Thursday 29th January 2015
Graham Goode Racing Focus ST300
Worried your ST will be found lacking with the RS imminent? GGR may have a solution
Ford Focus ST owners may be feeling a little disheartened at the moment. There's a
facelifted car now out (PH review coming soon),
an RS on the way too and the
Fiesta ST is still attracting plaudits all over. A fine car that, in pre-facelift form at least, is perhaps in danger of being a little overlooked. Even the yellow ones.
Engine identical in facelift. Hmm...
Graham Goodes Racing's new 'ST300' package should raise the interest once more, particularly as the earliest cars approach three years old and the end of their manufacturer warranty. As the name implies, it's a tweak to 300hp, not far from the rumoured 330hp of the upcoming RS. The official numbers from GGR are a 46bhp gain from the standard 250bhp, meaning 296bhp or 300ps/hp. With our pedant hat on we would point out the standard ST is 247bhp (250hp) but let's not allow that to get in the way of a good name.
As always with tuned turbos, it's the torque that climbs most noticeably though. GGR claims a 115lb ft leap to 365lb ft (!). The gains come through a new cold air induction system, high-flow exhaust and a bespoke Superchips remap. That's it.
GGR claims 365lb ft. Yikes
GGR describes the ST300 kit as a "useable, reliable, exciting tuning upgrade" that has "leveraged all of its BTCC race winning expertise". Given the ST's propensity to torque steer, it would be interesting to see how it deals with another 115lb ft on the standard setup. Interesting and perhaps terrifying.
The ST300 upgrade costs £1,503.60 fitted including VAT, which seems like good value for the gains on offer. For keen DIYists the parts can be bought for £1,336.80. Used STs are now available from £14K if you are tempted. The engine is unchanged in the facelifted car as well; a GGR version of that could be really good. Who wouldn't secretly fancy a go in a 300hp Focus ST estate?
