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First drive: 2013 Ford Focus ST

WASHINGTON, D.C. (MarketWatch) -- I once worked for a guy who drilled into my head that, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression."

Ford's Focus ST performance car doesn't need a second chance. It was very impressive in my first meeting, ahead of its debut in U.S. dealers' showrooms in mid-September.

The hatchback Focus should prove a major challenger to the Volkswagen GTI (VLKAY) (VOW) , Honda Civic Si (HMC) (7267) .

Under the hood is a reworked 2-liter, 252-horsepower, 16-valve turbocharged four, with 270 lb-ft of torque -- available at any sane speed with just a flick of your right ankle -- connected to a six-speed manual transmission. Ford claims peak torque comes between 2,000 and 4,500 rpm and that coincides with my feeling during a drive.

It was a no-brainer to merge into fast-moving Washington Beltway traffic and, with the beefed up suspension, a joy on ramps. On the highway, the ST was capable of settling down for a long cruise in a fairly quiet cabin or to growl nicely when a quick pulse of power was needed.

The 2013 Focus ST is the first performance vehicle Ford has produced under CEO's Alan Mulally's "One Ford" program, where a number of models world-wide share a platform. The Focus is one of a number of models sharing the global platform for compact cars.

Ford took the basic Focus and added high-pressure direct injection, low-inertia turbocharging, and twin independent-variable camshaft timing to create a car that will hit 60 mph from a standing start in about 6.5 seconds, and top out at 155 mph. Compare that to the VW GTI's just-over 6-second time to the same speed and the Si's just under 7-second performance.

Also added to the ST are high-performance brakes, a more solid body structure and tightened-up suspension parts. Yet the ride doesn't suffer much, and the ST can also be a daily commuter car.

Ford also adds three gauges in the middle of the upper dash panel for turbo boost, oil pressure and oil temperature. The instrument cluster is easy to read. For those with long arms, the shifter could be moved forward a touch.

Inside, the most noticeable change is a pair of Recaro bucket seats that hold you in place. It took just a few seconds to gain a very comfortable driving position but the manual seat adjustments were too close to the door panel. Step up to the ST3 package if you prefer power seat controls. In the middle model of the three, the buckets have cloth inserts. The inserts are leather in the ST3.

Special stitching was a nice touch, but some of the materials used seemed cheap, such as the interior roof liner.

The ST gains styling touches that make it look like a high-performance car, but I would pass on some of the gaudier paint such as "Tangerine Scream."

The ST will be more than competitive in price with its rivals. A base ST will go out the door for $24,495, and that's less dough than a Mazdaspeed3 and the VW GTI. Upgrade to the ST2 and your $2,385 more brings a 10-speaker audio system, the highly criticized My Touch system with 8-inch screen, and dual zone climate control, among other goodies. Those who dig the top of the line can spend $4,495 more than base auto for the ST3 and get all of the ST2 stuff plus HID headlights, cornering lamps, heated mirrors, etc., for about $28,990, depending on other options.

The EPA has just rated the ST at 32 mpg on the highway and 23 in the city. Ford recommends premium gasoline for the turbo.

Solidly built, lots of fun to drive, and very comfortable, the ST confirms Ford as player in the hot hatch crowd. I very much look forward to more time in the driver's seat later this year.

Notes

Ford's Focus ST brought to mind the great strides that engineers have made with the four-cylinder engine. It is taking the place of V-6s, and they are replacing V-8s.

BMW (BMW) has a new 3-series wagon coming to the U.S. next spring. It will be slightly larger than the current model, with a twin-turbo four and an eight-speed automatic transmission standard.

Car magazine has a remembrance of the legendary Jag XKE by the one and only LJK Setright.

Coming up: Fun times with a Mini Cooper S roadster (it's a true sports car), an Audi S5 (NSU) in the Rockies, a Mazda3 Touring(MZDAY) (7261) and a Shelby Mustang.

Vehicles tested for this column are on loan from the auto companies through local distributors.