Test drive Ford Focus ST, Skoda Octavia RS, VW Golf GTI: a tribe of compact athletes

There is a simple answer to the question about the first find - of course, the VW Golf GTI was the first. Nevertheless, he again and again had to defend his royal title in compact sports models - this time against the concern's sister. Skoda Octavia RS and Ford Focus ST.

Even if you don't admire the VW Golf, you can't help but admit that the GTI is the original that introduced its own style and became a role model for many, and all compact sports models must inevitably live up to it. His shadow looks much larger than his figure, and many of the members were simply consumed by it. The new Skoda Octavia RS intends to avoid such a fate not only symbolically, with an extended wheelbase and a separate trunk. And the Ford Focus ST puffs out its wide cheeks, demonstrating a massive presence.

Ford Focus ST goes beyond

One thing is clear: all three models claim to be the first car in the family, which dispels the boredom of the daily commute, and with which the trip on vacation is not just torture. At the same time, above all, there is the hope of getting more pleasure from life than a conventional car can offer. First of all, the Ford Focus ST offers exactly that sense of adventurism that engineers are increasingly depriving models that have achieved perfect versatility.

Focus ST goes beyond not only visually, but also in behavior. The rough manner of the model is visible even when starting the four-cylinder turbo engine. Yes, that's right - and we shed bitter tears over the predecessor's loud five-cylinder engine when exhaust rules sent it into oblivion. But the king is dead - long live the king! The two-liter Ford Focus ST unit makes trumpet sounds like a herd of deer, and does not have “reasonable solution” acoustics at all. Gentle natures may call this noise unnecessary, but more emotional people will definitely like it.

Compared to the Ford model, even the VW Golf GTI suddenly starts to sound meek. It also uses a "sound compositor" to amplify and direct the breathy sound of intake air into the cabin. However, the GTI is simply more suited to long-distance travel and doesn't boost bass as intrusively. The sound design in the Skoda Octavia RS raises more questions - although under the hood there is almost the same two-liter engine (GTI from Golf Performance is 10 hp more powerful), it is somehow unnaturally rude and revit.

Skoda Octavia RS - between two tables ...

Although this acoustics harmonizes with the spectacular rear spoiler of the Skoda Octavia RS, all this does not form an organic unity with the interior space focused on maximum utility in everyday life - therefore, the queen of the trunk seems to fall between two seats, which, on the other hand, makes it less attractive to those who are looking for a sports model for family use. However, with its station wagon version, it could, like the previous model, satisfy car fans with transport capabilities and sportiness and be in much greater demand even as an economical diesel TDI CR - station wagon version, which you cannot. not found in either VW or Ford.

True, in a model with a sloping roof and a large tailgate, there is enough space for relaxing with the whole family, but especially for long trips, the comfort of the Octavia suspension meets certain limits - after all, even for an additional fee, Skoda does not offer adaptive shock absorbers, as in the GTI, capable of perfectly holding the sword between comfortable and competitive driving. Only when fully loaded, the Skoda Octavia RS shows a good ability to absorb bumps on bad roads - the rougher the waves on the pavement and the faster you move, the better the springs and dampers work, showing the classic nature of the sports suspension.

But no matter how hard you tweak the Octavia, it's hard to ignite the spark of charm. The RS feels just the way it is – big. Body dimensions limit mobility, which can also be measured in road dynamics tests. Compared to the VW Golf GTI, the Skoda lags behind in quick-change tests.

Golf GTI stands out in front of everyone

In fact, the Skoda Octavia RS does not lack readiness for measuring power - in terms of acceleration, it even surpasses the more powerful one with 30 hp. Focus. But here, too, it loses out to the VW Golf GTI – especially between 180 and 200 km/h. The RS is the only one of the three models that took part in the dual-clutch transmission test, the undisputed leader in gearshift speed. When we did the comparison, VW Czech did not have a manual transmission version.

