The 2015 Ford Focus ST driven in South Africa
Ford is currently on a major new model offensive in South Africa, with ten new or updated vehicles bearing the Blue Oval badge making their way to our roads in 2015. With four models already launched, the second half of this year will welcome the new B-MAX, Figo, Everest, Ranger and the new Mustang – and this, the facelifted Ford Focus ST, launched this week in KZN.
Part of the new Ford Performance brand, which unites four of Ford’s previously-independent performance portfolios, subtle is the word I’ve chosen to describe the new Focus ST. The changes are mostly cosmetic to bring the ST in line with the rest of the Focus range, and a mild rehash under the skin has made the new version a bit livelier and a lot more connected – literally and figuratively.
The range still comprises two models – the base model Focus ST1 and the range-topping Focus ST3, which differ only in specification and price.
The new face, with its slimmer, streamlined headlights and still-aggressive gaping grille, makes the new ST appear a lot more grown-up compared to the previous model. It’s like it’s been for a shave at the barber, rather than in its own bathroom with a Bic. At the rear, the tail lights have been on a diet as well, their new slim look affording the ST less of a googly-eyed appearance, while a large blacked-out rear valence adds to the visual width. It’s not my favourite element of the design changes, but at least it still sits above the central exhaust outlet like a moustache.
On the inside, you can hear angels singing. The buttons are gone! One of my biggest gripes with recent Fords has been the overpowering array of small, shiny buttons. The new ST features a far more pleasant fascia, with a redesigned climate control section sitting below what is now a clean, fuss-free, matt-finished hang-down where but a few audio controls are perched. In the ST3 model, a great new 8-inch SYNC2 touch screen interface takes pride of place with clean graphics and good usability – the ST1 features a smaller, less-advanced SYNC interface.
Of course, it’s what lies under the bonnet which is what most purveyors of this car care about most, though. With no changes in output or performance, both variants feature the same 2.0-litre turbocharged EcoBoost 4-cylinder petrol engine as before, which is mated to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. With 184 kW at 5 500 rpm and 360 Nm between 2 000 and 4 500 rpm on tap, this car is no slouch. Performance figures remain impressive, with the 0-100 km/h sprint undertaken in 6.5 seconds, and top speed pegged at 248 km/h.
Ford has however fettled with certain elements including the aerodynamics and adding start/stop technology to both models, which see slight reductions in fuel consumption and carbon emissions – claimed to be 6.8-litres per 100 km on the combined average (good luck achieving that) and 159 g/km respectively. Aero aids continue to include underbody panelling and active grille shutters to minimise drag.
Under the sexy body, retuned suspension elements which include new springs with stiffer bushes, as well as more-responsive electric power steering for quicker turn-in and (supposedly) less torque steer, make the new Ford Focus ST quite good at threading corners together on a track. Torque vectoring and the new Enhanced Transitional Stability system (ETS) do a good job of keeping things in check – ETS in particular improves precision and control during rapid directional changes.
Now for some real honesty: the third-generation Ford Focus ST has been a car I’ve never liked – mostly because it torque steered like a madman and was, for me, too brutish compared to rivals like a Renault Mégane RS or an Opel Astra OPC. Ford Claims that the torque steer in the facelift has been reduced, but having spent an afternoon hounding the ST3 around the scarily awesome Dezzi Raceway in KZN, I’m not so sure. That said, I did enjoy the new car on the whole this time, more than I did before. It’s particularly comfortable on the open road especially. There is a great sense of theatre, with engine sounds being piped into the cabin under heavy throttle inputs thanks to ‘Sound Symposer Technology’, and a great deal of urgency in the way the car lunges for the horizon. At full chat, the shriek emanating from the firewall is addictive. I’d have liked a little more drama however, with a few backfires and turbocharger sounds thrown in as well.
The new Ford Focus ST’s greatest selling point, however, is its price. The ST1 retails for R381 900 and the ST3 for R421 900 – undercutting the usual rivals which include the Opel Astra OPC and Renault Mégane RS by a fair margin. A VW Golf GTI is slightly cheaper than an ST3, but spec it to the same level as the Focus and you’ll end up spending around R35 000 more. The ST remains, then, a great value proposition in this segment, and it’s no wonder it leads the manual-transmission C-segment hot hatch sales figures.
Standard specification is great, with the ST1 featuring cloth-upholstered Recaro seats, a leather steering wheel and gear lever, aluminium pedals, 18-inch wheels, tyre pressure sensors, keyless operation, start/stop technology, cruise control, Ford SYNC and MyKey – which basically lets you programme the keys to control the vehicle’s performance and other abilities (great if you’re a concerned parent with a newly-licensed teenager, or your spouse has an affection for speeding fines).
Over and above this, the ST3 brings SYNC2 and the 8-inch touch screen, adaptive xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, climate control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a classy 9-speaker Sony audio system, full leather upholstery, heated seats and an electric driver’s seat to the table. Both models are available in seven colours which include ‘Tangerine Scream’ and the devious grey you see in these photos – aptly named ‘Stealth’.
The only available options on the ST include a sunroof and new 19-inch alloy wheels, which at R6 540 for both don’t make a significant dent in the wallet.
Range overview
Ford Focus ST1 R381 900
Ford Focus ST3 R421 900
Pricing includes a 4-year/ 120 000 km warranty and 4-year/ 80 000 km service plan.
