06 Dec 06
Driving a bright orange hot hatch also provokes a mixed response from other road users. My aggressive manoeuvres that were met with a shrug when I owned a Lexus are now greeted with an angry gesticulation. Other drivers expect me to behave in a certain way. BMW drivers must know how I feel.
In some ways, the outrageous war paint runs counter to the car's character - the ST is not a rip-snorting hot hatch of the old school. This is not an edgy, all-or-nothing car like an old Peugeot GTi, and this can sometimes be frustrating. As an enthusiast and, thanks to my profession, an experienced driver, I'd like it to be a little bit sharper. I'd like it to turn-in more aggressively and I'd like to be able to use the throttle to adjust its trajectory. A Megane Renaultsport feels more agile.
But this weakness is also a strength. When you're not in the mood, the Focus is a much more soothing companion than the Renault. It's impressively refined, has a ride quality that's firm but never harsh and has a wonderful consistency of purpose. All the major controls feel like they've been carefully honed to work together, and after nearly a thousand miles behind the wheel, I'm starting to appreciate its subtleties.
The ST reveals the benefits of asking a specialist department - Team RS - to develop a hot hatch, rather than relying on mainstream engineers with other priorities. The ST really does feel like it was designed by the sort of people who will go into the office on a Sunday just to test a new damper iteration. It has integrity.
