FORD FOCUS ST: IN THE HIGHER LEAGUE
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Grip always and driving like a razor
The ST was the softer hot hatch in the Ford Focus lineup. Above is the brutal Focus RS, which reaches 350 hp in its latest generation. and has a 4x4 drive.
In general this is true for hot hatches - in the "amateur" league these are softer and more everyday modifications, and in the top "major" league they are the sharpest runners, more suitable for the track than for the roads, with more than 300 horses and radical settings. steering and suspension.
As soon as I got into the sporty but relatively comfortable Recaro seat, pressed the heavy clutch, tightened the 6-speed lever and extreme sharpness in the steering wheel, I knew that the new ST practically blurred the lines between the two leagues. This is already a car capable of satisfying even the most demanding "racers". I just hope they didn't, because it's still unclear if RS will continue to exist. But if there is a new RS, what miracle will be at this level of S T?
Increase
A quick glance at the technical specifications is enough to confirm your feelings.
Despite the massive trend towards smaller engine displacements called downsizing, the Focus ST replaces the two-liter engine with a 2,3-liter that is a net increase in size. That's right - the engine is the same as the current Focus RS and turbocharged Mustang (see HERE). Its power here is 280 hp, exceeds 30 hp. the previous Focus ST, and a torque of 420 Nm. The biggest advantage of this motorcycle's exceptional dynamics and instant responsiveness is the so-called. an anti-lag system that maintains high revs to the turbo even when the throttle is removed and thus eliminates the turbo port. This, along with high torque, makes the engine very flexible and very responsive in changing driving conditions. Here Ford was promised and not very thirsty - 8,2 liters in the combined cycle. But this is with a calm ride, and no one buys such a car to drive it calmly. Therefore, the on-board computer reported 16 liters, but it is important to note that the car had very low mileage.
In Sport mode, the 6-speed manual transmission has an assistant that automatically applies intermediate throttle when downshifting, which synchronizes engine and transmission speeds for immediate response. If you order a vehicle with the optional Performance Package (BGN 2950), which I highly recommend, you get a start from the launch control point, thanks to which you increase your speed to 100 km / h for a sporty 5,7 seconds. (8 tenths faster than the previous Focus ST).
Other major upgrades you'll get with this package are the adjustable sport suspension and Track mode for the track. Suspension is reduced by 10mm, front springs are 20% stiffer, rear springs are 13% stiffer, and overall body stiffness is increased by 20%.
However, in normal mode, the Focus ST is fully usable for everyday use and won't break your kidneys from shaking. If you switch to sport mode, everything is noticeably tightened and sharpened, and the suspension becomes much stiffer. In track mode, everything is just rough, super straight and natural feeling, and traction control is off. The way to change modes is also cool - the buttons on the steering wheel. There's one quick button for sport-only mode and a second for a mode from which you choose between all four (the last one not mentioned is wet and snowy, which optimizes traction). The only thing I would take out right now is the sound resonator, which brings engine sound into the cabin through the speakers for a more sporty feel.
It doesn't work at all, sounds like a bug in a pot, and causes the most headaches, even though the audio system is the work of the premium Bang & Olufsen brand.
Kef
One of the strengths of the model has always been its extremely precise control. Ford steering wheels are generally pleasing to the driver, but they are perfectly tuned in sports models. Here the electronically amplified servo offers different densities depending on the mode selected, but even with normal control, sharpness is remarkable. It feels like the steering wheel is also moving the rear of the car, not just the front wheels (here the rigid structure also speaks for itself).
From the far left corner to the far right, it makes two full turns, and the steering wheels of ordinary cars make four. To avoid the understeer characteristic of powerful front-wheel drive vehicles, you have an electronic limited-slip and locking differential that, together with a torque distribution system, is a torque vector, constantly directing traction to the wheel with higher tractive effort. So in order to “go straight,” you need to apply very rough and unreadable throttle in a tight corner.
I have tested to the best of my ability, what the Focus ST is capable of, both on corners and on the track. It accelerates, turns and stops perfectly (special attention is paid to the brakes).
Sports emotions behind the wheel of a rival much, much more expensive and powerful cars. Long live hot hatches!
Under the hood
| Дvigatel | Petrol EcoBoost |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| drive unit | Front |
| Working volume | 2261 cube |
| Power in hp | 280 h.p. (at 5500 rpm) |
| Torque | 420 Nm (at 3000 rpm) |
| Acceleration time | (0 – 100 km / h) 5,7 sec. |
| full speed | 250 km / h |
| Fuel consumption | |
| Mixed cycle | 8,2 l / 100 km |
| CO2 emissions | 179 g / km |
| The weight | 1508 kg |
| Price | from 63 900 BGN with VAT |
