FORD'S Focus ST is the Audi quattro of the decade - an astonishing tour-de-force of a car that rewrites the rule book.
It doesn't feel as explosive as over 220bhp might suggest, but that's only because the power delivery is right through the rev range.
Thanks to a smooth 2.5 five cylinder borrowed from sister company Volvo, the performance is absolutely electric and the sound - no doubt with a tuned exhaust system - is just like the quattro of old, but just a little more muted.
Despite the fact that all the power has to get down onto the blacktop through only the front wheels, there is only a minimum of torque steer through the hugely informative power steering.
The handling is sublime in all situations and the road holding has to be experienced to be believed.
The speeds with which this car could take the corners on the former WWII airfield test track I use when I have something really special were mindblowing.
Interior
Excellent sports seats hold perfectly and the driving position is excellent for all sizes.
Equipment in top spec '3' guise includes an in-dash CD changer and full leather.
The only pity is the shape of the Focus itself, which has never been one of my favourites and was a backward step from its avant-garde predecessor.
FAST FACTS
Ford Focus ST 3 2.5 5dr
Price: £21,445
Mechanical: 222bhp, 2,522cc, 5cyl petrol engine driving the front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 150mph
0-62mph: 6.8 secs
Combined mpg: 30.4
Insurance group: 17
CO2 emissions: 224g/km
BiK rating: 31%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 12yrs anti-rust
Marks: 10/10
Main rival: Astra VXR, Golf Gti