FOCUS ON PERFORMANCE

Track Pack version of the Focus is the latest fast Ford. We put it through its paces against Hyundai's i30 N hot hatch

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THE Honda Civic Type R is a phenomenal hot hatch. However, with the latest version coming in at a hefty £49,090, it's not exactly the working-class hero that it used to be.

So, the title of the top attainable hot hatch falls to others. A fast Ford has been the go-to blue-collar performance icon for decades, and now Ford reckons it's made one of its best even better with the Focus ST Track Pack.

To see how good it is, we've brought along one of our favourite alternatives.

Hyundai's N division hasn't missed a beat since it burst onto the scene with the i30 N, and we're revisiting that car here because the Korean model has a lot of talent for the Focus to overcome. Our in-depth real-world review will reveal the winner.

 

WHAT IS A REALWORLD ROAD TEST?

THE Auto Express Real-World Road Test subjects the latest cars to our rigorous assessment processes, which are focused on buyers' needs.

We consider the merits of each car, not only the way that it drives, but also every aspect important to owners, from the space inside to the usability of infotainment systems.

Equally importantly, we give you a clearer indication than ever of how much you can expect to pay if you place an order today, thanks to our in-depth number crunching.

Ford Focus ST
MODEL TESTED: Focus ST Track Pack
PRICE: £39,950 : POWERTRAIN: 2.3-litre 4cyl turbo petrol, 276bhp

BUYERS can get behind the wheel of the Focus AE whether the Track Pack, which is available as a £3,000 option, is worthwhile. The Mean Green paint of our test car costs another £825, which brings its total cost to £40,775.