 |
|
Tiscali in association with New Car Net brings you the latest roadtest reports.
29/4/2002 - Ford Focus ST 170 |
By Graham Whyte
Pricewise, the Honda offers best pound-to-performance value at £15,995. Otherwise it's a toss-up between the Ford at an identical £15,995 or the Fiat at £15,635, which is cheaper but a bit tardy. The Ford has the strongest pedigree but straight out of the box lacks some of the kit that makes the others arguably better value. Recaro seats are a must, if only because the standard sports seats have no height adjustment.
But the seats come with baggage - a music upgrade and metallic paint, neither of which improve the ergonomics but bump the option up to a hefty £2,000. Those weren't fitted to the test car but it did have ESP (£750 and best left switched off for maximum performance and tactile feedback, and therefore pointless unless you wear a cardigan) and a £750 'comfort pack', which comprises electronic temperature control, heated front screen and those gimmicky Xenon headlamps that turn the road ahead into a scene lit by Hitchcock. In case you've lost track, the car as tested would cost you £17,445.
Aimed at Golf buyers (what isn't?) the ST paves the way for the blown RS model due in the shops in the autumn. Both cars, plus the 2.0-litre Zetec model, represent the 'sporting' arm of the Focus model hierarchy, which splits at mid range. The other arm pursues the half-timbered look and is topped with the wood 'n' leather Ghia.
Instead of being resplendent with life's little luxuries, the ST package assumes you are mildly techie and will appreciate muted greys and plain, part-leather upholstery. The fascia is pretty much standard Focus but with the addition of two extra gauges - oil temperature and pressure - that are so small and so far off the line of sight that they serve little purpose. More meaningful is the oil cooler slotted behind the 'New Edge' grille to which these minuscule instruments are attached.
Drivers will feel equally well attached to the ST. In traditional Ford fashion, the Focus is ergonomically sound although shorter drivers will perhaps whinge about the low fixed seating position, not helped by limited adjustment to the steering-wheel rake. But, that aside, this is a car to live with. Fast when you want it, docile if needs be and packed with the sound common-sense engineering and usability that has made the Focus a market leader. And thanks to the Dunton boffins you most certainly will not be in peril on the cam.
|
 |
 |
© 2002 |
| Content supplied by: |
 |
|
|
Click an image for more details
 |
|
|
Font size