The Ford Focus ST has always been the way to go for those with an over enthusiastic right foot

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Car Reviewed: Ford Focus ST 5 Door

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This fourth generation Focus ST 5 door is front wheel drive and powered by a 2.3 L eco-boost turbocharged engine derived from the Focus RS and this test car is the version with, my preference, the seven-speed automatic. Ford needed to up the ante on its performance ST models; it required more tech and the non-hybrid treatment has paid off.

Handling is the name of the game with the ST; its torquey engine with 415Nm gives the car more than enough power to select the best line through any corner. The steering is ultra-precise and the paddle shift assist in making rapid progress.

I am passionate about driving any of the Ford ST models, but the clogged roads of the South East/West barely give them a chance to prove their real prowess. This car is to be enjoyed and savoured, however the low-down availability of power is still a hoot, even pootling through the countryside, with the instantaneous ‘no-lag’ burst of acceleration for overtaking and fast cornering.

All models of the recent Focus have had a sweet spot in the chassis department; The Focus ST marches it to another level. The Focus ST has superb grip on the road, engaging and agile, sharp steering adds to the fun holding the line in and out of corners, fast A or B roads are a blast. There are switchable modes for slippery, normal sports and racetrack.

The suspension is firm, but what would you expect? Power is 280PS, more than enough for this Mean Green (the name of the paint colour) icon. 0-62mph comes up in 5.7 seconds and the top speed is…a speed awareness course won’t help—a licence losing 155mph.

Inside the car are some very welcome and comfortable Ford Performance seats, heated and 6-way adjustable for the Driver and passenger. The steering wheel is also heated.

Ford has reworked their in-car Nav and 13.2-inch touchscreen solution to Sync 4 along with the B&O 10- speaker audio. It works well, sounds great, is clear and concise to use, and is combined with wireless Apple CarPlay, or Android Auto. It is now a pretty solid system, with consistency in its design from the touchscreen to the other instruments.

The car is loaded up with the latest usual Ford safety systems. Many of these are in the driver assistance pack, which comes as a £550 option; other options on this test car are the parking pack £500 and the Ford Performance Pack, which brings track mode and selectable and adjustable dampers. A helpful extra also is the head-up display at £450.

All this performance doesn’t come cheap and the overall price for this car is £38305 (£41480 with options). Being in the market for an ultimate hot hatch, Ford is priced reasonably amongst its rivals, the Volkswagen Golf GTI, the Cupra Leon, Hyundai i30N and the superb Honda Type R. So get in fast…

A sad day will come when the magnificent Focus ST production ends as it did for the Focus RS (already a classic).

Who knows yet, what will replace it? A sqeally, whiney shrill, performance EV, another SUV? I am assured that the Ford Performance team will pass the baton and we will still love it.