The Ford Focus ST is back, and the good news is that alongside new looks inside and out, the excellent dynamics remain unchanged. Ford has spent the mid-life nip/tuck money freshening up the visuals and left the chassis and engine alone.

That means the Focus ST still comes with a characterful turbocharged 2.5-litre five-pot producing 222bhp. Think of the Ford Focus ST as a hot hatch with a broader breadth of ability than our current champ, the all-or-nothing Honda Civic Type-R.

And if 222bhp isn't enough for you Ford will show a 90 percent production-ready prototype Focus RS on 22nd July 2008 at the London motor show.

Hang fire. The Ford Focus ST isn’t any different from before?

Dynamically no but that’s no reason to complain. We loved our old long-term ST for the simple fact it seemed perfectly suited to bumpy British B-roads. It was the consummate everyday hot hatch.

Start the Focus ST, via the new transmission tunnel-mounted ‘Ford Power’ button and you’re immediately met with a deep woofle. The downside of five turbocharged cylinders might be poor fuel consumption but as you burble along with a quiet whistle from under the bonnet when you put your foot, or an occasional pop from the exhaust when you lift, you just don’t care.

Click 'Next' below to read more of our Ford Focus ST drive