But the advantage that the expensive equipment brought the Octavia turned out to be quite imaginary. Since the automatic transmission does not work in line with the driver's sporty ambitions, he is forced to intervene with the gear lever as there are no practical steering wheel plates on the test car.

Then you get on the VW Golf GTI and quickly discover that the hard H-shaped manual shifting can be completely satisfying for the pilot. Despite this, the designers have brought the GTI to such a degree of perfection that the only criticism can be directed at the price - and perhaps the perfection itself.

Because the VW Golf GTI has long since ceased to be that compact bully and disciplined to the level of performance-oriented sports grandiose tourism. Neither model uses fuel more efficiently, which makes it more dynamic and does not slide faster between pylons, nor does it turn as sharply on mountain roads thanks to an electronic differential lock that interferes with the brakes. Accurate, competent and easy to play.

A world of eternal assault

This turns out to be a real lesson in open road testing: only a sports model with sufficiently flexible suspension can keep the wheels on the road under any circumstances, provide the best grip, stable direction of travel and thus outrun everyone, including the wild dogs. like the Ford Focus ST.

The Ford model enters the world of relentless attack like no other, embracing its occupants with pronounced side seat supports, an optional turbocharger and oil pressure and temperature gauges. motorsport. Apparently, the Ford Focus ST has big plans. Indeed - he seems to be intent on smoothing the road ahead of him like a skating rink, enduring the impact of all the bumps in the road and experiencing all the hardships of centrifugal forces - until both the driver and the car start to swim in sweat, forced to operate at the limit of possibilities. You. With the Ford Focus ST, you'll have to struggle to lose directional control because the driving forces cause the front-wheel drive model to jerk back and forth. So if you don't have a firm grip on the steering wheel, it's best to keep the compressor low when driving on bad roads.

VW Golf GTI follows Focus easily

Thus, one feels that he is going terribly fast and through such active actions he hopes to achieve excellent results. What's more, the Ford athlete reacts to the load change with a whimsical load on the rear of the car before the ESP actually intervenes quite late. And here emotions overshadow a critical view of reality: a weaker one with 20 hp. The VW Golf GTI easily follows you in the rearview mirror, drawing a clear line through the corners without looking worried at all. It’s clear why: he’s not forced to withstand the shock of the suspension, squeeze the steering wheel and guide the gear lever on a long journey to each gear.

Of course, all this can be a lot of fun, as you can actively spend your free time. Suddenly, you find yourself in a world where strict control mechanisms used to exist. Playing the role of tamering a wild stallion and making it bend to your will can be really exciting. But this requires some experience, which not every potential buyer has. The Ford Focus ST is a car for the knowledgeable and, above all, the capable.

Here, unbridledness is not only a character trait, but also becomes part of everyday experience. Definitely, in this comparison, the Ford model offers the most radical escape from the gray reality - its passionate nature fills you with enthusiasm, but you have to agree to live with it every day and be able to afford it. Because in sporty modes, the four-cylinder Ford Focus ST engine consumes the most expensive 98-octane gasoline, and even its average consumption in the test is almost two liters per 100 km higher than the consumption of the VW Golf GTI and a liter. one and a half times more than the much larger, but still slightly lighter Skoda Octavia RS. The Focus's higher CO2 emissions even increase the tax (in Germany), which Ford (ibid) somewhat offsets with its slightly lower price.

Winner options

Thus, in terms of value, the Ford Focus ST is almost on a par with the Golf and Octavia, and in the safety section it is close to Skoda. With these exceptions, it lags behind more or less everywhere. His extreme temperament will surely bring him many fans, but few points earned in comparison tests of this type.

The Skoda Octavia RS is also trying to gain an advantage over the VW model - not so much through radicalism, but through more space. But that fails to impress the VW Golf GTI, which is countered by well-thought-out details such as a double boot floor, better comfort with more dynamic behavior, lower fuel consumption and higher resale value. Thus, he once again defines the parameters that a compact sports car must meet in order to prevail over others. The GTI was and still is the original.

