When I look at the Focus (excluding the SVT Focus), sporty isn't an adjective that immediately comes to mind.

With the introduction of Ford's latest performance sedan, the all-new 2005 Focus ZX4 ST, sporty was bound to make its way into my Focus vocabulary. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

Practical, nice-looking, and affordable, however, are descriptive words that do. With the introduction of Ford's latest performance sedan, the all-new 2005 Focus ZX4 ST, sporty was bound to make its way into my Focus vocabulary. Although new to the lineup, it shares the same redesigned bodywork as its siblings; a new hood, fenders, larger headlamps with reshaped clear lenses, a larger grille with a new crosshatch pattern ringed in chrome, and a new front fascia that incorporates a wide lower air intake and new circular fog lamps (the latter on selected models). Also, a new harder steel alloy is used for the hood, and the plastic fascia is now 11 percent thicker. Exclusive to the sedans are new taillamps and a new rear bumper fascia. Overall, the exterior styling upgrades make the sedan look a little sportier and less frumpy than its predecessor, but it's the ST's engine performance and dynamic handling that spell SPORTY in bold letters all over its bright red paint scheme. As mentioned, the ST comes equipped with a new free revving 2.3-liter, 16-valve, Duratec 23, I-4 engine derived from the

The ST comes equipped with a new free revving 2.3-liter, 16-valve, Duratec 23, I-4 engine. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

same family as the Duratec 20, but its larger displacement and performance-tuned exhaust help it to produce 10 percent more horsepower and 16 percent more torque. Developing 150 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 154 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm, the Focus features a well-endowed engine for its compact class. I found it as responsive when I put my foot on the throttle as its 150 horsepower specs suggest. Harnessing the power is a well-engineered 5-speed manual gearbox. The shifts were short and smooth while the clutch was stiff, but not unpleasant. Unfortunately (fortunately for me though), the ST only comes with the one transmission.