2013 Ford Focus ST First Drive

[Bossxr8]

Good review by TopGear.

"This is a car touched by genius"

[WILDB]

I actually don't mind Tangerine Scream, I think it may be one of those colours that doesn't look terribly flattering when taken in a certain way. Some pictures look yellow, some look orange.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56907245@N03/6719451843/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56907245@N03/6719448863/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56907245@N03/6719452881/

And a Ford Europe marketing video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9W8m...e_gdata_player

[dimka100]

Could easily be my next car but no auto or DSG mean a big no no for me :( oh well ...

[SM1DY]

The Vauxhall might be a couple of tenths quicker around the track, but for everyday, every-road driving, this must the best hot hatch on sale. In fact, it might be the best do-everything fast car in the world...

You have my attention MR. Focus ST

[Cheese3]

Well not making this car in a auto is GREAT! a true drivers car, if you want a auto, buy a camry!

[Bossxr8]

Its on the front cover of Wheels, with the headline "New Focus ST beats Golf GTi"- Verdict - "Legendary- Destined to reign supreme".

And the reason there is no DSG is because "double clutch tech isn't yet good enough at the price you can afford for a C segment hot hatch" according to Jost Capito.

[Nic85]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Its on the front cover of Wheels, with the headline "New Focus ST beats Golf GTi"- Verdict - "Legendary- Destined to reign supreme".

And the reason there is no DSG is because "double clutch tech isn't yet good enough at the price you can afford for a C segment hot hatch" according to Jost Capito.

What a load of trollop. Tell him to go drive a Polo GTi.

[FPV GTHO]

VW is a generation ahead of EVERYONE on double clutch transmissions

[WILDB]

I believe what the message in that statement was saying is that by developing and introducing a dual clutch/Powershift variant would add significant cost and make the sale price of the vehicle uncompetitive.

I've got no problems that it's manual only, if people aren't happy with that then it obviously isn't the car for them.

[mrghia]

would love it if they could make a sedan version

[Chopped]

Another legend from Ford.

There is a rumour the next RS will be based on the Fiesta.
> http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/01/c...duction-hopes/

[#Russ#Es#]

Originally Posted by Cheese3

Well not making this car in a auto is GREAT! a true drivers car, if you want a auto, buy a camry!

Exactly. The previous iterations of the ST (or XR5) have sold just fine without auto, don't see the new model being any different.

[zebby]

Originally Posted by #Russ#Es#

Exactly. The previous iterations of the ST (or XR5) have sold just fine without auto, don't see the new model being any different.

Not compared to the Golf GTI sale numbers. Its like saying, we won't bother with the other 75% of possible sales.
I know that it is possibly a European decision where manuals are still big sellers, but considering that it is to be sold in America also, a surprising decision none the less.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by zebby

Not compared to the Golf GTI sale numbers. Its like saying, we won't bother with the other 75% of possible sales.
I know that it is possibly a European decision where manuals are still big sellers, but considering that it is to be sold in America also, a surprising decision none the less.

Whilst i see your point, if potential buyers want to complain about the lack of DSG type trans then this car isnt for them. Go and buy a GTi instead.
When was the last hot Ford hatch etc an Auto? Never seen an Auto ST of any type and dont ever recall seeing an Auto Escort/Sierra Cosworth or Focus RS/ST.
What about poor GTi polo owners that want a Manual, no go.

[Chilliman]

While I have no problem with a manual-only Focus ST - infact it is top of my list as my next purchase from Ford, I think that offering the ST with the 177kW/2.0Litre EcoBoost & Powershift combo out of the European Mondeo would only broaden its appeal.

I'm sure that somebody who just wants the ST badge, styling and handling would come to terms with a 7kW drop in power if all they could drive was an auto?

[Franco Cozzo]

Powershift is made out of fail and aids anyway, come into the Focus and Fiesta section on the forum and see all the complaints about it.

Its the auto gearbox you buy when you don't want an auto gearbox, because you have to drive it differently. Doesn't make any sense to me.

Not a fan of that baby poo yellow colour though.

[Uwish]

So the people bitching about the DSG style gearbox...

So Porsche, Audi, VW, The prancing horse and others have it wrong then...
GTR must be all sorts of wrong too?

Grow up and move with Tech.
FFS some of you should be in carbed Ke30 Corollas.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Uwish

So the people bitching about the DSG style gearbox...

So Porsche, Audi, VW, The prancing horse and others have it wrong then...
GTR must be all sorts of wrong too?

Grow up and move with Tech.
FFS some of you should be in carbed Ke30 Corollas.

Ummm no how about you read some of the posts.

Nothing wrong with DSG, but it will NEVER be a manual ie have a clutch pedal. I couldnt give a flying whohaa if a DSG can shift in 2 millionth of a second in no way does it interest me at all.

Im not going to 'grow up and move with the tech' as you say. As long as they continue to make manuals ill buy em.

[Poetic Justice]

Originally Posted by WILDB

Ive got no problems that it's manual only, if people aren't happy with that then it obviously isn't the car for them.

And people create other threads wondering why Ford aren't stronger in the market place?

There would be PLENTY of buyers out there for an automatic version of this car, and an automatic car WOULD be the car for them!

[Pandemic]

This is the car that I'm pretty keen on purchasing, looks pretty sweet, and the interior features are a pretty good treat too, heh.

