Ford Focus ST, Europe’s top selling hot hatch

Ford Focus ST, Europe’s top selling hot hatch

The first time I saw the Ford Focus ST in flesh was during a Ford roadshow held in Mid Valley mega mall sometime last year. It looks great, donned in an orange finish with a really sporty-rally look. Further popularized by Ken Block, the Ford Focus ST fits the image of a road-use, practical sports car.

It is no wonder that Ford Focus ST sold 1,984 units alone from October to December 2012, outselling competitors like VW Golf GTI and the Renault Megane Sport.

Quick Facts: Ford Focus ST 2012

Engine: 2.0-Litre Inline-4 Cylinder Ti-VCT EcoBoost DOHC 16V Turbocharged

Transmission: 6-Speed Manual

Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive 

Horespower: 24hp (250PS) 

Torque: 340Nm 

Acceleration: 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds 

Top Speed: 248km/h

Price: RM208,888 on the road.

In Malaysia though, the high selling price will most likely deter buyers; if I remember correctly, the price was in the region of RM200 grand (nearly USD$70,000). Personally I would have probably bought an Audi TT for that amount (it is priced at about USD70,000 for an Audi TT unreg imported recond unit).

Total Focus ST sales in this period were 1,984, making it top-selling hot hatch in the UK as well as Denmark, Norway, Finland, Hungary, Switzerland, Sweden and the Netherlands.

“The unrivalled balance of performance and usability has been recognised by some fantastic reviews for the Focus ST,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe. “You really have to drive it yourself to experience the responsiveness of the engine and the fantastic chassis.  I am one of a fast-growing group of excited ST drivers.”

The third generation Focus ST in Europe went on sale in summer 2012. Equipped with a 2.0-litre EcoBoost 250PS engine, new Focus ST is Ford’s first truly global performance car – having launched in North America last year and being introduced in the Asia Pacific regions this year.

Ford has sold a total of 3,819 new Focus STs in Europe since launch – 74 per cent hatchbacks and 26 per cent wagons. The most popular colour has been Frozen White (41 per cent), followed by Panther Black (28 per cent) and Tangerine Scream (17 per cent).

The new Focus ST was named “Best Hot Hatch” by U.K. magazine Auto Express and the wagon version declared “Hot Hatch of the Year” by Top Gear magazine.

Ford is extending the Ford ST range with the introduction of the new 180PS Fiesta ST this month, the fastest-ever production Fiesta that achieves 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 6.9 seconds and 220km/h (137mph) top speed. Powered by a 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine and delivering the same “fun-to-drive” experience as the Focus, the new Fiesta ST also offers a new chassis, steering and brakes as well as enhanced Torque Vectoring Control and 3-mode Electronic Stability Control.