Bold, brash Ford in sharp Focus

Ford has slam-dunked all attempts at subtlety in its update of the Focus ST.

Skinned in a searing "electric" orange, it still comes across as bold, bulked-up beef even if you opt for a more muted colour.

It's exactly the sort of look you'd expect from Ford TeamRS, the firm's dedicated performance vehicle arm that created this Focus flagship car, and boys who like their toys will love the option of putting two wide, white stripes down the middle of the ST, from bonnet to back door.

True enthusiasts might not view the ST as the definitive hot hatch, but it is a clearly defined one.

This latest take on the performance Focus is only just out, but the changes are mostly on the styling side, with the under-bonnet and chassis mechanicals untouched.

That's understandable - the in-line five-cylinder, turbocharged engine is the oh-so-smooth side to this bit of Ford brash. It delivers quite a kick, yet feels refined and sophisticated.

You'll see the ST coming but not always hear it.

Even with ultra-quick changes, there's no missing a gear through the close, notchy, six-speed gearbox, and take-off is always straight and sure, with 62mph reached in 6.8 seconds.

The 222bhp unit can keep up the glowing pace to a top speed of 150mph, thanks to maximum torque of 236lb/ft available from 1,400 to 4,000 revs.

With mpg sitting realistically in the late 20s - officially, it is 30.4mpg - this isn't a car for shy, retiring wallets, either.

The Recaro sports seats - with burnt orange panels - keep you firmly fastened down through tighter bends, which the ST relishes.

Powerful brakes, electronic stability and traction control pour total confidence into the dynamic, powerhouse drive. Handling is keen and well controlled.

Noticeable new items to the ST were a starter button - the keys can stay in your pocket - and the Ford capless fuel tank.

There's still three trim levels, ST, ST-2 and ST-3, with the supplied ST-2 adding a Sony audio, bi-xenon headlights, LEd rear lights and a heated windscreen to its standard kit list.

You can now buy a new range of goodies for the ST, including hi-tech items such as a tyre pressure sensor.

Ford fitted a few to the test car, such as rear parking sensors for £200, Bluetooth hands-free and voice control communication system at £150, and an £800 premium touch-screen satnav unit.

Not so hi-tech, but also at extra cost, were the heated seats, at £250, the privacy glass (£100) which looked good with the Electric Orange paint job (£695) but failed to tone it down, dual-zone auto temperature control costing £400, and global window closing at £175.

On this three-door, the latter seemed an odd fitting - it would suit the five-door ST better, which gets rear electric windows, too.

Added together, the extras bumped up the £19,250 ST-2's asking price to £22,020 - think about it, this car and all that equipment is still cheap in the flying family hatchback segment.

By Phil Vaughan