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Ford Focus ST TDCI SW: Seeing Is Believing
FORD FOCUS ST3 TDCI SW
SEEING IS BELIEVING
Words: Andrea Balti
Photography: The Looking Glass
Do not be confused by its name, so long and complicated that it seems that of the Rubik’s Cube 2.0 – the Focus in question is intelligent and designed for those who want sports-like character in an everyday car, but that unfortunately have to drive a substantial number of kilometers daily, certainly not designed to satisfy the hunger for driving pleasure on some mountain road, but rather their path to the office, maybe a bit out of town. You guessed right, the ST3 is a diesel (as suggested by the “TDCI” acronym) and here in the station wagon version squeezes the eye to the load compartment requirements of your wife and your sons. Yes, even the dog will be comfortable, since the cargo area is spacious and perfectly accessible for a pet with a few years on his shoulders. But who will ever be the ideal customer for this 185 horses estate with 19″ wheels, which together with the sporty look and the desire to hold high the engine revs out of its diesel heart could end up in utter confusion?! Actually, the ST is the classic middle way, a more diplomatic and less expensive choice than the high-end RS (which is among other things available only in 5-door hatchback version) and the most typical and shy Focus that your grandfather would buy: good and reliable, but exciting as a snooker’s game.
In the range of that version there are 3 different options, and our attention is on the ST3, which wants to convince me that a diesel Focus estate would be the ideal weapon for a weekends away, without necessarily sacrificing fun and a bit ‘of intimacy between you and your need to take a couple of corners as you would never do with mom on board. Impossible not to be captivated by the glance that offers you as soon as you are in front of it – it seems that Ford knows well what cards to play and so, this model shows its muscles such as sports front and rear bumpers, side skirts and spoilers on the rear window, thanks to a Stealth Grey body, blacks 19-inch wheels (optional) mounted on top of the excellent Michelin Pilot Sport 5 rubbers and those Recaro sports seats that you’ll also notice during a more random look, and without even the need to open the door. At the rear, the exhaust pipe dedicated to the ST range model does not change, it does not care about the fact that under the hood there is a 2.0cc turbodiesel and does a great job while masking the typical and not so noble sound of an engine that doesn’t smell of gasoline, emitting a simple and effective low tone hum. Enough for introductions and as I get on board I immediately notice how well the cabin has become making a convincing and sharp leap forward: I sit on those splendid leather seats with stitching on the sides and the ST logo well in sight, and I cling to the steering wheel, as if to imagine being shot down a curvy road. Then the instrumentation betray my anxiety as the tachometer stops at 6000 rpm and has the red line at 5000! Hell, I had already forgotten I’m on a diesel estate, but never mind. Let’s push the start button (always practical and pleasant keyless device) and the only noise that comes in the cockpit is a very quiet hum, properly similar to that of a standard petrol engine. Great! I am pleased that there are three pedals and a manual gearbox and although it is also available with the automatic, I am happy to be completely in control of the situation. At the center, just above the new infotainment display, there are three gauge indicators checking temperature and pressure, giving a further racing touch to the whole thing here. I’m really liking it and I can’t wait to move my first meters.
That said, I have already spent well over 200km of motorway and I am walking on a very familiar mountain road, to see if returning to the office for comparing this car with my colleagues, I will declare absolute love for this little beast of a Focus. On the motorway you drive relaxed and exploit the elasticity of the 2.0-liter, which coupled to the excellent gearbox forms an impeccable combination. Exited the tiresome but necessary three lanes stretch I approach the point of no return, leaving behind some small towns and every sign of civilization, including the common sense that never would have incited me to drive as if I was at the wheel of a WRC Subaru Impreza. For the first time I am blown away, and where on any other car I would play with the gearbox, downshifting and taking the engine revved up, this Focus wants me to use its torque available low down at just 2000rpm. The turbo comes into play almost like on an 80s hatchback – sudden, violent and pushes 185 horsepower out the 4-cylinder which is enough to throw me to the next corner. The torque vectoring on the front axle system has been updated and tends to act almost like a limited slip differential, but unfortunately, in first and second gear, especially when going down hard, you risk losing time slipping the front tires, especially with traction control off (partially). The shift lever seems slightly away from the driver and the movements are not always accurate, I do not care if the sat-nav and the touch screen are not the best in the world and if the infotainment is more convoluted than the nomenclature used for the list of models at Ford – I forgot its true origins and I’m driving as I would do with its bad sister, the RS. The steering is precise, the wide tread helps me as I address the nose toward the apex, but accentuates the desire to follow the asphalt bumps and when I exit a corner with the throttle to the floor, understeer is there ready and waiting , sometimes in the form of a wall, other times in the form of an escape that allows me not to ease the gas and play unbalancing the rear on corners entry, letting the hood pointing in the right direction and only having to straighten the front wheels for good.
I play and I ask for more and it replies that it can be done. Cornering speeds are exciting, also because of a weight that exceeds a ton and a half by a sheet of paper – definitely with the sedan I would gain something in terms of acceleration and speed, but I’d feel like someone who has had to give up the RS, while the SW version is not something like that. That’s it and keeps making me drive up and down along the same stretch of road, always giving me some useful ideas and some room to brake a little later or to open the gas with greater arrogance the following time. Brakes, although they are not anything special, prove to be accurate and powerful, while the 400Nm of torque (even more than that of the petrol ST) is the trump card that press you to the Recaro seats and maks you appreciate their perfect quality, lateral support and the full comfort for long journeys. Then, at some point, I glance in the rearview mirror and I realize how many meters of car I’m bringing behind me: my eyes bounce to the rev counter that inevitably ends its run on the 5000 rpm threshold. What am I doing? What have I become? I’m driving like at the wheel of a rental car, am I losing my mind here?! This surely is a particular and striking test drive and talkin’ about its economic side, not so much for the tires that start to cry for mercy – even though they are perfectly in temperature – as for the fuel consumed, indeed too little. The average consumption declared is 22.7 km/l, certainly not driving like this morning, but when you make room for your happy family, you’ll surely forget the way to the gas station. Staying on the subject, know that the maximum speed is at around 217 kph, which may not sound a lot, but what really matters is how you get there. For example, like you’ll reach 100 per hour in just 8,3 seconds and the time you need for drawing a smile on your face – once again, just a little. It doesn’t say “diesel”, nothing can make you imagine that it is one of the best “sleeper” around and if you bring an inexperienced friend next to you, you’ll be able to scary him not even revealing what kind of sports car your new Focus is – it’s not an RS, not even a petrol one. With about €35,000 it comes home with you, and in fact it might even be the only car parked in your driveway. Seeing is believing.
FORD FOCUS ST3 TDCI SW (2015-)
Layout – front-engined, front-wheel-drive
Engine – 4 cylinder 1.997cc – turbo
Transmission – 6-speed manual gearbox
Power – 185 hp @ 3500 rpm
400 Nm @ 2000-2750 rpm
Weight – 1535 kg
Acceleration – 8,3 sec.
Top Speed – 217 kph
Price – from €35.000
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