No really, it's something to do with joining lightweight composite materials to the normal materials in other parts of the car. They haven't quite mastered it yet. I think it was in Autoexpress.

so which structural bits of a focus ST are lightweight composites then?

The front end i believe

The front end i believe

i believe you are talking nonsense...

You could be right. Maybe I dreamt it.

My Performance Blue ST-3 arrives tomorrow. I get Ford staff discount, so it's a real no brainer - £15,560 with the metallic and no hassle as it's ordered from the main dealer.

Engine is a corker, though it doesn't have the grunt of either of my old Saabs (Classic 900 - 260bhp/280lb, 9000 290bhp/305 lb) or the bottom end of wifey's Fabia VRS. However, it sounds fantastic, grips amazingly well, has awesome seats and brakes to die for. Re the brakes, I had 325mm Reb Brembo's on the Saab and the Focus jobbies are better. It's a great package, but I'd say doesn't quite have the feel of other Focus's I have driven, such as my old shape 2.0 Zetec. Can't wait to get it re-mapped, though...

I'm sure it is a great car and if I took it for a test drive I'd love it, but it's not really for me.

Though if someone was to give me one I would not say no!

My Performance Blue ST-3 arrives tomorrow. I get Ford staff discount, so it's a real no brainer -

I'm sure it is a great car and if I took it for a test drive I'd love it, but it's not really for me.

Reminds me - must ring Andover Ford back now they have an ST-2 available for test driving

Chris

Reminds me - must ring Andover Ford back now they have an ST-2 available for test driving

Chris

hmmm I wonder if my local ford dealer has one in? Last time I asked for a test drive they wanted me to place an order first! to them I never went back

hmmm I wonder if my local ford dealer has one in? Last time I asked for a test drive they wanted me to place an order first! to them I never went back

Would that be the one in Wycombe - I tried to get a test drive of the ST220 when I was replacing my Galant and got the same treatment - that's how I ended up with my Octy

Mine's a cautious no by the way, I know monkeychild is thinking about the Focus ST though.

hmmm I wonder if my local ford dealer has one in? Last time I asked for a test drive they wanted me to place an order first! to them I never went back

Just spoken to them and apparently the ST-2 in the showroom is not to have any miles put on it so they're ringing the other local dealers to get hold of a demonstrator for me this Saturday Chap was very helpful and even rang Ford to see what their policy was on 24 hour test drives of the ST ... I suspect you can guess the answer, but if you don't ask, you don't get

Just waiting for Skoda to get back to me about the new vRS now ... one week and counting since I sent them an enquiry

Chris

Could be worse I asked for the information pack and test drive request ages ago still haven't had anything back

Why are they not putting any miles of the demo? Seems silly it's not like it's a high performance car (honda used to do the same with the NSX)

Anyone else think this car might be the new thief magnet (hope not:( )

Anyone else think this car might be the new thief magnet (hope not:( )

Undoubtably

Undoubtably

Along with most other sporty new cars...... Impreza's, Civics, Evo's, Octy's, etc, etc

Chris

Im sure theives will like it.. equally its so much more difficult to steal a car these days.... hence they will come for the keys... at which point they will go for easy targets.. isolated houses / no dog / poor home security / car not garaged.

As for the car its self. I need to get a test drive sorted. Have 99% decided that I want an ST2 in white.. which may just aqquire GT40 style grpahics.. but should really drive before ordering...

Had my test drive yesterday, loved it. Going to see an orange one at the weekend just to see if SWMBO likes it if not the blue is fantastic. It handles like a go cart compared to my lowered Fabia and is a damn sight quieter.

Doesn't quite have the overtaking ability of the Fabia which was the only downside. And it has fantastic brakes so shouldn't do a Mil.

Doesn't quite have the overtaking ability of the Fabia which was the only downside.

I'm sure a quick remap could sort that out

Chris

I'm sure the Focus could easily pass any Fabia as soon as corners are invloved. It's brakes and handling would make in/out of corner overtaking a doddle.

EDIT: The ST would also murder an Octavia in a similar situation.

Doesn't quite have the overtaking ability of the Fabia which was the only downside. And it has fantastic brakes so shouldn't do a Mil.

You werent driving it properly then... either that or it is still very tight.

The ST has 230 lb ft of torque, same as the Fabia, and its gearing is likely lower too, so it should have more torque at the wheels.

Even my Clio which is "gutless" compared to the Fabia at 148 lb ft can easily overtake with more force than a Fabia - you just have to give the engine plenty of revs.

yeah but no orange!,

I think its a case of Fabia VRS driver being scared of anything more than 4500 rpm

I think its a case of Fabia VRS driver being scared of anything more than 4500 rpm

Do not come here with your witchcraft talk!! Such things do not exist

It's a no from me. I'm waiting for the diesel Astra VXR or TDI Octy II vRS. Whichever gets to market sooner gets my custom

i'd love one, can't stand those stupid diesel things anywaymyself. like mil says diesel is only for tractors and lorries