The ST badge first appeared in 2002 with the Mk1 Focus ST170. As a medium tackle the hardcore RS, its 167bhp 2.0-litre Duratec engine wasn’t the liveliest, however mixed with the already sensible Mk1 Focus chassis, it delivered an extremely candy and compelling bundle.
Issues went in a distinct path with the 2005 Mk2 Focus ST. This era was greater, heavier, and arguably much less delicate, adopting a extra thuggish allure backed by a charismatic 222bhp, 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine. Sharing its structure with the RS that adopted, it was a correct GT scorching hatch that had consumers questioning if they honestly wanted the flagship quick Ford.
The Mk3 ST of 2012 proved to be a uncommon stumble for Ford. Its 247bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine lacked the character of its five-pot predecessor, and the chassis struggled to deploy the ability successfully, leading to a frustratingly compromised drive.
Fortunately, the Mk4 corrected the ST’s course. Launched with 276bhp and 420Nm of torque, it efficiently re-injected management and precision and, whereas it maybe could not match the all-out tempo of a Honda Civic Type R, it was a cohesive complete, demonstrating a welcome return to type for the quick Focus.
The shrinking scorching hatch scene
The Focus ST is the most recent casualty within the quickly shrinking European scorching hatch phase, becoming a member of the lately axed Honda Civic Kind R (as a consequence of stricter emissions), Hyundai i20 N and i30 N, and the long-gone Peugeot 308 GTi.
Whereas some choices stay, together with the Volkswagen Golf GTI/R, Cupra Leon, and Audi S3/RS3 Sportback, the longer term seems to be more and more bleak. With tightening emissions rules and 2030 marking the top of latest combustion automobile gross sales within the UK, petrol-powered scorching hatches are a dying breed.
Ford has pushed the ST badge onto the Puma ST, however whereas the compact crossover is dynamically sound, the mild-hybrid powertrain (with dual-clutch auto ‘field) that has changed the 1.5-litre, three-cylinder engine (with six-speed handbook transmission) means it’s a shadow of its former Fiesta-based self.
As automakers give attention to electrical alternate options, just like the Abarth 500e, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, Alpine A290 and VW ID.3 GTX, it is clear the glory days of the mass-market petrol scorching hatch are formally over. The Focus ST shall be sorely missed.
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