In Amerika is de Ford Focus Mk4 niet te koop, maar dat ligt voor Australië anders. Maar wat vinden de Australiërs van de voor hun nog nieuwste model van de Ford Focus ST?
Je leest het allemaal in onderstaand verslag.
New Ford Focus ST is “sharper, crisper” than Golf GTI, says Ford Performance boss
In fact Ford Performance Europe boss, Stefan Meunzinger, says several hot hatch rivals were benchmarked during development of the latest Focus ST, including the Honda Civic Type R, Hyundai i30 N and the top-selling Volkswagen Golf GTI.
2020 Ford Performance Ford Focus ST Mk4
“We obviously had a Golf GTI… but character-wise [it’s] quite different,” he said.
“Yes we looked at Golf GTI but certainly that’s not what we targeted. We wanted a much sharper, crisper vehicle than a Golf GTI, which I think we delivered.”
2020 Ford Performance Ford Focus ST Mk4
The new Ford Focus ST is making its way to showrooms as we speak, priced at $44,690 for both the seven-speed automatic and six-speed manual versions. The auto-only Volkswagen Golf GTI is priced at $46,690, while the manual-only Hyundai i30 N Performance is cheaper at $40,990 and the manual-only Honda Civic Type R tops them all at $51,990.
2020 Ford Performance Ford Focus ST Mk4
The front-drive Ford Focus ST is powered by a reworked version of the Ford Focus RS engine, a 2.3-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder unit that bangs out 206kW of power and 420Nm of torque.
In terms of outputs then, it’s a closer rival for the 228kW/400Nm Honda than the 180kW/370Nm Volkswagen or the 202kW/353Nm Hyundai.
And while it doesn’t have all-wheel drive like its legendary previous-generation Ford Focus RS, the new Focus ST does have a proper limited-slip differential (LSD) up front.
Although all three front-drive rivals mentioned above also have an electronically-controlled mechanical LSD in Australia, Meunzinger took a swipe at hot hatches with electronic differentials that merely use the brakes to improve front-end traction.
2020 Ford Performance Ford Focus ST Mk4
“Some competitors are using the term e-diff but they are just doing it by torque vectoring via brake usage and that’s a very different approach,” he stated.
The Ford Performance Europe boss said the Focus ST’s LSD is “…the most advanced slip control you can do on a front-drive car – [the] most expensive and most advanced.
“It is a mechanical device that is electronically controlled. It has a clutch inside and it can be locked anywhere between zero and 100 per cent.”
2020 Ford Performance Ford Focus ST Mk4
As well as broadening its target audience with the addition of an automatic transmission an extensive equipment list, the new Ford Focus ST also aims to target enthusiasts with its torquey engine and complimentary membership to the Ford Performance Club.
Owners will get a welcome pack with various goodies and several unique member benefits, including free track sessions at circuits like Tailem Bend.
Ford Australia product communications manager Damion Smy said the current environment makes certain endeavors more challenging but the Ford Performance Club was something Ford is keen to expand.
2020 Ford Performance Ford Focus ST Mk4
“We’re still working on making the club what owners and enthusiasts think it should be.
“Of course, we’ve been slowed a little when it comes to physical events, but we’re pushing on with ideas and opportunities.
“Ultimately, Ford Performance Club enables owners who want to be more involved, be more engaged with fellow owners and, of course, have unprecedented access as a customer to the Ford Performance family. That’s in terms of products, experiences and opportunities,” he said.
Source | Motoring.com.au hier vindt je nog meer reviews omtrent de Ford Focus ST
