You might have noticed that Ford is downsizing their motor gamma.
They are the first to have a 3 cylinder in a 'Focus'.
Not this one, this is the ST, but this model also has to turn in a cylinder.
The ST wil go from a 5 cylinder to a 4 cylinder.
Fortunately 25 HP is added and 360 Nm torque.
Knowing Ford, they made a nicely steering car out of this.
We shall put it to the test!
The ST is easy to recognize, it has bigger bumpers, different sill cladding and specific 18 inch wheels.
In the rear the midplaced exhaust and spoiler stand out.
Furthermore there are some special colors available.
For example this 'Tangerine Scream', which speaks for itself....
When seen from a distance, this even reminds of the yellow from a 70's Cadet or Ascona.
We want to know how the car drives, steers and feels, if it's a fun car.....
But ofcourse also the sound. Comparing to it's forerunner we mis one cylinder. We are driving a 4 cylinder....
Ford came up with a solution: the sound symposer...
More sound is lead into the interior...when given full gas, it reminds of a Honda Civic with an open air filter.
But still not as sensational as the 5 cylinder...
250 HP, 25 more as it's forerunner and a 260 Nm Torque.
The car reacts well to the gas, even with low revs.
Even when taken to higher revs, despite being a turbo motor, the car stands it's ground.
We already know the 'Focus' as a well steering car, this ST is even better.
With this car Ford introduces the 'Sport Steering System'.
So while steering in, the feeling increases.
When driving a straight line, whilst being in the mid position, it's a little bit indirect.
But when you're steering in, the sensitivity and sharpness increase.
With less speed the power steering wil increase, so parking and city driving is easier.
When talking about the steering with a front wheel drive and 250 HP,
You'll also be talking about the drive responses, the so called torque steer.
What does one feel of this? When you'll give a lot of gas the car wants to go straight
You'll have alot of driving force, a lot of torque: 360 Nm....
Ford thought of this, not a ravo nuckle suspension as with the 'RS',
this car has a 'torque steer compensator'
This means that the power steering will give steering corrections.
But with this the problem has not been solved at it's core...
It only fixes something which originates from the front wheels.
So the problem will be obstructed in an electronical way.
So when you'll give full gas you still feel the drive responses,
and the electronical system will give opposing force so that you can take a corner in a normal way.
So it will modorate, but you can feel that it's an electronical system.
A car with front wheel drive and such power would also need a differential lock.
It doesn't have a mechanical lock but an electronical one.
This brakes the inner front wheel when entering a corner full speed.
the electronical differential lock will intervere the traction problems using the ESP,
This will ensure that you can normally take the corner without any understeer.
I know you're thinking that this will take away all driving pleasure.
Which is not the case, the system works subtile,
the ESP can be turned off or you can turn on the sportive mode,
so you still get a little bit lift-off oversteer, keeping power and full acceleration...
Important interior details in which the ST stands out,
are ofcourse the Recaro's which are eye catchers.
And also the 3 meters for the turbo pressure, oil pressure and oil temperature.
The leather patched steering wheel with ST logo, and the special gearshift.
This is the first sportive car Ford will sell worldwide.
So all markets will be served, also the U.S.
Concerning driving experience, this car is between a Golf GTI and a Megane RS.
Just a little sharper than the Golf and a little milder than the Megane.
All together: the steering, the sound, experience, road behaviour
come to a nice car to be on the road with, a fun car.
While driving these mountain roads we really had fun steering.
Ford doesn´t only sell it as a 5 door hatchback but also as a stationcar.
So if you need a practical car, with a lot of space and speed, this is an ideal combination.
The prices start at €33.135,- and during september the car will be available at the dealer.