Think the Mk3 Focus is the sole
preserve of us Brits? Then think again, because these ones come all the way
from Canada…
It’s a well-known fact that, in days gone
by, the performance Fords we all know and love were pretty much reserved for
the Great British public. It’s true, of course, that some did make it overseas,
especially in competition Cosworth trim, but as a rule, if it had XR, RS or ST
on the back of it, then the chances are the steering wheel was on the right
hand side.
The
bold red ST badge promises a more colorful driving experience, as proof that
the Focus ST meets strict performance-enhancement targets in power, stopping
distance and more. It does it all with efficiency in mind – best-in-class
manual fuel economy too.
This all changed, however, with the arrival
of the Mk3 Focus and the Mk7 Fiesta, cars that represented Ford’s plan to make
its cars all share ‘global’ platforms and one that resulted in the world’s best
hot-hatches muscling in on markets that would have traditionally been dominated
by big V8s or Japanese imports. And, when you’ve got the likes of Ken Block
giving the Focus and Fiesta STs the seal of approval, it’s perhaps not
surprising that they’ve become increasingly popular with petrol heads from all
four corners of the globe.
Take these two Mk3 Foci for example, which
belong to Canadians Bill Mackenzie and Mario de Roza. The pair are obviously
good mates, but it was 22- year-old Bill who got his Focus first, and just in
case you’re thinking that North America got an ST version of the four door
sedan, we should point out that his car is actually the naturally aspirated
2-litre SE model that makes around 160bhp, albeit one that does a very good
impression of its more powerful stable mate thanks to the genuine ST front end
and side skirts.
The
entry-level manual 2.0-litre SE saloon model costs from $35,600 and emits
155g/km of CO2, climbing to £30,760 for the 2.0 T XWD automatic saloon, with
206g/km.
“I had actually set out to buy a DC2/4
Acura Integra but after months of searching and never being able to find a
suitable base, I turned my attention to new cars instead,” said Bill. “Working
at a Ford dealership I had spent lots of time with the then brand new
generation Focus and was really impressed with them. I ended up getting the SE
model because at the time it was the only way to get one in this colour with a
manual transmission.”
After previous experience of modifying his
1992 Pontiac Grand Prix, Bill knew he couldn’t leave the brand new Focus
standard, although he admits that he had to wait for quite a while before
decent aftermarket parts became available. However, after playing around with
small tweaks such as tinted fog lights, a new gear knob and whatever he could
find from the Ford parts catalogue, the aftermarket eventually started to pick
up and Bill was able to start adding upgrades such as a carbon lip spoiler,
rear anti-roll bar and more besides. By 2013, the Focus was starting to take
shape and by spring this year it had been treated to the full ST makeover, coil
overs and those cool looking Fifteen52 Tarmac alloys.
Very
smooth ride and wind won't boss you around. This car is not a toy. At 3,300
lbs, gusts of wind on a bridge do practically nothing. After driving this car
for a week, I cannot drive a regular car again without thinking it is a toy!
While it might not have the power of a full
fat ST, there’s no denying that Bill’s car certainly stands out from the usual Mk3s
that we see in the UK, and while we hope it provides some inspiration for Focus
lovers closer to home, Bill reckons it’s also made quite an impression in his
native Canada.
