didn't get the Nav (phone is good enough for me) but the same other wise. Been messing with Sync and MFT tonite. Check out the R&T 3 way comparo (ST, MS3, GTI)article when it comes out, you will be pleasantly surprised!

Here it is: 2013 Ford Focus ST vs. 2012 Volkswagen GTI vs. 2012 Mazdaspeed 3 ? Hot Hatchback Comparison Test ? RoadandTrack.com

.96G on the skidpad is impressive for a FWD car and confirms the "holy crap this car has a ton of grip" feeling I had when I was able to take it on some back roads.

On the acceleration front you can definitely see that it will need a tune to "wake up."

Good article. I saw the tangerine color in the DC auto show abd it was really nice looking.
The .96 skidpad is impressive.

On the power front, here's the dyno sheet for the first SCT tune available for the car:



You can see how power really falls off on the top end. Wouldn't be surprised if the car was faster in the 1/4 mile with short-shifting.

Little baby turbo

Pic of focus st turbo


http://www.bellandbell.co.uk/prod-im...0HAIRDRYER.jpg

I love how they aren't even feeding the baby to the right part :|

Just chillin'.....

https://www.box.com/shared/static/ue...mgkgq7ydn8.jpg

1st guy to run one I saw was a 'Stang mod guy. He shaved like .4 seconds off by short shifting at 6200 and seemed quite surprised. Now he understands that shifting even sooner will make even better numbers (He got a 14.4 quarter first night out) He expects to get very close to 14 flat next time. The MS3 guys have long ago shown short shifting on a non modded speed3 yeilds much better results and they have better top breathing than we do.

That's what I thought. I feel like with seat time and the right shift points the car will run high 13 to low 14 at closer to 100 mph stock. That's how it feels, anyways.

I would like to see what a good driver does with a tune. +20whp and +40wtq and torque truncation eliminated should be a pretty big boost.

At least it drives pretty.

I think they overhype the ST in this article. I mean, it's a great car, but this "raging bargain" had the option packages to push it to 30k. That's against the base level GTI without any toys. And I'd agree about the "excellent" recaros, except my stereotypically American physique makes sitting in them an arduous chore. Calling it the best thing to come out of Wayne MI is a bit of a stretch for me, too.

I like the car. Thought it was cool, handles excellently and has great brakes. I guess I'm just upset with car mag hype more than anything. No debating it's a great car, but it's not the automobile second coming of Christ.

I think they do hype it up a little bit but it definitely deserved to take top spot IMO. It is ridiculous fun. I just got back from driving it and really had a blast. The low end torque and the gobs of grip just make it really fun. And the fact that it feels so well balanced even though it's wrong wheel drive... it's just a very well done car.

They are in no way hyping this car as much as others have been hyped (I'm looking at you FRS/BRZ!).

They're just getting started. Altho from shado's personal test drives, i prolly rank these three in that order as well. But in my mind, all three are close. They're all very fun and practical.