First drive: ST focuses on sport

FORD will literally accelerate the performance of its new Euro-built Focus range when the ST170 hot hatch is launched early in 2003.

The range-topping three-door will not only add some zest to Ford's replacement for the Laser, but also find itself quickly in head-to-head competition with new sporty rivals coming to boost the sales heavyweights of the small car class, the Holden Astra and Toyota Corolla range.

Holden will launch a turbocharged version of the Astra hatch early in 2003 producing around 140kW, while Toyota will have the Sportivo Corolla on sale by mid-year, with power coming from the Celica sports coupe's sophisticated four-cylinder 140kW-plus engine.

By comparison to them, the Focus ST170 is down on power, producing 127kW at 7000rpm (the 170 in the name refers to its output in the PS measure), as well as 196 Nm of torque starting at 2000rpm, from its 2.0-litre Duratec ST engine, which is developed from the 96kW four-cylinder already sold in Australia in the Zetec model.

Other technical features unique to the ST compared to its brethren are a six-speed close ratio gearbox, sports suspension, uprated brakes and 17x7-inch alloy wheels mated to low profile 215/45ZR17 tyres.

The looks are addressed as well, although only subtly with the already sharp three-door bodyshape (some markets get a five-door as well) dressed up with upper and lower honeycomb mesh grilles, projector-style foglights and those aforementioned 15-spoke alloy wheels.

There are also body-colour side mouldings, doorhandles, tailgate mouldings and an upper front grille surround to create further differentiation from the rest of the Focus family.

Inside the sports theme continues with white-faced instruments that included additional gauges for oil temperature and pressure, leather trimmed sports seats and drilled-styled metallic pedal covers. Other more traditional luxury interior features include a six-disc CD player, power windows and remote central locking.

Ford's Special Vehicle Engineering (SVE) division developed the ST in Europe (where it was launched in March) out of the cooking models with a series of important technical changes, but without actually altering the fundamental mechanical elements of the car.

The Duratec ST engine, which runs on premium unleaded fuel, has new high-flow aluminium cylinder head with larger inlet valves and higher lift intake and exhaust camshafts for higher peak rpm levels - allowing it to redline at a heady 7250rpm.

There's also continuously variable valve timing to help the spread of power and torque delivery high compression, cast-aluminium pistons and forged steel connecting rods a dual mass flywheel to counter noise and vibration, a new dual stage intake manifold using longer runners for low-end torque and shorter runners for higher peak power outputs and a larger bore free-flowing stainless steel exhaust system.

All that results in a claimed 0-100km/h dash time of around 8.0 seconds and a top speed close to 230km/h. But at the other end of the performance scale, it also maintains a Euro IV emissions rating.

The engine is mated exclusively to a Getrag close-ratio six-speed gearbox, which has a twin-layshaft design that allow it to fit in the same space as standard Focus' five-speed.

Interestingly, the dual layshafts each have their own final drive ratio to the differential with first, second, fifth and sixth on one shaft and third, fourth and reverse on the other. That means the ST170's gear ratio table is different to the norm, without the usual descending order from first to sixth. But the different final drive ratios means the gears do slot into the right order.

Changes to the MacPherson strut front and Control Blade rear suspension include new 10 per cent stiffer springs, larger-diameter dampers and front lower control arms. The car's power steering gearing was also revised and a new power steering pump fitted. The VDC AdvanveTrac stability control system is an added standard handling feature for the ST, although it can be switched off.

Brake power has been boosted with larger discs front and rear, up to 300mm at the front from 258mm, and up to 280mm at the rear from 253mm. New callipers and four-channel ABS add to the braking power.

The one thing we can't tell you about the ST170 is the price. Ford's holding that back until closer to the car's launch in the first quarter of 2003. But judging by the performance and equipment level, somewhere around the $35,000 level would appear to be appropriate.

DRIVE IMPRESSIONS:

The ST170 is an attempt by Ford to capitalise on its world rally championship heritage, the Focus being the current car of choice for the likes of Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz. But the ST, is not the ultimate Focus.

That honour goes to the storming new Focus RS, the 160kW turbo hot hatch that has just knocked off the iconic Subaru Impreza WRX in two UK motoring magazines comparisons.

We may or may not see that car here in extremely limited numbers at some stage, but in the meantime the ST is not a bad entree for Ford into the hot hatch market.

Our first taste of the car was last weekend in New Zealand, driving the roads north and south of Auckland following the world rally championship round. From that we came away impressed with the tightness and solidity of the package, rather than being blown away by outstanding performance.

The engine is a super-enthusiastic clean revver and very linear in its delivery, rather than there being any noticeable steps in levels of its go, all that backed up by a nice, rorty exhaust noise when the revs are climbing.

The power channels through to the front wheels without any indication of torque steer back through the steering and the level of feel that comes back through the wheel is excellent.

The suspension is similarly competent, obviously honed to improve handling and keep the car flat when cornering, but without sacrificing ride quality. It feels quite firm, and struggles for travel over the largest bumps, but is compliant enough to be liveable for day-to-day commuting. Perhaps the biggest trade-off is the amount of tyre roar generated by the low-profile rubber.

The package is rounded out by a sweet gearchange action, a positive and malleable clutch action and good brake feel and response.

Inside the cockpit is very recognisably Focus, with the addition of those extra gauges, those heavily bolstered sports seats that hold you in place very well and a nicely sized sports steering wheel. The presentation is dark, with blue trim interspersed among the black and dark grey - typically European in that regard.

There are other attributes and deficiencies that are familiar across the Focus range, like excellent space in the rear area for adult passengers and height and reach adjustable steering, while on the downside is the lack of a left footrest for the driver.

Overall, it's hard not to like the ST170. It's a car that enjoys being driven quickly but without eschewing everyday ability. As a performance King for the Focus range - at least for now - it does the job admirably.

How it stacks up against the turbo Astra and Corolla Sportivo is another question. But it should be an enjoyable one to answer.