Category: Hot Hatchbacks 
Price Range: No data available
Fast, well-equipped, sounds fantastic.
Feels nose-heavy, expensive running costs.
Full of character and surprisingly grown-up hot hatch limited by its big thirst.
For the revised ST, engineers have left the Focus's underpinnings well alone, which means the sportiest Ford hatch still comes with 30% stiffer springs and a 15mm lower ride height than a standard model.
This endows the Ford with a supple ride on bumpy B-roads, with only the odd bit of crashiness from the standard 18" alloys over poorly surfaced roads.
For the majority of our drive it was pouring down with rain, the wet roads not doing the nose-heavy ST any favours. Next to the Golf GTI - and even the Civic Type-R - the Ford feel less eager to turn into sharp corners. Push too hard and the nose washes wide far earlier than the competition.
Blame the weight of the comparatively large 2.5-litre five cylinder turbo for making the Focus feel less agile, but previous experience has shown that the ST offers plenty of grip in the dry.
A positive attribute that does carry over unchanged is the flexible power delivery of the Volvo-sourced five-cylinder. Once on boost from 2,000rpm, the engine feels relaxed, with a wide power band and the substantial 236Ib-ft of torque on tap - perfect if you're just not in the mood.
Of course when you are, the Focus doesn't disappoint, avoiding the torque-steering antics of the Vauxhall Astra VXR.
The five-cylinder remains a joy, although in the new car below 4,000rpm it feels as though it's had the volume turned down, with just a gentle burble at idle. But push further and the delicious hard-edged metallic snarl floods the cabin, with all those engine-noise frequencies that we love so much permeating through. And if you lift off after brief spurts of hard acceleration, you'll still be treated to the odd rally car pop and bang.
As well as improved refinement, the ST also boasts a better, lighter and quicker gearchange, with much of the original car's notchiness banished.
