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The new 217bhp Ford Focus ST is due on sale this year. Nicked named the new
XR3i by some purists, but branded under the new ST range, the car will be
the latest generation of performance Focus to be considered in the highly
competitive world of the hot hatch. Weighing 1323kg we predict the car to
have a theoretical 0-60 time of 6.53secs and on to 100mph in pretty quick
16.47secs. On the road the 1/4mile theory time could be 14.92secs at
95.15mph, and take this to a drag strip and this could be slightly quicker
at 14.72secs at 96.81mph.
What has come to our attention is that the previous fast FWD Focus, the
RS, was quoted at 212bhp, but further research showed that current owners
were seeing closer to 230-235bhp on rolling roads. So could the ST produce
more than its 217bhp, time will tell, but the figures could change.
In the current market the ST will be competing with the new Astra VXR,
new Golf GTI, Civic Type R, and Alfa 147 GTA to name a few. The VXR, on
release at roughly the same time as the ST, is quoted as having 237bhp and
1393kg. With such figures we calculate slightly faster times of 6.33secs to
60, but more importantly 100mph will be reached in 15.59secs, half a second
quicker than the ST mainly thanks to its higher BHP. 1/4mile times for the
VXR could be 14.69secs at 97.07mph and 14.49secs at 98.76mph in drag strip
conditions, incredibly quick for a FWD hatch indeed, but is it the quickest?
The new Golf GTI, considered one of the best hot hatches on the road,
runs 197bhp and 1328kg. As fast as it is, this produces a 0-60 theory time
of 7.12secs and 100 in 18.64secs, only just quicker than the old Golf mk3
VR6. The GTi’s 1/4mile times are calculated as 15.52secs at 91.25mph on the
road, and 15.32secs 92.81mph in drag surface conditions. The current Civic
Type R produces the same 197bhp, but with a lighter 1204kg we calculate a
0-60 time of 6.57secs and 100 in 16.85secs. Providing you could get the
power down, then the Civic’s 1/4mile time could be 14.97secs at 94.25mph on
the road, and as low as 14.77secs at 95.90mph on the drag strip.
Both the ST and VXR are out gunned though by the current, and maniac
247bhp Alfa 147 GTA. With such power going through the front wheels and
1360kg, we calculate 0-60 in 6.00secs dead, and 8.53secs later its hitting
100mph. A 0-100 time of 14.53secs in a front wheel drive, or be it a mad
wheel spinning, road car would have been a dream a few years back, but its
now possible. Its road 1/4mile time suggest 14.36secs at 99.38mph, and
14.16secs at 101.13mph.
In summary, the Focus ST will be quick, but from a straight line
performance point of view, we calculate it won’t be much different than the
Focus RS it replaced, and not as quick as its main rival, the new VXR. The
handling? Well no doubt the goal posts will have moved on further from the
RS, and that was very quick on the track.
* Please note this article is based on the site’s theory figures using
its own formulas |
