SOMETIMES the hype reaches such an intensity that the real thing becomes an anti-climax.
We've seen it with pop music, movies, computer games and, of course, cars.
Few though have been heralded with quite the level of advance publicity as Ford's latest performance hatchback, the Focus ST.
This spiritual successor to the Blue Oval's sporting icons like the Escort Mexico, XR3i, RS1600 and more recently the Focus RS is on a hiding to nothing - it has to perform out of its skin or slink behind a stone.
If Ford chiefs ever had any reservations then those would only have been a natural reluctance to count chickens, because the ST delivers in a manner its predecessors could never have got close to matching.
And it does it in such an understated way that a mum pottering off to collect the kids from school wouldn't feel intimidated by the ST experience.
The letters stand for Sports Technologies and this bigger brother to the Fiesta ST is also being used as the base car for the company's future World Rally Championship campaign.
But rather than produce a flying machine guaranteed to loosen your fillings, Ford's Team RS performance division has come up with what's best described as a 'grown up' hot hatch.
Sure, the lethal punch and wonderful mid-range pulling power are both provided by the 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine but the refinement and smoothness of the car can't be underestimated.
The beauty of the ST lies in that blend of power and refinement. There's a definite lean to Ford's performance models of the past in the shape of the deep front end, side skirts and slick rear roof spoiler.
And inside there are body-hugging Recaro sports seats with body colour inserts and the letters ST are discreetly placed on the steering wheel, on the flanks in front of the doors, the rear end and the rubbing strips.
Otherwise the shapes and interior are all proven Focus practicality with a soft touch and solid feel to the materials.
And lest the driver even temporarily forgets the pedigree of the car then a reminder sits atop the dash in the form of a pod housing oil temperature, pressure and turbo boost dials.
That obvious punch apart, the ST offers a ride quality generally unmatched by cars in its category.
The Focus chassis is a class leader anyway and while the ST's suspension is 30 per cent stiffer than before there's no boneshaker effect here.
Feel from the steering is exemplary, roadholding outstanding, balance as good as it gets. It's just a marvellous car to drive.
In fact for the price - the three-door entry level ST costs £17,495 - nothing on the market can touch it for value.
Basic kit includes front and side airbags, xenon headlights, front foglights, a quality Sony radio/CD and remote locking, while the upgraded ST2 and ST3 versions add more.
The cheaper three-door models look racier, the five-door more practical. Either way, be brave and splash out an extra £695 for Electric Orange - it's the colour that defines the series.
FAST FACTS
Ford Focus ST 2.5 3dr
Price: £17,495
Mechanical: 225bhp, 2,522cc, 5cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 152mph
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