Ford Focus ST Test Drive - Fifth Gear

Johnny is in Norway with the new Ford Focus ST to test it on the immense 'Trolls Road'.

[troypower]

Own a 2014, absolutely best price performance hatch out there. Looks great. Who wants a 3 door? Love the practicality of the 5 door.

[alistairjohnson]

I had the 2012 Focus ST and have recently changed to the 2015 focus ST with 19'' wheels (18'' on the 2012), with the stiffer shocks, more rubber and improved software, the torque steer is now what i would call 'fun' and charismatic not a chore. The 2012 version I know a lot of people that didnt like the lively torque steer, it can be quite unnerving especially when overtaking and you feel the car lurch towards the ditch on the other side of the road!!! the 2015 version Ford though have worked hard on this and its now superb I really really like it. You can now floor it from a standing start and unlike trying to hold on for your life like it was in the 2012 this one is far more manageable and a bit of a giggle. Would the Mountune upgrade get us back to square 1? i.e the 2012 version.. hmm I would think it would personally, right now it's on the edge and hugely likeable, I wouldn't give it any more power than it comes with, for me its perfect. You want even more power get the AWD new RS.

[iLLFXdrUms]

Wow...that road gave me chills.  Unreal!!

[kramnam]

I’ve got one it’s tough punchy and very underrated cool mine is silver. Torque steer is NOT an issue when you push the ESC button once.. much better steering feel and no problems. Mine is a stage one remap and Mountune short shift . It’s perfect

[gunnerhoward]

3 door or 5 door it don't matter. When driving this car the last thing on your mind is the door layout I promise !

[DaxXx]

"competitors just look better" - well, in your opinion.

[Scourr]

3 doors don´t transform any powerful hatchback to a real sportscar. I don´t unstand why ppl still think it do?
I would prefer 5 doors because it´s not a roadster or something, it´s a car for everyday-use.

[cjmillsnun]

Stop whining about 3 doors.  The integrale you referred to as a proper sports car from the 80s had 5 doors!

[milosilic]

Saw one yesterday, for the first time in the flesh (well, metal). It does look nice!

[johnmiceter]

The Mazda 3 mps BL was a 5 door and that was a great hot hatch. Im thinking about buying one of these and this looks like a slight upgrade over my MPS in almost every way.

[mituc]

5 doors FTW! Renault Megane 2 RS 5 doors, then the Leon 2 Cupra, Mazda 3 MPS gen1 (I own one) and now the Focus 3 ST! I wish they offer the new RS with a 5 doors option! These are road cars, they have 5 seats, so 5 doors are useful. Stop criticising the utility of a hatchback, if it has more than 150bhp it doesn't mean it needs to be castrated in the back!

[obsessivehobbies]

I have one of these.  it's my company car.  all i did was a green filter and a tune and the car becomes a different animal.  they say 30 hp/50ftlbs on the dyno with the unleashed tune.  and i believe it.  

it's a blast on mountain roads, it's a great commuter, overall i really like the car.

[aschiave]

i have  bought this exact car and owned it for the last week...it's smashing. I love it. Best car for the money IMHO. My Boxster was amazingly glued to the ground and so balanced - this is less so but i can fit my 2 year old in the back - looks, feels and sounds great and it costs half as much. Way to go Ford!

[SlightlyBetterPudding]

I wish we had the wagon/estate model in the US, id deffinetly buy it hands down

[HDAZNIK]

dudes I have an estate St 2015.. handles amazing, torque steer was mental with the original tyres, fitted different tyres and it ain't so killer..
I've gone into a steep corner to fast before and it saved my ass big time.. handles brilliantly and holds my shit.
also the estate is totally brilliant, we went and camped out below Ben Nevis, seats down and a double self inflated mattress we slept in the back with comfort... Ben Nevis climbed we smashed it home quick style.. 0-60 in fun

[nebevorgneerg]

This guys goatee and sideburns are a tragedy

[rubikfan]

lol, i was there on a holiday when they filmed this. so funny, when we arrived at the top (coffee break) he was just talking about the trollroad. when my coffee and cake was gone, and had make some nice pictures. he was still doing the same sentence lol.

[thetruth]

2:50 torque steer? Get an LSD, even the 1.5 has the torque steer problem.
4:10 5 doors? So what the Civic R has it but was not on the market yet. 3 door cars suck for daily driving and doing groceries.

[dickdastardly]

Is there really more torque steer than the st225? If so, why (the st225 doesn't torque steer that badly, even when tuned to 300bhp)?

[stumeek]

Had the old st-2, loved it, didn`t like the look of the new one, and the fact it only has four pots, .... test drove it, now own one. Fantastic car, bit of a head scratcher smaller engine, with  more power than the old boy, better fuel consumption you can  literally boot the arse of it and you`ll not need a fuel stop escaping from mother in law`s. Yes it torque steers, but with that much power from front end what do you expect?  personally for me it makes the car feel more alive and exciting to drive. As for it`s looks, some say it`s let down by the fact it has 4 doors, utter s***e it done the M5 no harm, besides iv`e a toddler daughter and well say no more. The price alone is a no brainer, when you look at it`s rivals, Golf sorry forget the golf "run rings round it"  Astra vxr, bonkers car also had one, loved it also great car fun fun fun, but handles like a PICKLED snot!.. The new focus St is definatelly not perfect but i love mine..