Due for arrival on these shores sometime next year, the Ford Mondeo ST 220 is a car worth waiting for. After three enthusiastic laps of Swartkops as driver and another three as a passenger I can vouch for that.
The flagship Mondeo features an exquisitely breathed-upon three litre Duratec ST quad-cam aluminium V6 engine mated to a Getrag 6 speed manual transmission. Output is a very healthy 166 kW at 6 150 r/min, with 280 Nm of torque being available at 4 900 r/min. Zero to 100 km/h acceleration is 7.5 seconds and the targeted top speed is 243 km/h, according to the factory. But it’s not all just about the engine, and the standard Mondeo underpinnings have been tuned for the demands of the ST220’s higher performance delivery. The suspension has been lowered by 15 mm, and the car cruises around on 18″ rims clad with low-profile P225/40R18 performance tyres. The steering system also features faster gearing for performance-oriented responsiveness, and flared wheel arches, along with various sporty-looking body bits, lets car buffs know that this is a rather special Mondeo.
Of course, all the normal comfort and safety features found in the rest of the Mondeo range remain. Standard features include power adjustable leather front seats, with a hide-trimmed steering wheel and gearknob. The ST220’s black instrument panel features a high-gloss black centre console and gear-lever bezel, with a trip computer and remote control in-dash six-CD autochanger fitted as standard. Six airbags protect the passenger cell, and ABS, ESP, EBA and, for all I know, AZT provide electronic assistance to handling and braking ability by monitoring traction loss and then doing something about it. We tried it all out at Swartkops, and loved it. Taut handling, a very strong, beautiful sounding engine and excellent brakes made for a thrilling half dozen laps. Ford performance is back!
We also got to thrash the entire Ford Focus range around the track — the recently-launched Ambiente 1,6 (R149 960), the three-door ST 170, and the two litre Trend (R181 885). All were great, with the sports heritage of the ST 170 shining through under racetrack conditions. With 126 kW on tap at 7 000 rpm, the ST170 offers a 30 kW improvement on the standard two-litre, plus a new six-speed gearbox, 17-inch alloy wheels and low-profile tyres allied to more powerful brakes and tweaked suspension. Capable of zero-to-100-km/h acceleration in 8.2 seconds and a top speed of 215 km/h, the R211 330 Focus ST 170 is a fun-filled road gobbler.
Next month Ford will be launching a diesel-powered Focus in South Africa, and we were given the chance to sample this model around the racetrack as a taster of what’s to come. The Ford Focus 1.8-litre TDCi Trend, which will be available in both 4- and 5-door configurations, will have the same level of specification as its 2.0-litre petrol sibling apart from the 85 kW 1.8-litre Duratorq turbodiesel engine. Around the track I found the engine to provide deceptively brisk performance. Far fewer gear changes were called for than in the petrol versions thanks to the oil-burner’s wide spread of torque, resulting in quickish laps in a laid-back fashion. Lovely.
And now for the bad news…
|
| The stylish Ford Focus RS… just to tempt you. Unfortunately it won’t be available in South Africa. (Photo: FMCSA @ motorpics).
|
One model I drove that — regrettably — won’t be on sale in South Africa was the very limited production Focus RS. With only 4 500 being built sales are limited to Europe, but I believe the factory should throw caution to the winds and build ’em as fast as they can in unlimited quantities because they’d sell by the bucketful. The Ford Focus RS is an out-and-out performance car, and gave me the most fun I’ve had on four wheels in years. The two litre Duratec engine is force-fed by an intercooled Garrett turbocharger and boasts forged pistons and other strengthened components to handle the 158 kW of power and 310 Nm of torque.
These are pretty serious figures for a front-wheel-drive car, so a Quaife automatic torque-biasing differential is fitted to eliminate torque steer when the power is dumped on the road via the close-ratio five speed gearbox. Sparco seats, a sexy body kit, a heavy-duty AP Racing clutch, massive Brembo disc brakes and trick suspension carrying 18″ rims with low profile rubber all make this a perfect toy for wayward boys. Top speed is in excess of 230 km/hr, and the 0-100 km/hr sprint is all over in just 6,7 seconds. The imperial ton – 100 mph, or 160 km/hr – comes up in 15,5 seconds. Around the track the handling was superb, with the wide rubber scrabbling for traction and the car going exactly where it was pointed.
Ford South Africa promised us that they’re going to be coming back in a big way to regain their reputation for making value and fun-filled cars that offered great performance. We think they’ve taken a good few steps in the right direction.