Ford's Focus ST Cops Out

Following its movie debut this Summer in the crime thriller, The Sweeney, the Police have taken such a liking to Ford’s all-new ST that they’re now evaluating it for official duties.

The one-off demonstrator has been developed and engineered at Ford Special Vehicle Preparations (SVP) in Earls Colne, Essex and equipped to the latest National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) standards, inside and out, as a fast response traffic vehicle.

While the five-door hot hatch was used by Flying Squad detectives Regan and Carter, the police have this time opted for the more practical estate version.

The car appeared at last month’s National Association of Police Fleet Managers’ Conference and Blue Light Fleet Exhibition (NAPFM) in Peterborough, where it was put into practice demonstrating the car’s crime-fighting talents to police transport managers.

The unmarked version (minus the blues-and-twos and NPIA specified equipment) of the Focus ST Estate is available to members of the criminal fraternity (well, that’s only fair) and members of the public with the same 246bhp 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine capable of reaching 154 mph and 0-62 mph in 6.5 seconds. For customers who wish to be easily spotted, the Focus ST comes in five vibrant colours including Tangerine Scream and Spirit Blue.

Should you wish to pay for one, then you might like to know that the ST Estate retails from £23,095, while the hatchback is priced from £21,995.

Well perhaps not all of these qualify as ‘Fast Fords’, nor were they necessary the first choice by the police in a pursuit – although that Ford Anglia was a demon for chasing stray ducks.

Nonetheless, they’ve all been in active service here on UK roads apart from the 650bhp Ford RS 200, which was only ever a concept model.

Ford RS 200 Police Car.

Ford Escort Cosworth Police Car.