FORD has launched its latest challenger to the perennial hot hatch segment leader, Volkswagen’s Golf GTI, in the form of the Focus ST, offering better performance at a cheaper price.

Priced $1800 above the XR5 Turbo it replaces, the Focus ST nevertheless represents better value than before with its more powerful yet more economical EcoBoost engine, as well as improved specification, providing hot hatch buyers with an even harder choice.

Our first taste of the Blue Oval’s global performance car on the national launch proved it to be mighty impressive, but not without its faults.