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Ford Focus ST Diesel – five reasons why you can now drive one on the business

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Ford Focus ST

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18 March 2015

Ford Focus ST
The Ford Focus ST Diesel is a great addition to an already excellent range

FAST Fords. Always petrol, no?

Ermm…not any more. If you’ve read our review of the Ford Focus ST Diesel you’ll realise that it’s a brilliant addition to the Fast Ford set up.

What’s more it’s shaping up to be an excellent business car proposition.

So, which features do Ford think are going to appeal to SME company car buyers? We spoke to Product Manager, David Calder to find out.

Over to you David…

•    Diesel version dynamically the same as the petrol ST
“I think for a small business user, one thing that sets the diesel version of the Focus ST apart from some of its competitors, is that with exception of the engine, they are exactly the same.
“So from a specification point of view, you’re not compromising. The diesel ST has got all of the styling cues that you get on the petrol version.
“Often you get different trims and exhaust pipes with other fast diesel models – not with the Focus ST.”

Fuel Economy – 50mpg in everyday use

“Obviously for a small fleet user, fuel economy is going to be a big item and ST diesel’s fuel economy is substantially better than the petrol version.
“So the average fuel economy combined of the five-door is 67.3 mpg, but in reality I’d expect drivers to see 50mpg in everyday use, depending how it’s driven. While the petrol is quoted as 41.5mpg, in everyday use I’d expect mid-30’s mpg figures.
“That’s a substantial saving and the Focus ST diesel still feels like the performance car that it is.”

110 g/km CO2 figure

“This helps the VED band and lowers the category of write down allowance as well.
“For company car drivers, this will result in a lower benefit-in-kind figure (BIK) relative to the petrol model.
“If I look at an ST3, the monthly benefit-in-kind for a 40% tax payer on a diesel would be £155, however on a petrol it would be £206. So per month, that’s a significant drop.
“I think up until now, quite understandably, a lot of businesses have avoided the Focus ST. This is because running costs have put them off. I think that concern goes away with the diesel!”

 

Ford Focus ST
Finally the price is right with the ST

Residual Values and a business car lease of £234 a month

“According to initial research working with CAP, the diesel Focus ST is predicted to be worth £400 more than the Volkswagen Golf GTD after three-years 60,000 miles.
“That means 41.5% for the Golf versus 44.2% for the Focus – that’s almost a three point difference and the Focus is cheaper to buy in the first place!
“Further down the line I can see the diesel version of the Focus ST outselling the petrol.
“With such a good RV, it also means Ford Lease can offer highly competitive leasing rates: the ST2 is available for just £234 over a 6×35 term.”

Estate version

Talking to our customers, they’ve got families and many have had a hot hatch in the past. However, their lifestyle has moved on and they now need more practicality.
So, the idea that they can get a hot hatch but with all the capability of an estate really appeals; the diesel ST with the estate in particular, is the perfect combination for that bodystyle.”

Ford Focus ST

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