Nice test TT, Im pretty into these Hot Hatches lately and am surprised too about their capablilties, too bad the Golf wasn't fitted with the normal rims, I know somebody who has one and he says its very good at handling and putting its power down, so as you said it probably was the stupid rims
How can the weight figure of the Focus ST be so different as Ford claimed, could it be that they claimed it for the 3-doors while you were driving a 5-door?
Least said I adore the Focus ST, everybody says that it has masses of power and torgue forever, I would have it in that orange colour to understate it even more
But all and all, nice report, thank you for it, and it looks to me that you had a nice experience to add to all your previous experiences