Text: Markus Peters

Conclusion

1. VW Golf GTI Performance

529 points

Maneuverability despite comfort, better performance despite economy - it's hard to come close to the GT's versatility.

2. Skoda Octavia RS

506 points

There isn't much room in RS to win. The chassis is too tight and the handling is still underwhelming.

3.Ford Focus ST

462 points

Thanks to radical adjustments, Focus ST wins hearts, but not first places in the test.

technical details

Ford Focus ST	Skoda Octavia RS	VW Golf GTI Performance
Engine and transmission
Number of cylinders / engine type:	4-cylinder rows	4-cylinder rows	4-cylinder rows
Working volume:	1999 cm³	1984 cm³	1984 cm³
Forced filling:	turbocharger	turbocharger	turbocharger
Power:	250 k.s. (184 kW) at 5500 rpm	220 k.s. (161 kW) at 4500 rpm	230 k.s. (169 kW) at 4700 rpm
Maximum. rotation. moment:	360 Nm at 2000 rpm	350 Nm at 1500 rpm	350 Nm at 1500 rpm
Transmission of infection:	front.	front.	front
Transmission of infection:	Step 6 mechanic.	6 steps. 2 conn.	Step 6 mechanic.
Emission standard:	Euro 5	Euro 6	Euro 6
Shows CO₂:	169 g / km	149 g / km	139 g / km
Fuel:	gasoline 98 N	gasoline 95 N	gasoline 95 N
Price
Base price:	49 990 BGN	49 290 BGN	54 015 BGN
Dimensions and weight
Wheelbase:	2648 mm	2680 mm	2631 mm
Front / rear track:	1544 mm / 1534 mm	1529 mm / 1504 mm	1538 mm / 1516 mm
External dimensions
(Length × Width × Height):	4358 × 1823 × 1484 mm	4685 × 1814 × 1449 mm	4268 × 1799 × 1442 mm
Net weight (measured):	1451 kg	1436 kg	1391 kg
Useful product:	574 kg	476 kg	459 kg
Permissible total weight:	2025 kg	1912 kg	1850 kg
Diam. turning:	11.00 m	10.50 m	10.90 m
Trailed (with brakes):		1600 kg	1800 kg
Body
Type:	hatchback	hatchback	hatchback
Doors / Seats:	4/5	4/5	4/5
Test Machine Tires
Tires (front / rear):	235/40 R18 Y / 235/40 R18 Y	225/40 R18 Y / 225/40 R18 Y	225/40 R18 Y / 225/40 R18 Y
Wheels (front / rear):	8 J x 18/8 J x 18	8 J x 18/8 J x 18	7,5 J x 17 / 7,5 J x 17
Acceleration
0-80 km / h:	5 with	4,9 with	4,8 with
0-100 km / h:	6,8 with	6,7 with	6,4 with
0-120 km / h:	9,4 with	8,9 with	8,9 with
0-130 km / h:	10,7 with	10,3 with	10,1 with
0-160 km / h:	16,2 with	15,4 with	14,9 with
0-180 km / h:	20,9 with	20,2 with	19 with
0-200 km / h	27,8 with	27,1 with	24,6 with
0-100 km / h (production data):	6,5 with	6,9 with	6,4 with
Maximum. speed (measured):	248 km / h	245 km / h	250 km / h
Maximum. speed (production data):	248 km / h	245 km / h	250 km / h
Braking distances
100 km / h cold brakes empty:	36,9 m	37 m	36,2 m
100 km / h cold brakes with load:	36,9 m	36,3 m	36,4 m
Fuel consumption
Consumption in the test l / 100 km:	10,8	9,3	9
min. (test route on ams):	6,4	6,2	6,1
maximum:	14,6	11,8	11,6
Consumption (l / 100 km ECE) production data:	7,2	6,4	6