People have the wrong idea about this car. It's not a direct competitor for the Renault Megane RS250, Astra OPC nor the VW Scirocco.
It's close but not as hard edged. Think the previous Focus XR5 and you're close to the money though the new ST is a sportier drive and has more sting in the tail. Golf GTi springs to mind but the Ford has a lot more grunt.