IT'S FUNNY the way things have turned full circle at Ford down the years.
At the height of the popularity of the sporting cars it produced, like the Lotus Cortina, the Escort RS1800, the Mexico, the Escort Cosworth, the Sierra Cosworth and so on, you could hardly have described their blue-collared relatives as being the height of contemporary design and engineering brilliance.
Rather, cars such as various Cortinas, Escorts and Sierras were invariably the lowest common denominators of their various market segments, even though they were relatively cheap, economical and practical and sold by the busload. They were the staple upon which generations of drivers cut their motoring teeth.
Nowadays, the shoe is very much on the other foot. The Focus ST170 illustrates that perfectly.
In the same way as Escorts of yesteryear were bought and tweaked by boy-racers the length and breadth of the land, youngsters whose mum or dad own a Focus will aspire to having this - very tweaked - Focus of their own.
In essence, the ST170 (with ST standing for sports technologies and 170 for the engine output) is a sort of Formula 2 sporty Focus, boasting 40 more horsepower than any other current Focus. It has a newly developed six-speed box, 17" alloys with low profile rubber, upgraded brakes, various suspension tweaks and what Ford describes as "performance styling".
Looking at the car, it is obvious that this is more than just a Focus that someone has bolted fancy wheels and a couple of muscular body panels on to.
OK, but does the bull match the beef? Well, yes it does. The heart of this machine is the new Duratec ST two-litre powerplant employing variable valve timing to produce extraordinary results.
Ford has squeezed some 174 PS out of this two-litre four-cylinder sixteen-valver, and that is achieved at 7,000 rpm, although the torque characteristics make for excellent low end grunt with 85 per cent of the total torque (196Nm at 5,500 rpm) coming at 2,200 and a minimum of 190Nm available between 2,500 and 6,000 rpm.
The fact that the rev limiter does not come into play until around 7,350 rpm indicates just how willing this unit is, and if, as Ford maintains, its main aim with this machine was to put the fun back into motoring, then it goes a long way to achieving just that.
Mating the engine to a close ratio six-speed box provides the driver with all the ammunition necessary to act the hooligan, and the suspension configuration (with higher spring rates and better damper tuning) ensures it is easy to keep on the road. The front wheel drive system is not a problem, and there is no undue torque steer evident and just a hint of high speed understeer, which is not problematic as the specially tuned steering is a delight. Four channel ABS and traction control are standard to protect the unwary or the foolhardy.
Top speed is 134mph and 0-60 is achieved in 7.4 seconds. While these figures are not particularly stunning in themselves, it is the delivery of the power and the inherent stability of the chassis under duress, that are impressive.
Inside, the sports seats with their leather trim, the silver-face electro-luminescent gauges and the drilled metallic pedals all indicate the potential - and they don't lie.
- Alistair Coull
THERE was little to distinguish the Focus ST170 from its more 'sedate' stablemates.
The tasty alloys are the first hint that there might be something just a little different from other Focus models, but of course, these might be special add-ons.
A few tweaks with a radiator and bumper grille and the headlights - and the sporty fogs - increase the curiosity.
But these don't prepare you for the throaty music from the tailpipe as you dip the gas pedal, nor the instant power that lets you know this is different from the rest of the gang.
This Ford focuses on fun in a big way, and you don't have to attain breakneck speed on the race track to achieve it.
The two-litre ST170 belts out 170bhp which makes it the beefiest Focus apart from the RS. Output is there at a second's bidding, but it is the pulling power of the dynamic 1988cc unit that thrills.
Its ability to pull well throughout the speed range is what it is all about. Although enhancements have made for the higher maxium power, 85 per cent of the unit's 196Nm of torque is on tap from just 2200 revs, providing a very healthy response which is where the ST really impresses.
As Ford engineering supervisor Bernard Steeples states: "People buy horsepower, but what counts in the real world is torque . . . how well the engine pulls."
Such instant energy makes for exciting driving and with a refined chassis, achieved by new springs and dampers, the sporty Focus stays firm and balanced at all times.
Ford tweaked up the fun and driving pleasure even more with a six-speed transmission with close-ratio gearing, which proved swift and precise.
The ST handles smartly and confidently, aided by a revision to the car's power steering and gearing, and the ride was excellent, the ST gripping and hugging the road with perfect deportment, even in the S-bends.
Handling has been further enhanced by enlarged dampers and low-profile tyres and the ST's stopping power is extremely good, equipped with larger diameter brake discs. Four-channel ABS and traction control give extra confidence with Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) available as a £750 option.
Inside, the cabin is smart and looks fairly modern with sporting leather trim seats which feature a six-way electronic adjustment. There are sporting touches such as a silver-faced instrument panel, metallic pedals with rubber studs and monogrammed door sill kick plates.
Five adults can be accommodated in the ST without too much of a squeeze, and there is a good-sized load area.
The sporty Ford's power steering has a two-way adjustable column and the ST boasts six airbags, electric windows, central locking, air con and six-slot CD player.
At £16,495 in its basic form, the sporty Focus offers a tremendous amount of fun.
The only quibble is that it performs much better than its rather tame image portrays, but that may not be a bad thing . . .
- Val Jessop
FAST FACTS
Ford Focus ST170 5-dr
Price: £16,495
Mechanical: 168bhp, 1,988cc 4 cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 126mph
0-60mph: 8.9 secs
Combined mpg: 31.0
Insurance group: 15
CO2 emissions: 218g/km
BiK rating: 25%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 12yrs anti-rust