3 April 2002: A new high-powered Ford Focus is now available in Ireland which recalls the heyday of Ford performance vehicles based on mainstream cars.

The Focus ST170 is powered by a more advanced version of the 130PS 2-litre Duratec engine that tops the existing Focus range. It outputs 170PS and has a wide punchy torque band that pushes out 95% of its peak torque between 2500-6000rpm.

With a new aluminium cylinder head, Ford Special Vehicle Engineering has managed to improve gas flow characteristics, increase the rev capability and give the power unit a higher comopression ratio. A 6-speed Getrag manual gearbox uses a clever double layshaft system to make it the same size as the standard Focus gearbox.

Stronger springs and shocks underpin a sophisticated re-design of the suspension system to get the extra power on the road properly and keep the car's handling characteristics up with the extra oomph. The 0-100kph run can be done in 8.2secs.

The exterior cues that this is something special are restrained, with a discreet tail badge, a larger mesh in the radiator grille, and round projector-style headlamps behind the distinctive plain-glass Focus 'extended tear-drop' lamps. There are also subtly different side and rear mouldings, and special 15-spoke 17" alloy wheels to show the car off.

Inside, a couple of extra small instruments detailing oil pressure and temperature give away the game that this is a different Focus. A few 'silvered' details and leather trims also provide differentiation.

The Focus ST170 can now be ordered in Ireland at a price from 34,133 euros. We've given it an introductory drive which confirmed once again that the Focus in any guise is still among the best cars in its class. Watch this space towards the end of the month for an in-depth review.

©2002irishcar.com