Ford Focus ST clings and handles even better

Power output from its 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine remains unchanged at 184kW and 360Nm and Ford wisely has not changed the smooth, short throw manual transmission. The car's zero to 100km/h sprint time also remains at 6.5 seconds and top speed is 248 km/h, but where it ups the stakes is in the way it handles at speed and during emergencies. While it is no faster in a straight line it feels noticeably better balanced, more planted and easier to pilot at full tilt through the twisties.

Tweaked up

The white coats at Ford have developed what is called "a ground-breaking Enhanced Transitional Stability (ETS) system" that works in conjunction with the car's advanced Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

In essence the ETS senses vehicle stability and driver inputs, and just before things become unstuck it steps in to keep the front of the car pointed in the right direction and the rubber on the tar. Without going into too much tech-talk, wheel torque distribution has also been tweaked, the body work has been strengthened and the suspension has benefitted from new front springs and shocks as well as new bushes - all designed to give even better grip and handling.

But enough of anorak-speak; on the tight, white-knuckle Dezzi race track in KZN the additional refinements on the spruced-up ST become instantly obvious. This sporty Ford handles with the maturity and solid predictability few others in its price range can match and it is great fun to drive at pace. And the sound of its raunchy 2-litre at foot-flat pace is sweet music to a petrol-head's ears!

In addition to track time, I also got in a few gymkhana runs which further underlined the ST's abilities to cope with extreme handling of the kind which might be encountered in a sudden motorway emergency.

Sporty agility

But in spite of its sporty agility the ST also serves up a comfortable ride on public roads where it's low torque ability to accelerate, even from as high as 5th gear, makes for pleasant commuter transport although the tight, narrow front sports seats are not really designed for comfort, not that comfort would be high on the list of desirables potential ST buyers would be looking for when they want to buy a performance car.

On that point, fuel consumption, too, is not usually a major sporty car purchase motivator, although Ford does claim a combined fuel consumption of 6.8 l/100km (a 6% improvement on the current model) which the carmaker says is because of Auto-Stop-Start, also new to the ST.

However, we all know that fuel claims depend on how you a car is driven and nobody, but nobody will even try to achieve the claimed consumption because it goes against the spirit of what the ST is all about.

Inside and out

The latest ST's looks have been sharpened with a number of go-faster cosmetics such as a more sculpted bonnet; slimmer headlamps (including daytime running lights), reshaped fog lamps, body-colour matching side skirts, diffuser elements on either side of the two centre tailpipes , a rear roof spoiler shaped for better performance, and black lamp bezels. The design applications combine to make the car look lower and wider and it works well.

The ST is available in two guises, ST1 and ST3 and the only difference is a few more fancies on the ST3. Looks, power output, handling and all the go-faster equipment are identical.

The cabin of ST3 is furnished with full leather Recaro racing, heated front seats (including an 8-way adjustable driver's seat), ST foot pedals, ambient interior LED lighting, leather steering wheel, front, side and curtain airbags, perimeter alarm system, follow me home lights, drive away locking, heated front seats, keyless entry, and a tyre deflation detection system.

An additional bank of three gauges (an ST hallmark) on the instrument binnacle displays turbocharger boost pressure, oil temperature and oil pressure information to emphasise the car's vroom-vroom personality.

Other living quarter pleasantries are a Ford SYNC with Bluetooth and Voice Control 8-inch Touchscreen, USB/iPod connectivity and SD card; dual zone climate control, auto dimming rear-view mirror, power mirrors and windows, cruise control and the by now familiar Ford MyKey nursemaid system.

In its class, price range and sporty ability the ST really has only one serious opponent and that is the Golf GTI - except of course if a buyer wants an auto box because the ST only comes with a manual transmission and has nothing to equal the VW's popular DSG transmission. The two cars are very similar, yet quite different in some ways, so test driving, price-specification comparisons are essential when it comes to deciding which one to choose.

Since its launch in 2002 more than 140 000 Ford ST models have been sold in 40 countries and there is no doubt that all the new added technology and even more responsive and refined characteristics of the face-lifted ST is going to drive this figure to further heights.

The ST is sold with a four-year/120 000km warranty, four-year/80 000km service plan and a three-year/unlimited km roadside assistance programme.

Price range

The models and prices are:
Ford Focus ST1 - R381 900
Ford Focus ST3 - R421 900