 |
|
Tiscali in association with New Car Net brings you the latest roadtest reports.
29/4/2002 - Ford Focus ST 170 |
By Graham Whyte
The Getrag six-speeder (as used on the new Cooper S) not only provides hot-blooded journos with the means to keep the mill at Mach 1, it also does its bit for ratio relations when it comes to matching road speed with the torque envelope to exploit the ST's alter ego. A complex twin layshaft arrangement allows a close-ratio configuration for gears four, five and six, while delivering normal spacing in the lower gears. Add to this the fact that 85 per cent of the 196 Nm peak torque is accessible from just 2200 rpm at it becomes obvious that the ST is a tale of two kitties. It will purr along like your favourite moggie or deliver cheetah-like performance when the mood strikes.
I have to say, the mood frequently struck. Never one to fight shy of temptation, I thought I would explore the upper limits of the ST's output curve, which climbs like a lift from the basement to seventh heaven before abruptly hitting the stops at 7350 rpm. The peak power is quoted as 173 PS (Pfunde Starke), which as just over 170 bhp, hence the moniker. And with torque peaking at 5500 rpm it is easy to work out that the playground is quite small, hence the close ratios in upper reaches of the 'box.
In my opinion, the rev limiter is set too low. When it cuts in, the engine is still breathing easily and surely has to be good for at least 8k, which would just raise it above the sweet spot at which snap changes would do most good. But a word of warning: do not drive this car with the window closed. In a similar fashion to the Honda VTEC engine, near the top of its curve, Ford's new Duratec VVT unit emits a sound signature guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Not the rictus grin you see on the face of certain MPV drivers, but genuine mirth as the engine note strikes a chord deep down in the human psyche. Why God invented horses before Karl Benz I shall never know.
But all of this is no good if the thing lets go at the slightest provocation, which would sometimes happen in the good old, bad old days when extra power was added to platforms lacking the torsional stiffness to make it stick. Modern production techniques like laser welding have changed all that and the Focus platform is stiffer than a Connex baguette. Even so, the men (and women) in white coats have not relied on the intrinsic qualities alone and much has been done to balance the infusion of steroids.
Starting with the drive shafts, which have been enlarged to cope with the extra power and torque, the ST also has heftier anti-roll bars, lowered and stiffened suspension, larger wheels, bigger brakes (ex-Mondeo) and a slightly revised steering rack. Meaning Sports Technologies, the ST is said by the company to be '...engineered for enthusiasts, by enthusiasts.'
But the enthusiasm stops short of dropping in class-leading power. Fun as it might be, the ST Focus occupies only a mid-field position in a trio of new-age hot hatches. Its power and performance is no match for the 200 bhp Civic Type-R but it just manages to outpace the 5-cylinder Stilo Abarth, which is also plated at 170 bhp. The Fiat clocks 62 mph in 8.5 seconds and the Ford in 8.1 seconds. Both have a top speed of 134 mph.
At 31 mpg on the combined cycle, the ST looks to have a slight drink problem, both relative to the Civic, which is altogether faster, and to the Stilo, which has a much bigger engine.
|
 |
 |
© 2002 |
| Content supplied by: |
 |
|
|
Click an image for more details
 |
|
|
Font size