Review: Ford LR Focus ST170 (2003-04)

Overview

Released in Australia in May 2003, the Ford LR Focus ST170 was a three-door hatchback. Manufactured in Saarlouis, Germany, the Focus ST170 was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that was mated to six-speed manual transmission.

Duratec engine

The Focus ST170’s ‘Duratec’ engine had a cast iron block with an 84.8 mm bore and 88.0 mm stroke for a capacity of 1988 cc, a die-cast aluminium alloy cylinder head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable intake valve timing and a compression ratio of 10.2:1. The intake camshaft’s maximum opening point, relative to crankshaft degrees, could be varied between 85 and 145 degrees after top dead centre (TDC). Variability was calibrated according to engine speed, load and operating temperature and controlled by changing oil pressure on either side of a piston in a helix between the cam and its drive pulley.

Compared to the standard LR Focus , changes for the Focus ST170 included:

• A new high-flow cylinder head;
• Higher-lift intake and exhaust camshafts;
• Larger inlet valves (33.5 mm diameter) and stiffer springs for both intake and exhaust valves;
• Continuously variable intake valve timing;
• Stronger, lightweight cast-aluminium pistons with larger 20 mm wrist pins;
• A higher compression ratio;
• Sinter-forged steel connecting rods with fracture-split big ends;
• A dual state intake (DSI) manifold with four tuned runners that could be adjusted in length. In its closed position, intake air entering the plenum travelled through the long runners to boost low-end torque. At 6000 rpm, the runners rotated into an open position, providing a shorter path to the intake port and boosting top-end power;
• A low-loss air filter;
• An electronically-controlled high-output fuel pump;
• An exhaust manifold with equal-length tubular headers in a 4-2-1 configuration; and,
• A stainless steel exhaust system with a 65 mm diameter pipe.

The Focus ST170 produced peak power of 127 kW at 7000 rpm, had 7200 rpm redline and rev limiter intervention at 7400 rpm. Although peak torque was 196 Nm at 5500 rpm, 85 per cent (i.e. 166.6 Nm) was available from 2200 rpm. The Focus ST170 required 95 RON premium unleaded petrol

The Focus ST170 could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds and had a top speed of 215 km/h.

Transmission

The Focus ST170 had a six-speed close-ratio Getrag (MT285) manual transmission with fully synchronised gears, a hydraulically-operated clutch and a dual mass flywheel. For compact packaging, the transmission had a twin-layshaft design in which:

• The first layshaft – with a final drive ratio of 2.88:1 to the differential – contained the first, second, fifth and sixth gears; and,
• The second layshaft – with a final drive ratio of 4.25:1 – contained third, fourth and reverse gears.

Dimensions

The Focus ST170 was 4152 mm long, 1699 mm wide, 1430 mm tall and had a 2615 mm long wheelbase. Kerb weight was 1208 kg, with a 62.5% (front) to 37.5% (rear) weight distribution. Furthermore, the Focus ST170 had a drag coefficient of 0.337 Cd.

Suspension

The Focus ST170 had MacPherson strut front suspension with angled coil springs, lower A-arms mounted on a separate front sub-frame via double horizontal bushings and a 21 mm anti-roll bar. At the rear, the ‘Control Blade’ independent rear suspension had vertical dampers, a 21 mm anti-roll bar and urethane droplinks. Compared to the standard LR Focus, changes for the Focus ST 170 included 10 per cent stiffer springs (front and rear), front dampers with larger 27 mm (diameter) rods and new urethane drop link bushings.

Steering

The Focus ST170 had hydraulic power-assisted steering that was tuned with special gearing and a unique pump that provided less assistance at higher engine speeds.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Focus ST170 included dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, traction control, electronic stability control (Ford’s ‘VDC AdvanceTrac’) and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. 

Brakes

The Focus ST170 had 300 mm by 24 mm vented front brake discs and 280 mm by 10 mm solid rear discs.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a five-door Focus hatch fitted with a 1.6-litre engine – and equipped with dual front airbags – received a four star adult occupant safety rating with a score of 25.15 out of 37. In the offset crash test, protection from serious leg injury was marginal for the driver, while chest protection was marginal for the front passenger.

Features: Focus ST170

Standard features for the Focus ST170 included 17 x 7.0J fifteen-spoke alloy wheels, 215/45 R17 Continental ContiSport Contact tyres, a four speaker sound system with a six-disc in-dash CD player, sports seats with leather bolsters, a power adjustable driver’s seat, air conditioning, front fog lights, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, front vanity mirrors, drilled metallic pedal covers with rubber grips, front floor mats, illuminated footwells, illuminated vanity mirrors, scuff plates, an alarm and immobiliser.

Compared to the standard LR Focus, the ST170 could be identified by Imperial Blue metallic paint finish, honeycomb-mesh grille, projector-style fog lamps, body kit (with front, side and rear skirts), tailgate spoiler and ‘ST170’ badges.

Related links

• Specifications: Ford LR Focus (May 2004)
• Wikipedia.org: Ford Mk.1 Focus