RE: Aggressive pricing for new Ford Focus ST

[vsonix]

billybob69 said:

ford are the peoples car not a bad thing but will always struggle to compete with vw

VW = Volks Wagen = People's car.

but I know what you mean.

I don't mind driving Fords, as hire cars, or courtesy cars or whatever; I just don't think I'd ever pick one over any of the more exotic or soulful offerings on the market as a long-term ownership prospect, especially not with the looks of the current lot. They're either too brash and lairy or bland and soulless.

[FWDRacer]

Redlake27 said:

I think this will be a winner. Everything that was good about the old ST, but with some decent fuel efficiency.

There's something so good about the basic Focus platform that VW, Renault (except on RS), Audi etc just don't seem to be able to match. A combination of suppleness, perfect steering weight, feedback, adjustability and balance.

I got in a Econetic Diesel hire car the other day, and despite the best efforts of its Energy Saving tyres and strangled engine, it couldn't disguise its inherent talent.

You are so Right! I had the latest shape 1.6 Titanium as a company smoker for 6moths. Engine - Gutless (125PS of shetland ponies). But the chassis on 18" wheels - another planet to the competition. Fluid, supple - it made wringing the neck of it a joy. It was a great hatch I was willing to forgive the powertrain! With 200+ hp and a cheaper sticker price it'll wake up Vee Dub and Renault - guaranteed. Those bemoaning only 5-door looks on a Hot Hatch? Think Mk1 Leon - nobody gave a tinkers cuss.

[rob.e]

Estate looks good, but even at £23k its expensive compared to a vRS octavia at £21, plus the skoda has a much bigger boot (which is pretty much the point of estate cars, right?!)

[stuckmojo]

Fine, but it still looks fking terrible in my eyes. The standard Focus without the basking shark looks is much nicer to me.

[roystinho]

Zwolf said:

Penneth said:

No LSD either from what I can gather?

Rendered "obsolete" by the standard fitment of torque vectoring control I expect...

That and if a mechanical LSD is part of a £7k upgrade package on a CLK63 AMG, I suspect such a thing is going to be absent from a warm hatch with half the power at a third of the price.

Edited by Zwolf on Tuesday 29th May 00:24

It's only a £1350 so stick it on the megane 265 to make it 'cupped'. Pity there isn't something similar. Especially as the VXR Astra has a mechanical LSD too

[Zwolf]

roystinho said:

It's only a £1350 so stick it on the megane 265 to make it 'cupped'. Pity there isn't something similar. Especially as the VXR Astra has a mechanical LSD too

It seems it's possible via Mountune to add a Quaife ATB helical LSD to the (Volvo) M66 6 speed manual gearbox used in both this and the last ST.

http://www.mountunestore.com/Product/Quaife-ATB-di...

£700 inc VAT - presumably plus fitting.

[roystinho]

Zwolf said:

roystinho said:

It's only a £1350 so stick it on the megane 265 to make it 'cupped'. Pity there isn't something similar. Especially as the VXR Astra has a mechanical LSD too

It seems it's possible via Mountune to add a Quaife ATB helical LSD to the (Volvo) M66 6 speed manual gearbox used in both this and the last ST.

http://www.mountunestore.com/Product/Quaife-ATB-di...

£700 inc VAT - presumably plus fitting.

If covered by warranty that would be a great addition - he says without driving it. But you know what I mean. LSD only enhances in my opinion

[Zwolf]

roystinho said:

If covered by warranty that would be a great addition - he says without driving it. But you know what I mean. LSD only enhances in my opinion

Possibly, I've only reference for the difference one makes to a RWD vehicle vs the same RWD vehicle with an open diff and it's the single biggest weakness of an XJR that would be a much more effective supersaloon if it had one, possibly then better than/preferable to a contemporary M5 for me.

No idea about front drivers really, but I'd generally put anything that reduces torque steer and improves traction of a torquey front-driver as a good thing as those are the things I least like about them. That and a tendency to understeer, which LSDs can exacerbate in cars of either axle of drive as I understand it.

