Think the Mk3 Focus is the sole
preserve of us Brits? Then think again, because these ones come all the way
from Canada…
“Modifying a domestic car was very uncommon
in our local car community – mine was often the only domestic in a sea of
Hondas, Nissans, Toyotas and other imports,” he said. “In the past couple of
years though, we’ve noticed a steady increase at our local shows and events
although there’s still not many sedans like mine!”
The
Focus ST belongs on any enthusiast’s short list, combining a high fun-to-drive
factor with the versatility of a five-door hatchback; that’s why we’ve named it
a 10Best in the past. A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is standard, as is
a six-speed manual gearbox. The ST shines on a winding road or track and offers
decent efficiency and value. However, torque steer is still an issue, and the
optional MyFord Touch is confusing.
One of the people that Bill has helped to
inspire is of course his best mate, Mario, a self-confessed Honda fan boy and a
man who’s more used to hard revving Civics than the turbo-charged power of a
Focus ST. After picking up his car brand new in January 2013, it took a couple
of months before Mario finally succumbed to some upgrades, but even then he
tells us he was a bit reluctant to do much to the Focus at first.
“It was supposed to stay ‘nearly stock’ but
we all know that’s easier said than done!” he said.
After experimenting with some basic mods
such as an air filter and gear knob, followed by a vinyl roof wrap and lowering
springs, Mario eventually swapped over the standard wheels for a set of
8.5x18-inch Varrstoen ES222 rims.
VW
Corrado on fifteen52 Tarmac Wheels
A cat back exhaust and Cobbtuning re-map
followed shortly after, along with a Triple R Composites front splitter from
the UK and some H&R coil overs as he wasn’t satisfied with the ride height
provided by the springs. After picking up a set of 9.5x18-inch Fifteen52 Tarmac
alloys in order to Mk3 Foci provide some variety from the Varrstoen’s, Mario
had a long Canadian spec winter to decide what the next step would be – and
what he decided on was air suspension. A popular mod with the VW and Audi crowd,
air suspension is a long way away from the kind of thing that’s deemed as being
acceptable in the UK Ford tuning scene, mostly because it’s regarded as being a
bit too ‘trendy’. Which is a shame, because when you look at Mario’s Focus we
would have to argue that, all things considered, it actually works quite well.
The
WORK Emotion CR Ultimate ("Kiwami") is the latest addition to the
WORK Emotion lineup. Inspired by the classic Emotion CR design, it utilizes the
latest in WORK Flowforming Technology (WFT) for a lighter and stronger wheel.
“I bought the air suspension set-up from
Fifteen52 and it’s actually the same kit that was taken from their STanced
project car,” said Mario. “Myself and a couple of friends installed it over a
very long and cold weekend in March this year. Over the winter I’d also ordered
a set of custom 9.5x18-inch Work Wheels Japan CR Kai Kiwani Ultimate alloys.
These were ordered in a specific fitment to work with the air suspension and I
had to wait five and a half months for them to arrive!”
