of straight-line speed, then the Fiesta makes a compelling case for itself, especially when you remember it’s more than five grand cheaper.

VITAL STATS

CAR Ford Focus ST-2 5dr

PRICE £23,495

PERFORMANCE Max speed 154mph; 0-60mph 6.3s

MPG (combined) 39mpg

CO2 EMISSIONS 169g/km