What is it?
This is the far extreme of the new Ford Focus ST family from the petrol hatchback that we've already reviewed. The 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine will be offered in both the hatchback and estate, and it's the practical wagon we have here.
With 187bhp, this is the most powerful diesel-powered Focus to date, but it's still substantially down on power compared to the 276bhp 2.3-litre ST Ecoboost.
Diesel buyers must make other concessions, too. The EcoBlue will be offered only with a six-speed manual gearbox, not offering the Ecoboost's optional seven-speed automatic. It's also 42kg heavier and therefore slower: Ford's claimed 7.7sec 0-62mph time is respectable but some way off the petrol estate's 5.8sec.
Estate versions of the Focus ST ride on passive dampers, rather than the standard adaptive set-up of the petrol hatchback, while diesel hatchback buyers will be able to opt for the active system. The diesel also does without the clever electronically controlled limited-slip differential.
Recompense comes from the EcoBlue engine's far superior economy – 58.7mpg combined on the official test - and lower price; at £30,595, it's £2500 cheaper than the Ecoboost.
What's it like?
There's little surprise that the EcoBlue feels a bit dull and worthy when compared directly against the snarling petrol model. Yet against the criteria that can be fairly applied to a diesel estate, it's a seriously impressive thing.
Beyond an artfully tuned, bass-heavy exhaust note that might occasionally persuade occupants there's something bigger and brawnier lurking under the bonnet, the EcoBlue engine offers little in the way of excitement. It has slightly less torque than the Ecoboost (295lb ft to 310lb ft), but its peak is available at a lowlier 2000rpm, and it quickly makes its preference for an easy life obvious. It will rev all the way to the 5000rpm limiter if the mood takes you, but it clearly doesn't enjoy the exercise and makes a vocal protest. It's happiest in its muscular mid-range, and on a test route that included the demanding Col de Vence road near Nice, the EcoBlue proved willing to pull without complaint on steep gradients from less than 2000rpm in fourth and fifth gears.
Throttle response is much mushier than that of the snappy Ecoboost, and even Sport mode does little to sharpen it. The diesel Focus ST carries almost all of its extra weight over its front axle, and without the clever electronically controlled differential, it feels much less fleet of foot and unable to over-accelerate its outside rear tyre under power. On the plus side, grip levels remain high and the handling balance is entirely benign, with the estate tightening its line progressively on an eased throttle.
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Errors, errors and more errors
Sorry Mr Duff, until you brush up on your product knowledge, I cannot take your reviewing ability seriously.
For a start, Volkswagen no longer build the Golf GTD Estate - something you should know about. And it has other rivals, too: Peugeot 308 SW GT BlueHDi 180 and Skoda Octava vRS Estate for instance.
Double Duff
Yep, something Autocar do so routinely i'm begining to think it's deliberate policy: ignore anything as a competitor unless it's a Ford or VAG.
Stupid to use this engine -
Stupid to use this engine - Theres a twin turbo version of this engine they could have used, would have been much more in keeping with the badge, madness to drop the diff too. Still no fan of the interior or exterior styling of this Focus.
There are those who critisise
There are those who critisise the interior and that its not so well made as V W,s Golf. Well You dont read, well I have not seen that Ford Interios are known for falling apart. On the other hand 2 good friends one with a Gold GTD and one with a GTI which have both had to make visits to V W for various rattles and loose trim issues. So are they one offs or is that V W are really good are promoting thier supposed quality product or like their diesel issue telling a few porkies ,another good friend with an Audi also had interior fitting problems .Just a thought ??!!
Antony Riley wrote:
One off's my friend. I've had four Golfs and my current GTD is a fantastic all-rounder with no faults. It's such a good all-rounder I am buying it at the end of my PCP term next year. Sure, it's not the quickest car out there but it does do a great job of being fast enough whilst having handling ability that will get it over the line. No issues. Just a nice car that looks good and I'll drive it until we aren't allowed to drive diesels anymore. So basically it goes from my ownership once it's done silly miles and is starting to be expensive to repair. It's that good. Shame I couldn't afford the DSG. I could now but then I couldn't two years ago and I won't be selling it for that reason - the manual gearbox is from the GTI so it's not shabby!
Antony Riley wrote:
Yep. I only shop for used cars - bangers, they are apparently called over there. Here, a banger is a top tune, but I digress. The supposedly good quality VW and Audi interiors almost always are shit, showing far more wear than those of Ford, Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai and Kia. No surprise, as the company is full of shit, built on a foundation of dishonesty. And bullshit.
Choose a Golf over this? Not sure if trolling, or just fooled by bullshit.
jason_recliner wrote:
No Jason, you're just full of venomous shit. Now kindly do one and go and listen to a "banger". Yes, we have that term here too - it's not a rare one. Well done.