[WILDB]

Originally Posted by SCUD

And people create other threads wondering why Ford aren't stronger in the market place?

There would be PLENTY of buyers out there for an automatic version of this car, and an automatic car WOULD be the car for them!

Look at the ST's direct competitors - only the GTI offers an auto version.

MPS = manual only
Renault = manual only
New VXR = manual only

I think these are going to move quickly anyway with the demand for them.

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by Uwish

So the people bitching about the DSG style gearbox...

So Porsche, Audi, VW, The prancing horse and others have it wrong then...
GTR must be all sorts of wrong too?

Grow up and move with Tech.
FFS some of you should be in carbed Ke30 Corollas.

So the 4 brands you mentioned,

3 of which are part of the VW group. The manufacturer who did a large part of the initial development into DCT's and was the first to bring one to production with their DSG. The manufacturer who, as I've already stated, are a generation ahead of competitors DCT's such as Fords Powershift.

And Ferrari, a high performance manufacturer that would see such driving where the day to day flaws and intricacies of a DCT wouldn't be experienced heavily. A manufacturer who previously invested in their own AMT's that no doubt had their own undesirable subtleties for normal driving compared to a typical torque converter, planetary geared box.

[Nic85]

Originally Posted by WILDB

I believe what the message in that statement was saying is that by developing and introducing a dual clutch/Powershift variant would add significant cost and make the sale price of the vehicle uncompetitive.

I've got no problems that it's manual only, if people aren't happy with that then it obviously isn't the car for them.

The quote says: "double clutch tech isn't yet good enough at the price you can afford for a C segment hot hatch"

That to me says that the writer is saying that at the price bracket this car will be, the technology (or the actual box itself) isn't good enough to be used in that price bracket.

That's a load of horseshit. There is minimal difference between the DSG box that is used in the Golf GTi, and the one that is used in high end Audi models. Likewise the Getrag box used in the Lancer Ralliart isn't far from the one used in the Nissan GTR.

Not having an auto option on a car like this these days is pure lunacy, and reeks of cost cutting and apathy.

Edit: Add a few more of the ST's direct competitors to show a full snap shot, not just the ones to suit your argument:

Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart - DSG.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution - Manual/DSG.
Hyundai Veloster Turbo - Manual/Automatic.
Citroen DS3/4 - Manual/DSG.
Holden Cruze SRI-V - Manual/Automatic.
Honda CRZ - Manual/Automatic.
Mini Cooper S (et al) - Manual/Automatic.
Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ - Manual/Automatic.
Volkswagen Polo GTi - DSG.
Volkswagen Golf GTi/R - Manual/DSG.

[EDManual]

^^whatever....

You do realise the rest of the world where real drivers have fun use pretty much exclusively manuals in this sort of cheapish car?!

Lazy aussies dont matter, and they shouldnt.

[Nic85]

Originally Posted by EDManual

^^whatever....

You do realise the rest of the world where real drivers have fun use pretty much exclusively manuals in this sort of cheapish car?!

Lazy aussies dont matter, and they shouldnt.

If this is the focus of your rebuttal, then you've missed the point entirely and should bow out of this conversation.

[DJM83]

Let's leave the arguments behind thanks, we have discovered there's no auto. Time to move on.

[PepeLePew]

Everyone has had their 2c on the transmission....points absorbed, moving right along.

I'm a outsider. I don't normally look in this class of vehicle. But I read this thread, and the articles, and damned if it wouldn't make me want to flop out the folding. Nice job Ford, nice job.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Nic85

What a load of trollop. Tell him to go drive a Polo GTi.

Polo GTi is not a competitor to Focus ST, the Fiesta ST will be.

Originally Posted by FPV GTHO

VW is a generation ahead of EVERYONE on double clutch transmissions

They are 3 generations behind in terms of warranty claims on failed DSG's too.

Originally Posted by Nic85

The quote says: "double clutch tech isn't yet good enough at the price you can afford for a C segment hot hatch"

That to me says that the writer is saying that at the price bracket this car will be, the technology (or the actual box itself) isn't good enough to be used in that price bracket.

That's a load of horseshit. There is minimal difference between the DSG box that is used in the Golf GTi, and the one that is used in high end Audi models. Likewise the Getrag box used in the Lancer Ralliart isn't far from the one used in the Nissan GTR.

Not having an auto option on a car like this these days is pure lunacy, and reeks of cost cutting and apathy.

Edit: Add a few more of the ST's direct competitors to show a full snap shot, not just the ones to suit your argument:

Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart - DSG.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution - Manual/DSG.
Hyundai Veloster Turbo - Manual/Automatic.
Citroen DS3/4 - Manual/DSG.
Holden Cruze SRI-V - Manual/Automatic.
Honda CRZ - Manual/Automatic.
Mini Cooper S (et al) - Manual/Automatic.
Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ - Manual/Automatic.
Volkswagen Polo GTi - DSG.
Volkswagen Golf GTi/R - Manual/DSG.

How can you put rubbish like the Cruze SRiV and CRZ in the same category as Focus ST. They are not fit enough to even drink the ST's used oil.

[Nic85]

Lol, no bias or anything.

[BaraFGXR6]

IF my shoulders fit inside the seats i will consider looking at this come time when lease is up.