Focus ST could be Ford's last traditional hot hatch
Thursday, 21 May 2020
The long-awaited Ford Focus ST has arrived in New Zealand, but anyone hoping for a Golf R-rivaling AWD version from the blue oval will be left disappointed.
This follows confirmation from Ford Performance Europe manager Stefan Muenzinger that the FWD ST was the top dog following the news that there would be no RS version of the current Focus.
Muenzinger confirmed the fact that there would be no AWD version of the ST in the future during a video conference call with local media for the launch of the ST, adding that it could also well be the last conventional hot hatch from Ford due to the increasing regulations surrounding emissions in Europe.
“Manufacturers must meet CO2 targets. I think the answer is somewhat yes' Muenzinger said when asked if the ST could head the hybrid route for its next generation.
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'If you do a fully conventional ‘RS style’ product with CO2 emissions above 200g/km, that really hurts you for your overall fleet compliance. It has a negative impact due to CO2 and penalties.'
“From a fully conventional hot hatch – in the C-segment – I can’t be too specific about future product plans, but it’s tough to do a fully conventional hot hatch in that segment in Europe.”
Muenzinger pointed to the recently cancelled RS as proof of that difficulty, as Ford found the costs of developing a worthy successor to the last RS simply too much to justify, needing to head down the hybrid route to keep emissions down and power up.
Seat has recently gone down the hybrid route for its new Cupra Leon hot hatch, offering lower powered naturally aspirated versions, with the fastest models being AWD plug-in hybrids.
The ST can probably share some blame for the RS's demise too, as it inherits a version of that car's 2.3-litre EcoBoost turbo four-cylinder engine, ramping its power up from the 184kW of the last ST to a healthy 206kW, with Muenzinger saying that, apart from the standing start, the FWD ST is every bit as fast as the AWD RS of old, meaning the next RS would have had to have been a very powerful car indeed.
Answering a question as to whether the ST would eventually get AWD, Muenzinger was clear that would not happen, saying “that would naturally be the RS proposition, but as you know we have officially announced there will be no RS based on the Focus architecture.”
Muenzinger went on to say that the ST didn't need AWD anyway, thanks to the extensive effort Ford Performance has put into the hot hatch's abilities.
“Ok, if you would pull away in the wet in first gear, yes, as a front-wheel-drive car you will struggle with traction and traction control comes in,” he said.
“But anywhere in dry conditions, you would be surprised by the amount of traction you get via the e-diff, and the tuning with it, and the tyres. It’s quite amazing actually.”
And the ST has the spec to back up his claims, with For performance putting particular effort into the ride, handling and steering of the new ST, the most immediate example of which is that e-diff.
Unlike most manufacturers who refer to a fully electric system that uses the traction control and brake as an 'electronic differential', Ford's system is actually an electronically controlled mechanical system that Muenzinger describes as the 'most expensive and most advanced limited slip device you can do.'
Along with the trick diff Ford Performance has also tweaked the ST's steering, with a quicker ratio than the standard Focus and a specific ST tune, while an active damper system with 'triple tube' shock absorbers that adjust to road conditions every two milliseconds using specific ST software is also a feature.
“For ST we think that’s the right technical solution, it’s class-leading in terms of traction control and no all-wheel-drive,” said Muenzinger.
Standard equipment on the new-generation Focus ST includes LED headlights and tail-lights, auto-dipping high beam, a wireless phone charging pad and an 8-inch high-resolution infotainment touchscreen with embedded navigation, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
A heated leather steering wheel, partial leather seats, a sensor key with push-button start, power-folding side mirrors with puddle lamps, ambient LED interior lighting and dual zone air-conditioning are also standard, although New Zealand misses out on the 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system that comes standard in Australia.
The ST also includes a full suite of safety tech such as autonomous emergency braking, blind-zone warning and rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assistance, and radar cruise control with traffic jam assistance.
The new model marks the first time the ST is available with an automatic transmission - a seven-speed unit - with Ford New Zealand only taking the self-shifter, as opposed to the 6-speed manual (carried over from the last RS) that Australia will also get.
Muenzinger says Ford Performance 'looked at the Volkswagen Golf GTI' during development of the ST, saying 'volume-wise it’s the biggest player, that’s not what we targeted - we wanted a much sharper, crisper car”.
He said that the cars Ford is aiming at with the ST is the latest generation of hot hatches such as the Hyundai i30 N and Honda Civic Type R, which the $59,490 ST is priced up against.