The Ford Focus ST has only been on sale for about five minutes and it’s already gone and won one of the big awards from the motoring press.
Is the Ford Focus ST the best hot hatch? Auto Express clearly think so.
Last night saw the Auto Express 2012 awards being handed out and it was the new Focus ST that walked away with the title of ‘Best Hot Hatch’. Let’s not forget that the 155mph Focus ST is up against some very stiff competition including the dominant Renaultsport Megane 265 and the new, more powerful Vauxhall Astra VXR.
Auto Express rated the Focus highly in a number of areas. According to Steve Fowler, Auto Express editor-in-chief: “The Focus ST has the performance figures to back up its looks – and with a price to please.”
Price is certainly a huge factor in the Focus ST’s popularity. Starting at £21,995 it undercuts its rivals by a considerable margin and while you need to upgrade to the ST-2 or ST-3 models to get the tastiest kit, the basic car still comes with the promise of 247bhp and 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds.
Ford have already taken more than 450 Ford Focus ST orders, not too shabby considering that the car’s not expected in UK dealerships until September.
Rumours that the Astra was seen in the car park afterwards with a bloodied nose and the Megane was on the phone in tears to its mum are as yet unconfirmed.
You can read what I thought about the estate version of the Focus ST in my review here.
