15 Feb 07
Returning to the horror of Heathrow on a cold December morning would be enough to dampen anyone's spirits, but I was far from depressed to return to the Focus. And it was the same earlier in the month when I swapped India and an Audi Q7 for Clapham and the ST.
After some soul-searching, I've deduced that the primary reason for this is the thoroughness of the ST conversion. While some performance models - Audi's 'S' models are an obvious example - are no more than a tarted-up version of the standard car, the ST is comprehensively re-engineered.
The suspension, for example, is beautifully resolved. The damping has been developed with such care and precision that while it offers more control than a standard Focus, the ride quality remains comfortable. Indeed, on the UK's tired tarmac, I find the ST's set-up preferable to the standard car's. The ST feels like a precision instrument.
The engine is also a treat. Rather than simply pinching the 2.5-litre turbo from Volvo and bolting it into the Focus, Team RS re-engineered it. Apply full throttle and a trick valve system fills the cabin with a melodious howl which suits the car's character. I also never tire of its torque characteristics. In everyday driving, the ST's strong low and mid-range pull is infinitely preferable to high rev freneticism. I've found myself driving this car like I would a modern diesel, using the torque and changing up earlier than might be expected.
