We review the Ford Focus ST from price to economy and all its features

FORD is giving middle-aged dads a bit of ST cred.

You can't keep wearing the same Superdry clothes as your teenager.

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That's not good. You can't keep listening to Radio 1; you can't keep breathing in all the time; and you can't keep those hairy nostrils at bay.

But you CAN get instant respect with the hot new Focus ST, Ford's latest performance car.

Prices start at £22,195 for the five-door hatch — now available as a petrol or diesel — and the estate is£23,295.

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The hatch is only £400 more than the luxury Focus Titanium X (£21,795) but this ST is miles more fun.

It's built for drivers. Typically male drivers aged 38 to 48 but drivers who want sport-tuned suspension, brilliant handling, racy looks — and plenty of poke.

The 250bhp 2-litre EcoBoost petrol sprints to 62mph in 6.5 seconds, 31-62mph in 5.5, and has a 154mph top speed.

The slick six-speed manual has special gear ratios for rapid acceleration yet it's calm and comfortable cruising in sixth.

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But I have to be honest. I had so much fun razzing around with the ESC switched off that I forgot to check the real mpg figures. Sorry.

Ford quote 41.5mpg but that's never going to happen.

But this bad boy does mean well. Auto start/stop has improved fuel efficiency by six per cent and CO2 output is 10g/km lower at 159g/km (£180 road tax).

The new 2-litre diesel is no slouch either. The 185bhp TDCi does 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds, 31-62mph in 6.9 seconds, and 135mph tops — and CO2 emissions of just 110g/km (£20 road tax).

Your next choice is the trim level — ST1, ST2 or ST3.

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All three get Recaro seats, turbo boost, oil pressure and oil temperature gauges, pushbutton start, ST pedals and steering wheel, 18in alloys, rear spoiler, diffuser and twin hexagonal central tailpipes.

The £23,695 ST2 adds LED daytime running lights, dual aircon, heated windscreen and automatic wipers.

The £25,995 ST3 adds cruise control, Ford's SYNC2 8in touchscreen with voice control, privacy glass, rock metallic alloys with red brake callipers and the option of exclusive stealth grey paint.

My test car was Tangerine Scream orange. It looked like a quality ST.

VERDICT: Dad's taxi just got a lot more fun — but hardcore racers should wait for the RS in 2016. We'll be getting a first glimpse of that early next month.

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