Will an underdog be accepted as king of the kennel? More specifically, can a 206kW front-drive hot hatch fill the boots of a far more hyperactive four-wheel-drive big brother now out of the picture?

Base Price:  $59,490
Powertrain and performance:  2.3-litre four-cylinder DOHC 16-valve turbocharged petrol engine. 206kW/5500rpm, 420Nm/3000-4000rpm. Front-wheel drive. Fuel consumption 8.6L/100km (claim), 8.8L/100km (road test).
Vital statistics: Length 4388mm, height 1492mm, width 1825mm, wheelbase 2700mm. Luggage 273 litres. Wheels: 19-inch alloys with 235/35 ZR19 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.
We Like: Genuine hot-hatch turbo performance supported by highly competent suspension tuning, braking capability plus superb steering. Appealing sub-$60K price point delivers a cohesive mix of performance, five-door hatch practicality and a generous equipment level.

We don’t like: No manual transmission availability for NZ market. Gearing of auto is not quite suited to 100kmh highway cruising.

SAY hello to Ford’s half-RSed new hot-hatch.

That’s both a cheeky journalist quip and a compliment to the Ford Performance engineers’ achievement with the new Focus ST.

For three generations the Focus has offered warmed-up ST and properly hot RS models. However, it was recently confirmed there isn’t going to be a gen-four Focus RS.

That’s bad news if you like insanely quick AWD hot-hatches with $80K price tags but good news if your situation allows a seriously quick car with a sub-$60K window sticker.

The ST becomes a more serious performer with the first clues to its progress found on the specification list.

There’s increased engine displacement with the new 2.3-litre four-cylinder being a close relative of both the Mustang Turbo and gen-3 Focus RS engine.

In ST tune it features twin scroll turbo plumbing, electronic waste gate control plus anti-lag system and develops 206kW at 5500rpm (up from 184kW from the previous 2.0-litre unit). A 60Nm increase hikes peak torque to 420Nm between 3000-4000rpm. 

In perhaps the biggest change the ST becomes exclusively a two-pedal experience for Kiwi buyers to rival the likes of the VW Golf GTI and Renault Megane RS and differentiate from the manual-only Hyundai i30N and Honda Civic Type R.

The new seven-speed automatic with paddle shifters will broaden the buyer appeal of the Focus ST. Other markets – including Australia – offer a six-speed manual version as well but Ford NZ believes the volume sales potential rests with the ST auto and wants to concentrate on a single variant.

The ST can deliver punchy acceleration and has high-torque part-throttle response. The transmission shifts quickly and smoothly but the gearing is slightly out of step with Kiwi speed limits - at 100km/h it settles in sixth gear at 1700rpm and doesn’t make the final upshift till about 107kmh.

The new ST performance hardware doesn’t end with the engine and transmission.

An electronically controlled limited slip differential assists with power application through the front-drive chassis and a Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) system makes its debut.

CCD monitors suspension, steering and braking inputs at 2 milli-second frequency to adjust damping responses. It’s a very responsive system that gives a much more supple ride than you might expect at lower speeds but provides taut damping control when it’s required.

Along with the e-LSD the new ST gains revised steering and front suspension geometry along with a multi-link rear suspension rather than the torsion beam axle used in mainstream Focus hatches.

It rides 10mm lower and the power-down confidence even on damp surfaces is impressive with excellent 235/35 ZR19 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres working alongside the new geometry and electronics. 

Well defined Normal, Sport, Track and Slippery selectable drive modes further widen the character of the ST. Sport and Track add some throaty amplified engine note accompaniment and throttle blipping down shifts. For quicker access to Sport mode there’s a button on the steering wheel rather than scrolling through modes.

But perhaps the very best attribute of the Focus ST is the quickened steering ratio and the consistent feedback that it offers. 

It’s just 2.0 turns lock-to-lock and the level of assistance and road feel is very impressive. The car communicates its confidence and grip level whether it’s on city streets, the smoothest of highways or a lumpy and twisty rural road.

Ford New Zealand has launched the new Focus ST with a $59,490 price-tag. It’s smartly appointed with highlights including the firmly bolstered, leather and alcantara trimmed Recaro front seats, a Head-Up Display and excellent LED headlights with auto high beam control.

The ST exterior theme includes unique dark grey mesh grille and lower frontal treatment, side skirts, 19-inch alloy wheels, an extended rear spoiler and lower rear diffuser. 

There is a reasonably large diameter flat bottom steering wheel provides substance to the driving experience and ST detailing includes instruments with red needles, Ford Performance sill plates and silver stitch seat trim.

Standard equipment includes dual zone climate control, heated front seats, keyless entry and start, an electric park brake, auto park system, the latest generation SYNC3 infotainment system with Navigation, Apple Car Play and Android Auto accessed by the 8.0-inch touchscreen.

In terms of practicality the Focus ST shares the longer wheelbase benefits with its mainstream stablemates including improved rear passenger legroom and offers a 60/40 split fold rear seat. 

The ST carries a space saver spare wheel but there is room to stow a full-size tyre if you remove the plastic spacer.

This half-RSed strategy has achieved a substantially heightened level of performance and capability for the Focus ST. It’s exactly where the wisecrack suggests – neatly between previous ST and RS excitement and is made all the more attractive by remaining close to the prior ST price point.