I would argue that it is, by the very minimum of the definition, a sports car. But semantics. The Focus ST is a performance oriented version of an economy car, obviously, but compared to other cars I’ve driven, it’s a lot more like driving a mini van.
I’d say that, fundamentally, a sports car is a vehicle where the architecture prioritizes driving dynamics over practical considerations like passenger capacity and cargo space.
Hatchbacks, vans, SUVs, and crossovers have become the default form factor precisely because the “box with a rear hatch” design is so practical for everyday life.
Hot hatches are, first and foremost, practical designs. The performance aspect is secondary.
Meh, I’d say any car where performance is an aspect is a sports car. Rather, any car that is intended for sport, i.e. track and autocross, which the Focus ST is definitely intended for and excels at.
Performance or Motorsports are an aspect with many cars that most people would never consider sports car, though.
Is the AMG G-wagon a sports car? It’s a body on frame SUV with live axle suspension, derived from a utilitarian military truck, but it’s fast.
How about the Toyota Land Cruiser? It is developed with rally raid in mind and excels in stockish form at the low prep classes of the Dakar, but it would be bizarre to call it a sports car. I have a Land Cruiser and it drives like a big ole tank.
The Honda Accord? The larger displacement models are legitimately quick. They do well locally at autocross and were successfully campaigned in a number of touring car championships. The suspension geometry is clearly designed with performance in mind. However, the Accord is a stereotypical four door family sedan. It would be quite odd to call it a sports car.
I would argue that it is, by the very minimum of the definition, a sports car. But semantics. The Focus ST is a performance oriented version of an economy car, obviously, but compared to other cars I’ve driven, it’s a lot more like driving a mini van.
I’d say that, fundamentally, a sports car is a vehicle where the architecture prioritizes driving dynamics over practical considerations like passenger capacity and cargo space.
Hatchbacks, vans, SUVs, and crossovers have become the default form factor precisely because the “box with a rear hatch” design is so practical for everyday life.
Hot hatches are, first and foremost, practical designs. The performance aspect is secondary.
Meh, I’d say any car where performance is an aspect is a sports car. Rather, any car that is intended for sport, i.e. track and autocross, which the Focus ST is definitely intended for and excels at.
Performance or Motorsports are an aspect with many cars that most people would never consider sports car, though.
Is the AMG G-wagon a sports car? It’s a body on frame SUV with live axle suspension, derived from a utilitarian military truck, but it’s fast.
How about the Toyota Land Cruiser? It is developed with rally raid in mind and excels in stockish form at the low prep classes of the Dakar, but it would be bizarre to call it a sports car. I have a Land Cruiser and it drives like a big ole tank.
The Honda Accord? The larger displacement models are legitimately quick. They do well locally at autocross and were successfully campaigned in a number of touring car championships. The suspension geometry is clearly designed with performance in mind. However, the Accord is a stereotypical four door family sedan. It would be quite odd to call it a sports car.