But who knows, the electronics that simulate the effect of a mechanical LSD by way of "torque vectoring" may well be sufficient - it's good enough for the latest 911 (which admittedly does have an LSD as an option too I think) so should be fine for a warmed over Focus. I presume there will follow an RS that should have one as standard (complete with a jump in price). For £22k, I think this ST should be a very capable package out of the box.

[Justin S]

Is it a Ford engine or the french PSA lump ?

[Zwolf]

Justin S said:

Is it a Ford engine or the french PSA lump ?

Ford EcoBoost, shared with LandRover and Volvo.

[pimpin gimp]

KMB said:

...and more importantly, will we get a new RS version?


Please.

I hope to god they don't do one. It's a horrid looking car and would only dilute the RS world.

[FamilyDub]

I'm liking the Estate version best!

Is it's engine going to be characterful enough after the 2.5 5-pot, though?

[nickfrog]

FamilyDub said:

Is it's engine going to be characterful enough after the 2.5 5-pot, though?

I doubt it but at least the tank shouldn't if refilling every 200 miles...

[HighwayStar]

I've never been a big fan of Ford, especially back in the day when they and serious lost their way. Never wanted one. With the early Mondeo and Focus models I would happily acknowledge Ford had come good, worthy cars. Never liked the look of the previous Focus but had one as a hire car for work and as I expected a fine steer. My girlie likes the latest Focus, if she wants one, no problem with that but... They just leave me cold. I don't care how good it is on paper or subjectively, visually it doesn't move me at all... I want great handling/dynamics AND visual appeal. I can certainly see the appeal of the old ST but this new ST... I don't see the appeal at all... 5 doors and the body kit, usually one of Ford's strong points, looks like an after thought or after market. This won't turn my head at all. Doubt I'll every own a Ford.

[6R4 GORDI]

I reckon it looks good, a lot more interesting than a golf and on par with vauxhall and renault,just because they won't make a 3door doesn't automatically make this a bad lookin wagon.

[hadleighhammer]

ezi said:

Quite (Although a Ford salesman tried telling me a 3door was in the works). As much as I like Ford's ST range, no 3-door option will put me right off the new Focus, although with the new Fiesta being such a large(ish) car, maybe people going from the old Focus will go into the new Fiesta if they desire 3door?

I want to hear of a new Mondeo ST

Do you think a Mondeo ST (Fusion SHO....) will come in 3 door? Really don't get the obsession with 3 doors. The difference in looks is small, and I'm saying that as a 3 door Focus ST owner! On the flip side Ford have been able to offer this price in part by not having to tool up and manage the complexity of also having a 3 door.

No matter what the sales there will not be a 3 door.

[6R4 GORDI]

If its faster, more practical and more efficient while remaining good to drive it will be awesome, never like new run of the mill cars but the new focus has grown on me,maybe the asbo has grown up, which could be a good thing.

[Phil Dicky]

Estate version would suit me for an everyday car very nicely thankyou

[David1976]

I actually like it and was fully expecting it to be more expensive.

Having owned BMW's, Minis, Vauxhall's, Pugs, Audi's and many other manufacturer cars there really isn't that much difference in quality between marque's anymore.
BMW especially are very cheeky with their servicing costs and some options, which should be considered when making comparisons. And don't even get me onto VW...

Ford always seem willing to do a deal. An ST3 Focus with a healthy discount is a very attractive car for me and is near the top of my shortlist going forward.

[oobster]

Popped into a Ford dealer this morning and asked:

a) When are you expecting a new ST in the showroom? (Answer - "Don't know. Months. Might not be getting one at all")

and

b) When will you have brochures for the new ST and/or expect the Ford online 'Configure your vehicle' to be available? (Answer - "Don't know, better to download the brochure online, and don't know when the online configure tool will be updated")

Handy!