Friday, July 20, 2012
The 2013 Ford Focus ST Brings New Life to the Compact Hatchback
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First Impressions of the Invigorating New Ford Focus ST For several years now, Ford has been focusing on sporty, economical cars that can appeal to a global audience. Some of the biggest buzz surrounding Ford's 2013 lineup isn't over the classic Mustang or the timeless F-150, however. The Ford Focus, the hit of 2011, has been one of the company's strongest entries in an aggressive push to freshen up its image. 2013 sees the continuation of the standard Focus model, but also the introduction of the speedy Focus ST.
Hatchbacks with a bit of bite to them have been in vogue for some time now, and Ford has compiled decades of knowledge to transform the solid, if somewhat bland, Focus into a fun, respectable competitor on both the track and the road. The automotive industry got its first good look at the ST at its recent unveiling in France, and it's safe to say that few left disappointed.
The Exterior
The Ford Focus ST proves that a compact hatchback can be just as striking as any sports car. It rides lower to the ground than a standard Focus and features a unique grill, bumper and distinctive 18" tires. The Focus ST is all sleek curves that nevertheless convey a feeling of power and forward motion. Where some hatchbacks can look a bit "bubbly," there's no mistaking the performance-oriented nature of the Focus ST.
Even if drivers never take this little car to the track, it's sure to stand out on the highway. The United States will only be receiving the five-door hatch model, but a heavier wagon version will be made available to foreign markets.
The Interior
The good looks of the Focus ST don't stop at the door, however. This car is still first and foremost a daily driver, albeit one with some real style to it. The interior is thus designed with comfort in mind, and is roomy for a vehicle of the Focus ST's size. On the road, the ride is surprisingly smooth and quiet. The cabin is filled with quality, durable materials that look good and feel better, particularly with the optional Recaro seats.
The ST excels at cornering, and to accommodate the sometimes wild turns the seats are designed to hold passengers in place without feeling restrictive. The dash and console are packed with all of the latest gadgets and displays, but don't detract from the driving experience.
The Powertrain
Of course, the ST's beefed-up appearance would mean almost nothing without the muscle to back it up. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine may not seem like the right place to start, but Ford has wrung every last drop of power from the turbocharged EcoBoost. The Focus ST is estimated to make the run from zero to 60 in 6.5 seconds, although it will likely improve on that with actual testing. The six-speed manual transmission did its job readily enough and never held the car up, even under strenuous performance.
The inclusion of what Ford has called a "sound symposer" in the exhaust system amplifies the more desirable noises and mutes any whines and whistles, but the ST is still an incredibly quiet vehicle. Whether that strikes drivers as a good or a bad thing will be a matter of personal preference. Fuel economy figures have yet to be released, but Ford is expecting at least 30 miles to the gallon on the highway.
Handling and Performance
The Ford Focus ST is not the fastest car on the market, and it doesn't try to be. Instead, that zippy acceleration is simply an accessory to its magnificent handling. Steering is light and responsive: perhaps even too responsive. When the electronic steering assist is turned on, turns feel a bit sluggish, while when operating manually the lack of feedback can lead to some sloppy over-steering. It takes time to adjust to the feather-weight controls, but upon familiarity they turn into an exhilarating experience. In the right hands, a Focus ST can turn on a dime with greater precision than any other car available. This hatchback hungers for maximum performance and will reward anyone willing to push it to its limits.
Overall, the 2013 Ford Focus ST overcomes many of the common flaws seen in other hot hatchbacks. It doesn't sacrifice commuting comfort for track records, and has something to offer nearly everyone. The Focus ST looks set to become the standout of its class, and will certainly give its more established competitors a run for their money.
Sources:
http://www.edmunds.com/ford/focus-st/2013/road-test.html
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/hatchbacks/1206_2013_ford_focus_st_first_drive/
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/25/2013-ford-focus-st-first-drive-review/
Getting the cheapest car insurance for your car is easy if you do an online quote comparison at kanetix.ca/auto-insurance where you can compare quotes offered by different insurance providers in one instance. Kanetix has been helping Canadians save money on their insurance since 1999. Shop online today at www.kanetix.ca.
