Ford Focus ST

Ford's Focus is the stuff of rally legend, especially in Europe where it triumphed on numerous occasions. Brought to Australia to replace the much loved and top selling Laser, it hasn't yet had the same effect on the market here, which is a shame as it has so much to offer.
The current Focus is one heck of a car.
On test here is the sporty ST.
If ever a hot hatch was going to rival the benchmark VW Golf GTi this is it.
The ST uses the same basic Ecoboost turbo two litre four cylinder petrol engine, found in the current Falcon and also the XF Jaguar. (tested elsewhere in this blog.)
There's no doubt the ST is a stylish car, but that's not it's main claim to fame.
On entering the cabin I found it a little squeezy, being 183 cm tall. But it didn't take too long to orientate myself in the hip hugging Recaro buckets. (they might be a little too huggy for those who are a bit broad in the beam,) but I managed to get comfy straight away.
The fascia on first glance is a bewildering array of buttons. It took a good five to ten minutes to work out what did what.. It's fussy, but eminently functional, once I familiarised myself.
The centre screen does multiple tasks from audio, to sat nav and bluetooth linkup.
It's also the screen for the reversing camera. 
There's keyless entry and push button start. The 184 kw engine is very civilised, and will tootle around town happily in fifth or sixth gear, such is the broad spread of torque..380 nm. 
But when asked to give its all, the acceleration is astonishing....zero to 100 in six and a half seconds.
The gearbox has a smooth precise action and is a delight to use.
I averaged about 9 litres per hundred kilometres during my week of mostly urban driving.
As with some sporty hatches, unfortunately there's no "hot note," or rorty rasp from the twin centre mounted exhausts,(like the Golf R) but there is a marvellous snarl from  beneath the bonnet, the only aural sign this is a real performance car.
The electric steering is amazing... extremely direct off centre, the ST darts through corners exactly where you want it to.. the sensitivity suits the car, and inspires spirited driving.
I thought I would be in for a kidney bashing ride, but was surprised to find that's not the case. Yes it's firm , but compliant over urban ruts and undulations, even on its 40 series tyres.
Through the twisty bits it is just magical... taking all corners in its stride with neutral finesse. Ford engineers also seem to have banished the dreaded torque steer, such is the precision  of the electronics,chassis and drivetrain.
Night time illumination is also excellent both inside and out. The headlights throw a bright beam on low and display a vast area of light on high beam.. very comforting on the highway.
Inside, the dashboard is a  mixture of white and blue backlighting, with red instrument needles. 
And there's even a touch of Audi style class,with an ambient red glow overhead, at each door handle,on the console, and in the driver's footwell.
Considering the competence of the ST in so many areas, its price tag of  just over 38 K, is extremely competitive.
Among hot hatch contenders, the ST is an absolute standout, and worth a lengthy test drive that I guarantee will have you grinning.
Peter Sellen