RE: Driven: Ford Focus ST

[Grovsie26]

Interior looks well nice.

[vit4]

Err... sound symposer? Please tell me it isn't noise through the speakers a la F10 M5??

[vit4]

Err... sound symposer? Please tell me it isn't noise through the speakers a la F10 M5??

[HurryUpAndWait]

budgie smuggler said:

this is apparently a recording of the symposed engine noise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut435cMI3l0&fea...

from here:
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1076204_2013-fo...

I like that, sounds good

[D200]

vit4 said:

Err... sound symposer? Please tell me it isn't noise through the speakers a la F10 M5??

Have you driven or been in a new m5? if so do you think the noise sounds fake? I have been in one, not driving sadly, but it sounds fab to me and you wouldn't know otherwise unless told. I couldn't care less how the car makes its noise as long as it sounds good & am in full favour of them. This ford one is sounds great. Its a pity all cars don't have them e.g. 911 turbo as you cant really hear the engine at all - just a whoosh of air from turbos etc

[GroundEffect]

vit4 said:

Err... sound symposer? Please tell me it isn't noise through the speakers a la F10 M5??

It's a diaphragm in the air induction system piped to the cabin. Lots of cars have them.

[tommy vercetti]

HurryUpAndWait said:

budgie smuggler said:

this is apparently a recording of the symposed engine noise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut435cMI3l0&fea...

from here:
http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1076204_2013-fo...

I like that, sounds good

+1

[D200]

And it prob costs the equiv of £12k in the USA too

I also think front plates aren't mandatory in the USA? Makes all cars look do much nicer

And petrol is a LOT cheaper

Sods

Edited by D200 on Tuesday 12th June 22:46

[GroundEffect]

D200 said:

And it prob costs the equiv of £12k in the USA too

Not when are localised in Europe and the US.

US starting price is $24k.

[D200]

GroundEffect said:

D200 said:

And it prob costs the equiv of £12k in the USA too

Not when are localised in Europe and the US.

US starting price is $24k.

Fair enough. I guessed it would be 12 but it's approximately 15k then.

still a lot cheaper

[FrankyH]

Wouldn't mind one of these in a few years time.

[White Lightning]

ludicrous speed said:

I was actually comparing the hatch to the 86/BRZ, i should have made that more clear. For a lot of people that may well be a choice they make when buying a car with a £25k budget. Just wanted to add that I do admire fast estates.

To be honest I don't even think the hatchback version is a fair comparison to the BRZ/86. You can buy a new ST-3 for less than 26k, the BRZ/86 are over 27k i believe?? Both cars offer different driving experiences. Although the Toybaru's might be more fun to drive.....the ST is faster, better equipped and cheaper I think its a better compromise.

Its a shame really cos i do like the Toybaru's. Just wish they were a a bit faster and a bit cheaper.

[Oddball RS]

Both inside and out that car is a mess, was it really styled? or just thrown together?

[r1ch]

I really didn't like the shape when I first saw it, but I must say it's really grown on me. I think it would look smarter in a darker colour. The dash is pretty funky, think there are a bit too many buttons though, seems quite fussy.

[y2blade]

Have the "But it's wrong wheel drive" idiots turned up yet?

[SSCooperS]

I don't care how great to drive it is, or how cheap the entry level ST-1 is - it is FUGLY, has a childish interior, and I suspect will not date well at all.

One thing I like about the old ST was how discrete it was (even with the orange paint). This one really is trying far too hard.

Edited by SSCooperS on Wednesday 13th June 08:43

[dorme]

r1ch said:

I really didn't like the shape when I first saw it, but I must say it's really grown on me. I think it would look smarter in a darker colour. The dash is pretty funky, think there are a bit too many buttons though, seems quite fussy.

have a look at the interior of the new astra/vxr's, buttons galore, looks like a calculator! was shocked when i drove a gtc last week. so clinical looking for a hot hatch.

[stuckmojo]

y2blade said:

Have the "But it's wrong wheel drive" idiots turned up yet?

No, the Troll has beaten them to it.


Back on track, the price is really keen, but in my eyes this looks bloody awful. The last generation ST was the best looking. Actually, the first RS was.

[r1ch]

dorme said:

have a look at the interior of the new astra/vxr's, buttons galore, looks like a calculator! was shocked when i drove a gtc last week. so clinical looking for a hot hatch.

That hurts my head just looking at it. Someone got carried away in the button department I think.

[thetapeworm]

I feel dirty for asking this but has anyone seen the boot size of the new ST?

My current ST3 has a really high boot floor due to the spare wheel and this really limits what I can carry in there due to it being so shallow.

Also - is the ST3 still a 4 seater in the new model?