It is quite good fun really, and with 0-60 in 5.8 seconds is about as fast off the mark as the S8. I think the 4WD helps there. Probably no match at illegal speeds though. :rolleyes:

The common platform with the Focus shows at times, here it is compared to a Focus RS, which is also 4WD but has an extra 100hp and a manual gearbox:

Having finally read the relevant section of the (online) manual properly I filled her up with "the proper stuff" today for the first time - Shell V-power. :cool:
It was heading home and only 3 miles away (1m of M25 then tiny roads), so now I need an opportunity to see if it makes a difference. :tuttut:
The manual actually says:
+++

Just a little, much later update on this.
It has been run consistently on 98/99 octane fuel since then, mostly Tesco Momentum. :cool:
More recently it's had the "Polestar Optimisation" software upgrade, which mostly increases mid-range engine torque (and power) plus changes some gearbox behaviour to make it more "sprightly" and "sporty"; and there is a Sport mode on the (8-speed auto, not 6-speed mentioned earlier) gearbox anyway if you really want to push it!
In theory fuel consumption is unchanged. But 0-100kph (62mph) is now well under 6 seconds, which is "acceptable". :rolleyes: