19 Jul 07
Cynics would suggest that I could alleviate the problem by either driving more moderately or by buying standard unleaded instead of super. But both arguments are non-starters. When you buy a car like the Focus ST, you make a conscious decision. You have elected not to choose the eco-friendlier, more economical alternative (the TDCi) in favour of driving pleasure, so why would you compromise its performance with lower-grade fuel?
And why, having paid over £22k for a hot hatch, would you drive it like a £11,000 1.4? I drive the ST hard because I enjoy the throaty roar of its five-cylinder engine, and because I enjoy the sensation of speed. I know that's politically uncomfortable, but it's the truth and those of use who drive these cars should be honest enough to admit it.
The current obsession with climate change is getting silly. There's a gearchange indicator in the new BMW M3, which signals the most frugal point at which to change. What nonsense. Nobody will pay over £50,000 for the new M3 because they're interested in saving fuel. You buy an M3 because you want to wave four fat exhaust pipes at lesser mortals. The ST has a gearchange indicator light for optimising straight-line performance, which makes much more sense. You only get to wave two exhaust pipes, but it's still better than one.
The ST is now nearly a year old, which means my time with it is nearly up. This is a cause of considerable distress. Of all the long-termers I've run, this is the car I've enjoyed the most. It's civilised enough to help me to pound the nation's motorways while making endless phone calls; practical enough to carry four hefty chaps, yet small enough to be parked easily in London; and quick enough to entertain when the road beckons and I'm in the mood.
