Spec-wise, it's the same story as the three-door, with the grunty 182hp 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine propelling the slightly heavier shell to 100km/h in an identical 6.9 seconds. The ST's superb chassis remains, so if you can tolerate a slightly jiggly ride on rougher roads then the reward will be a huge grin on your face. ST-2 and ST-3 trim levels are available in the same five colours as the existing car, and Ford expects the five-door body to account for 25% of ST sales in Europe.
While purists may bemoan the ongoing shift away from the tradition of three-door hot hatches, there is no denying that this opens up a whole new market for the ST. There's not much else that can match it dynamically for the money, so it's easy to imagine it becoming a common sight alongside the three-door on these shores. There's no official word on Irish pricing just yet, but you can expect a premium of around €1,000 over the current ST-2 starting price of €26,390. Visit www.ford.ie or your nearest dealer for more information.
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