Ford Focus ST Estate 2.0 Ecoblue review
July 02, 2019
Ford Focus ST Estate 2.0 Ecoblue review - This is an extreme far from the new family of the Ford Focus ST from the gasoline hatchback we have reviewed. The 2.0-liter Ecoblue diesel engine will be offered in both hatchbacks and plantations, and that is the practical train we have here.
With 187bhp, this is the most powerful diesel-powered Focus to date, but still far below the power compared to the 276bhp 2.3 liter ST Ecoboost.
Diesel buyers must make other concessions too. Ecoblue will only be offered with a six-speed manual gearbox, not offering the optional Ecoboost seven-speed automatic. It's also 42kg heavier and therefore slower: Ford claims 7.7s 0-62mph of respectable time but some ways are far from the 5.8sec's gasoline plantations.
The Estate version of the Focus ST uses passive dampers, rather than the standard adaptive arrangement of gasoline hatchbacks, while diesel hatchback buyers will be able to choose an active system. Diesel is also not without an electronically controlled limited slip differential.
Compensation coming from the engine economy is far superior to Ecoblue - 58.7mpg combined with official tests - and lower prices; for £ 30,595, this is cheaper than 2,500 pounds rather than Ecoboost.
There is a bit of a surprise that Ecoblue feels a bit boring and decent when compared to the growling gasoline model. But contrary to the criteria that can be applied fairly to diesel plantations, it is very impressive.
Beyond the heavy bass tunes that are beautifully tuned and which can sometimes convince the occupants, there is something bigger and bolder that lurks under the hood, the Ecoblue engine offers a bit of fun. Torque has a little less than the Ecoboost (295lb ft to 310lb ft), but its peak is available at 2000rpm lower, and quickly makes preferences for life easy to clear. This will change all the way to the 5000rpm limiter if the mood takes you, but clearly doesn't enjoy training and making vocal protests. This is the happiest in its muscular mid-range, and on the test route covering the challenging Col de Vence road near Nice, Ecoblue proved willing to pull without complaint on steep slopes of less than 2000rpm in fourth and fifth gear.
Throttle response is far worse than sharp Ecoboost, and even Sport mode doesn't sharpen it much. Diesel Focus ST carries almost all the extra weight on the front axle, and without an electronically controlled differential, it feels fewer fleets and cannot accelerate under-powered rear rear tires. On the plus side, the grip level remains high and the handling balance is completely tame, with the estate tightening its progressive line at the reduced throttle.
Even though the engine becomes vocal when working hard, the enhancements are good, and passive dampers are actually more comfortable handling damaged surfaces than adaptive settings. There is less body discipline at higher speeds, but it still feels very well tied with the speed for a large enough housing.
There are a few minor complaints. Like the hatchback, throttle and brake pedals too far apart for easy heel-and-foot problems; The optional Performance Package adds a round matching function, but it's sometimes nice to try it for yourself. This new electronic brake booster also makes the middle pedal feel a bit strange under harsh use, it lacks durability but no communication.
Although the outlook is less dynamic, diesel estate still has a lot of ST-ness, thanks to a well-calculated bodykit, dashing 19in wheels and even a smooth rear spoiler. Outside the round counter that turns red just past number five, the interior is quite identical, meaning you get a very supportive and full Recaro chair. It's also as big and useful as other Focus Estate, with plenty of room for rear seat passengers and big baggage-hungry luggage.
Focus ST Estate Ecoblue found itself in a quiet, empty part of the market apart from its only obvious rival, the Volkswagen Golf GTD Estate. The big difference is that since the 'MK7.5' facelift, GTD is now available only with dual-clutch automatic gearboxes, a point of difference that might do a lot to determine preferences as other differences between two rivals so closely match performance and price.
Ford acknowledges that the ST diesel Focus will be less popular than the previous one as buyers switch from ignition compression. But for users with higher mileage, this is still a reasonable choice, if it's less exciting, than Ecoboost.
Ford Focus ST Estate 2.0 Ecoblue specification
Where Nice, France Price £30,595 On sale tbc Engine 2.0-litre, 4cyls, turbocharged, diesel Power 187bhp at 3500rpm Torque 295lb ft at 2000rpm Gearbox Six-speed manual Kerb weight 1585kg Top speed 135mph 0-62mph 7.7sec Fuel economy 58.7mpg (WLTP) CO2 125g/km (WLTP) Rivals Volkswagen Golf GTD Estate