Topic: First Drive: 2013 Ford Focus ST

[Autos_Editor]

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[tpl]

So far I think I want one.  Just have to see how VW compete with the Mk VII  GTI.   

I really hope the ST will sell so as MKII suggested, we might then get the RS  but I think Ford's engineers would be well advised to get a perfect ( or as good as the DSG/DCT/PDK) Powershift transmission in the ST for the 90% of people who just won't consider a manual.

[sailor723]

So far I think I want one.  Just have to see how VW compete with the Mk VII  GTI.   

I really hope the ST will sell so as MKII suggested, we might then get the RS  but I think Ford's engineers would be well advised to get a perfect ( or as good as the DSG/DCT/PDK) Powershift transmission in the ST for the 90% of people who just won't consider a manual.

Yep, when the vast majority of consumers won't consider a manual tranny,  the AT you offer better not be the weak link in your car!

[safristi]

tpl's playing Tangerine Dreams full blast again....................... ...take one out fer a spin and drive the PITH out of it.....


 we spent years trying to get orange peel paint out of our car finishes now they charge ya $300 Extra for it....................

[tpl]

Ok Saf, I'll do that in the heat of the midday sun as well shall I?   

[safristi]

  Today ....35C forecast with Humidity a Tiger would hate.....seems a GOOD TIME will be had by ALL.....except U.............that should restrict the HP to your abilities..... (saucy!! boy)......remember torque first then STEER..............then we can discuss a GTO i owned by a lil olde man from Passaguelphia..............

[Whofan]

Now we are talking.. but  few years too late, had a 2005 ST, didn't like it.  Now... I can't justify it to the wife getting a small car like that

[nlm]

Great pricing, it comes very close that what the G1 SVT was priced at but offers so much more.

Good point about the faux torque vectoring likely to increase brake fade at the track.

[nlm]

Great pricing, it comes very close that what the G1 SVT was priced at but offers so much more.

Good point about the faux torque vectoring likely to increase brake fade at the track.

[The Mighty Duck]

I really hope the ST will sell so as MKII suggested, we might then get the RS  but I think Ford's engineers would be well advised to get a perfect ( or as good as the DSG/DCT/PDK) Powershift transmission in the ST for the 90% of people who just won't consider a manual.

I actually really appreciate automakers that refuse to put automatics in cars like this, sales figures be damned. The day Honda starts selling the Civic Si with an automatic will be a dark day in my books...

[vdk]

I really hope the ST will sell so as MKII suggested, we might then get the RS  but I think Ford's engineers would be well advised to get a perfect ( or as good as the DSG/DCT/PDK) Powershift transmission in the ST for the 90% of people who just won't consider a manual.

I actually really appreciate automakers that refuse to put automatics in cars like this, sales figures be damned. The day Honda starts selling the Civic Si with an automatic will be a dark day in my books...

What does it matter? You don't want it, don't get it. Nobody's enforcing automatic transmissions on the populous.

I'm curious to know if my chipped GTI would outrun the ST in a race to the mechanic. I think it would.

Oh and 30k for this is pretty good I'd say.

[aaronk]

I really hope the ST will sell so as MKII suggested, we might then get the RS  but I think Ford's engineers would be well advised to get a perfect ( or as good as the DSG/DCT/PDK) Powershift transmission in the ST for the 90% of people who just won't consider a manual.

I actually really appreciate automakers that refuse to put automatics in cars like this, sales figures be damned. The day Honda starts selling the Civic Si with an automatic will be a dark day in my books...

Yep. For people who can't shift their own gears and generally want an appliance there's always the base models with less power. If however you want to start enjoying driving, the admission price is learning how to shift!   

*tongue-in-cheek if that didn't come across already.

[Fobroader]

I really hope the ST will sell so as MKII suggested, we might then get the RS  but I think Ford's engineers would be well advised to get a perfect ( or as good as the DSG/DCT/PDK) Powershift transmission in the ST for the 90% of people who just won't consider a manual.

I actually really appreciate automakers that refuse to put automatics in cars like this, sales figures be damned. The day Honda starts selling the Civic Si with an automatic will be a dark day in my books...

Yup, theres a nice tan Corrola with your name on it. You want the full fat, sport edition, learn how to work a clutch.

[The Mighty Duck]

What does it matter? You don't want it, don't get it. Nobody's enforcing automatic transmissions on the populous.

It's about signalling. Eschewing an automatic demonstrates they mean it when they say this car is for enthusiasts.

[walk0080]

Looks good but too bad it took so long for Ford to get this out on the market (same goes for the Fiesta ST). Several years to late as I ended up buying a new MINI John Cooper Works (JCW) instead last year and bypassed all of Ford's products.

Great pricing, it comes very close that what the G1 SVT was priced at but offers so much more.

I agree - reminds me of the 2000 SVT (I had a 2000 ZX3 for 8 years and could not afford the SVT version at the time).

Good point about the faux torque vectoring likely to increase brake fade at the track.

If the brakes are sized and cooled appropriately, then I doubt the electronic limited slip will cause brake fade. I know of MINI JCW owners who only burn out their brakes if they leave the stability control ON for track use but using the electronic limited slip ("EDLC") seems to be OK. Of course the MINI brakes are huge and not sure how they compare to the new Focus ST on the track.

[nlm]

What does it matter? You don't want it, don't get it. Nobody's enforcing automatic transmissions on the populous.

Except when an automatic is offered as the only transmission, which is the case for more North American models than not.

Another exception would be a limited run of manuals and your dealer can't find one.

[nsmyhte]

"This system works wonders on the street, but I did not get a chance to test the system on track where I suspect it may overheat the brakes if it is overused."

Isn't it "used" whenever you take a hard corner and since you have no choice whether to use it or not, I guess its inevitable that the brakes will overheat?

[Fobroader]

Having seen what brake controlled LSD can do to brakes offroad, Id think the same would apply to one used on a track. I think a hard day of lapping or autocrossing would cook the brakes.

[vdk]

What does it matter? You don't want it, don't get it. Nobody's enforcing automatic transmissions on the populous.

Except when an automatic is offered as the only transmission, which is the case for more North American models than not.

Another exception would be a limited run of manuals and your dealer can't find one.

That's not the case with cars like the GTI, Genesis etc.

[vdk]

What does it matter? You don't want it, don't get it. Nobody's enforcing automatic transmissions on the populous.

It's about signalling. Eschewing an automatic demonstrates they mean it when they say this car is for enthusiasts.

So cars like the GTI, TT-S, 335i, Ferraris, Lambos etc etc etc are not for enthusiasts?