FORD FOCUS ST TRACK PACK & HONDA CIVIC TYPE R

The Civic Type R has so far seen off all challengers, but will it meet its match in the trackday-friendly Focus ST?

- JAMES TAYLOR

THERE WAS NO QUESTION THE HONDA CIVIC TYPE R NEEDED TO BE a part of TCoty. It's aced every challenge evo has thrown at it, running away with its first group test and putting in a strong showing at eCoty 2023, outscoring (and often outrunning) sports cars, supersaloons and grand tourers alike. Most recently, it won our mega-test of every hot hatch currently on sale (evo 318). And we know from its original launch at Estoril that it's a devastatingly capable car on track, too.

So its presence in this test was a given - much like the 911 GT3 RS, it's an established yardstick against which to measure cars of all genres. But experience also tells us that hot hatches, even ones which are brilliant in isolation, often fade into the background against pure two-seaters and big-horsepower machinery. So we decided to bring another hatchback along for a bit of direct context. And Ford's Focus ST Track Pack was one of the standouts in the track section of 2023's hot hatch shootout at Bedford Autodrome, even if it didn't shine quite so brightly on the road. Where previous time with the Civic has shown it leans towards being a precise - prescriptive, even - tool for the job, the Focus has been a more playful, more boisterous counterpoint. And, as the name suggests, in this trim it is designed to excel on the track.

The £3000 Track Pack option takes the Focus's price to £39,855. Big money for a Focus, though affordable in relation to the Civic's £50,050. The pack comprises adjustable coilover suspension (12 clicks on bump, 16 on rebound), Brembo front brakes with 363mm discs (up 33mm), 19-inch P Zero Corsa tyres on lighter wheels, and black paint for the roof, mirrors, boot spoiler and diffuser.

If you missed out on a Track Pack, you can buy the identically specced ST Edition for... £42,905.