The hatchback Ford Focus ST based on the second generation of "Focus", at the time of its appearance, became the most powerful and fastest modification of the Focus. Before him, the most powerful and fastest of the "Focuses" was the Ford Focus 1 RS. But, when the manufacturer had already planned to create a "second generation RS" (and originally the plans were exactly that), then suddenly a 2.5-liter engine from Volvo "caught my eye" - as a result, Ford's people decided, first of all, find an application for this power unit (actually in the second generation ST's) and only then focus on the second generation RS - this is the strategy outlined in a kind of "arms race".
Be that as it may - the Ford Focus 2 ST proved to be a worthy successor to the tradition of "charged hatchbacks": it runs around the Nürburgring Northern loop 10 seconds faster than the RS of the first generation.
The external differences of the ST modification from the standard "civil Focus" are skillfully hidden from the uninitiated. The only thing that catches the eye is the wheel rims of the original design, and the exhaust pipes spaced on both sides of the bumper. And only a trained eye will notice the repeaters "turn signals" on the front fenders, a different radiator grille and actually a new front bumper.
The interior of this car is designed in a strict sports style - nothing superfluous, but a lot of necessary instruments and, obligatory, sports seats with pronounced lateral support.
If we talk about the technical characteristics of the Ford Focus 2 ST - here, as we noted above, the engine borrowed by Ford's in the Volvo division. It is a five-cylinder turbocharged power unit with an in-line arrangement of cylinders, the working volume of which is almost 2.5 liters. From this displacement, Ford minders have successfully removed 225 liters. with. at 6000 rpm (i.e. 25 more horsepower than their Swedish counterparts). As a result, we got 6.8 seconds to accelerate from zero to 100 km / h.
The Ford Focus II ST has only one complete set. For most of the points, it repeats the list of equipment of the "normal" configuration of Trend, but there are also differences: 18-inch alloy wheels, metal pedals, Recaro sports seats, ESP stabilization system, rain sensor. In addition, the ST modification naturally has reinforced suspension and brakes. Ford Focus 2 ST was offered at a price of ~ $ 30,500.
In 2008, the Focus 2 ST was restyled, which affected exclusively its appearance, leaving the technical part unchanged.
In general, it can be noted that the Ford Focus 2 ST hatchback is not as refined in appearance (as, for example, the Citroen C4 VTS), but it has complete order with its driving characteristics. This was confirmed by the factory testers, who rolled the car into the tail and into the mane on the Nürburgring Northern loop. By the way, calm and discreet appearance has its advantages: such a car, in a sense, hides the income level of its owner and the character of its owner. You can always say: "Why? ... I have an ordinary Ford Focus ...".