Hatchbacks with a bit of bite to them have been in vogue for some time now, and Ford has compiled decades of knowledge to transform the solid, if somewhat bland, Focus into a fun, respectable competitor on both the track and the road. The automotive industry got its first good look at the ST at its recent unveiling in France, and it's safe to say that few left disappointed.
The Exterior
The Ford Focus ST proves that a compact hatchback can be just as striking as any sports car. It rides lower to the ground than a standard Focus and features a unique grill, bumper and distinctive 18" tires. The Focus ST is all sleek curves that nevertheless convey a feeling of power and forward motion. Where some hatchbacks can look a bit "bubbly," there's no mistaking the performance-oriented nature of the Focus ST.
Even if drivers never take this little car to the track, it's sure to stand out on the highway. The United States will only be receiving the five-door hatch model, but a heavier wagon version will be made available to foreign markets.
The Interior
The good looks of the Focus ST don't stop at the door, however. This car is still first and foremost a daily driver, albeit one with some real style to it. The interior is thus designed with comfort in mind, and is roomy for a vehicle of the Focus ST's size. On the road, the ride is surprisingly smooth and quiet. The cabin is filled with quality, durable materials that look good and feel better, particularly with the optional Recaro seats.
The ST excels at cornering, and to accommodate the sometimes wild turns the seats are designed to hold passengers in place without feeling restrictive. The dash and console are packed with all of the latest gadgets and displays, but don't detract from the driving experience.
The Powertrain
Of course, the ST's beefed-up appearance would mean almost nothing without the muscle to back it up. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine may not seem like the right place to start, but Ford has wrung every last drop of power from the turbocharged EcoBoost. The Focus ST is estimated to make the run from zero to 60 in 6.5 seconds, although it will likely improve on that with actual testing. The six-speed manual transmission did its job readily enough and never held the car up, even under strenuous performance.
The inclusion of what Ford has called a "sound symposer" in the exhaust system amplifies the more desirable noises and mutes any whines and whistles, but the ST is still an incredibly quiet vehicle. Whether that strikes drivers as a good or a bad thing will be a matter of personal preference. Fuel economy figures have yet to be released, but Ford is expecting at least 30 miles to the gallon on the highway.
Handling and Performance
The Ford Focus ST is not the fastest car on the market, and it doesn't try to be. Instead, that zippy acceleration is simply an accessory to its magnificent handling. Steering is light and responsive: perhaps even too responsive. When the electronic steering assist is turned on, turns feel a bit sluggish, while when operating manually the lack of feedback can lead to some sloppy over-steering. It takes time to adjust to the feather-weight controls, but upon familiarity they turn into an exhilarating experience. In the right hands, a Focus ST can turn on a dime with greater precision than any other car available. This hatchback hungers for maximum performance and will reward anyone willing to push it to its limits.
Overall, the 2013 Ford Focus ST overcomes many of the common flaws seen in other hot hatchbacks. It doesn't sacrifice commuting comfort for track records, and has something to offer nearly everyone. The Focus ST looks set to become the standout of its class, and will certainly give its more established competitors a run for their money.
Sources:
http://www.edmunds.com/ford/focus-st/2013/road-test.html
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/hatchbacks/1206_2013_ford_focus_st_first_drive/
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/25/2013-ford-focus-st-first-drive-review/
Getting the cheapest car insurance for your car is easy if you do an online quote comparison at kanetix.ca/auto-insurance where you can compare quotes offered by different insurance providers in one instance. Kanetix has been helping Canadians save money on their insurance since 1999. Shop online today at www.kanetix.ca.
This post was written by: Franklin Manuel
Franklin Manuel is a professional blogger, web designer and front end web developer. Follow him on Twitter
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