Performance Review: Ford Focus ST 170 - [2002]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Focus Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Focus ST 170 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2002. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12 and the 2002 Pagani Zonda C12 S 7.3.This particular Ford Focus has a 1989cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Focus shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Focus's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1208 kgs (2663 lbs) this makes the Ford Focus ST 170 in the same weight category as the 2018 McLaren Senna 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Focus shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 1989cc 16V St4 engine produces 171 bhp (127 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 144 lb-ft (195.2 Nm) @ 5500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (159 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Focus you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Coupe (166.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Focus.

The Ford Focus has a Power to weight ratio of 141.5 bhp per ton and 119.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2002 Focus competing with the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Coupe (166.4 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (166.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Focus generating around 119.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2011 Skoda Octavia RS 2.0 Turbo (144.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 1968 Alpine A110 1300 (144.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.2 secs, this made the Ford Focus ST 170 as fast as the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (7.90 secs) the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TDI (7.90 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps Sportshift (7.90 secs) the or the 2011 Infiniti FX 30d 3.0 V6 Diesel (7.90 secs). This Ford Focus ST 170 is also faster than the 2011 Citroen DS5 1.6 THP 200 (8.00 secs) the 2009 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (8.00 secs) the 2008 Alfa-Romeo Mito 1.4 155 T-Jet Veloce (8.00 secs) the and the 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.9 Sport Multijet (8.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Focus and the 1969 Ferrari 246 Dino GT

When talking about the performance of the Ford Focus on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.44 secs @ 88.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1969 Ferrari 246 Dino GT (15.37 secs), the 2013 Peugeot 208 GTi 1.6 Turbo (15.37 secs), and the 2013 BMW 3 Series 335i Gran Turismo F34 (15.37 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2002 version of the Ford Focus ST 170 has a maximum speed of 134mph.

Top Speed of the 2002 Focus equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (145 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2002 Ford Focus ST 170 then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (145 mph), the 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 350 Roadster 3.5 V6 (145 mph), or the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD (145 mph).

Related Links:

2002 Focus Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison