Test drive Ford Focus 4 doors 2005 - 2007 sedan

Focus special purpose

The ST model differs from the usual Focus, like a rocket from a airship

To stop forced me to wave a striped stick.
The senior inspector of the battalion of a separate control regiment on a special trace, a person in uniform for a long and not clearly introduced himself, out of habit, looking at the car and the driver with an assessing gaze.
Did you like the color? I allow myself not a completely correct question I moved in a dense stream.
The reason is always called! The inspector immediately reported immediately and cheerfully, but immediately asked: why don't they sell them?
They sell, only this one costs more, because it is not ordinary Focus, but Focus ST.
But still this is Ford, a policeman made a strange conclusion, returning the documents and wishing a good way. I did not even immediately understand why I felt offended for the car resolutely offensive in the name of the third in the world by the size of the company. Then I figured out my feelings: there are more and more tricks on the roads, but this is a special one, capable of treading any tires, even Pirelli. And the nameplate with the inscription ST is almost invisible

Orange mood

If anyone wants to express considerations regarding the color of the car and the emotions that he causes, welcome to our Internet forum. Personally, I like such a color. Not only because it allocates the car in the stream to the delight of the traffic police inspectors, but what creates a special mood, positive for others, and aggressive and sports with the driver. A serious car is immediately clear before you. Yes, his appearance is recognizable as his own reflection in the mirror. But pay attention not only to the insolent color, but also to expressive bumpers with metal inserts, for a complete set of spoilers, overlays, 18-inch wheels with low-profile rubber, finally a decreased clearance. Tuning product? Yes, only native, factory.

Inside the same feelings. The steering wheel is smaller and thicker, it is as pleasant to the touch as the knob of the lever of the mechanical gearbox with an aluminum insert. The Recaro seat shackles the body in sports hugs, and has some incredible range of adjustments. Even an ergonomic misunderstanding (from my point of view) of the new Focus, which is expressed in a rather high arrangement of the front seats with a somewhat littered pillow, is not particularly noticeable here.

The steering column, of course, is regulated both in height and by departure. There are metal inserts on the steering wheel, with red letters ST on the lower ray. The pedals are also metal with rubber pimples, which allows you to fix the foot well. In the upper part of the front panel, a small fungus with three promising round temperature and oil pressure sensors, as well as boost pressure. I would like to immediately turn the key in the ignition lock. But this first action does not really inspire the bass notes of the motor so far are barely audible. It is understandable under the hood of the Volvo power unit, thoroughly, however, processed in the Ford Team RS sports unit. A wonderful motor is not the same from Volvo, but the one that turned out to be Ford. In the power unit replaced the injections of injection, intake and exhaust manifold, turbine and ignition scheme, and also installed a new, lightweight flywheel. As a result, 225 hp. Power and 320 nm of the maximum torque, accessible, note, already at 1600 rpm. Eh, there would also be an orange seat belt (in this car I somehow fastened immediately). Let's go, or rather it began

In the rhythm of rock and roll

Smoothly squeezing the supple clutch and turning on the first gear, which is accompanied by a pleasant, slightly audible metallic fiber, I touch the place. I would be more honest to detect, although the car has a drive on one front axle, and under the wheels there were dirt, snow and a little ice under this day. But still presses, and the electronic stabilization system immediately reminds of itself by winking a yellow indicator on the instrument panel, although it is clearly not able to completely cope with the torque. Turn it off. What for? In order to fully understand what kind of beast is such ST, in its pure form, without reins.

We skid immediately, always, everywhere. Ending the thickness of the mucus mucus until the sweet moment of adhesion with asphalt. The salon is filled with such a sound, as if you are in a rally car at one of the specials of the World WRC championship. This is the sound of sounds, a lingering howl, roar. If there was an appropriate prize, in this class I would give it ST. And music is not needed here. In the truth, I don’t even remember how it sounds the melody of the motor and the exhaust system at high speeds, this is also a kind of rock and roll. And yet it seemed to me that the ST engine reveals all its animal nature after 3500 rpm. If you maintain it at such a mark that it is not difficult thanks to a clear and short course of the lever of a mechanical 6-speed KP, then the trip turns into some kind of crazy flight. The result of which entirely and completely depends on the level of preparation of the driver. At the same time, it is pleasant for the barracks that does not twitch, like a Chinese blank during an earthquake, holds even, and only constant vibration from the front wheels resembles that they are skidding. The car is implicitly obedient to the steering wheel. And only powerful brake mechanisms can stop this race, which, thank God, did not forget to install here.

The suspension, we note, is quite adequate. ST shock absorbers became 30%tougher, and stabilizers are fat. The clearance is reduced by 15 mm, due to shorter and hard springs. Therefore, despite the crazy pace, you feel quite confident. Of course, the fossa is tangible in general, the suspension is tough. However, elastic, and only a couple of times it frankly pierced. But in that my fault has nothing to rush headlong along Moscow roads, spring once again turned into new potholes, swollen joints and lack of markings on most highways (with the exception of the left lanes on Kutuzovsky Prospekt, of course). But in the turns of the krenits exactly as necessary as it is necessary to clearly feel how, in fact, it is difficult to tires. And if it breaks down, then predictable and, most importantly, controlled. Let's see, of course, how things will be on dry asphalt, when the limits move further, and the speeds will increase. I hope to get st for a week or two in the summer. However, now this car is capable of a lot. The main thing is that the driver gives himself a report. And do not draw parallels with the usual Focus, ST different.

Honest price

Yes, I believe that the cost of $ 29,950 is justified. At least in that the closest and main competitor Astra Turbo is a little more expensive. And cars like Golf GTI are not considered as an alternative, unless, of course, there is a desire to obviously overpay for the VW folk brand.

Text: Andrey Osipov

A source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 6 (96), 2006]