Claimed to strike the ideal balance between “nimble hot-hatchback thrills” with the “stylish” and “practical” benefits of “small family car”, the third generation Focus to wear the famed Sport Technology badge is also the most powerful to date, and rates as the first model to feature Ford’s new electronic limited-slip differential.
Like the standard Focus, the ST rides on the C2 platform, but which has been extensively retuned to make it the “most responsive and agile Focus ST on [the] road and track”. Centre to this is the aforementioned differential known as eLSD developed by Borg-Warner, which uses hydraulically activated clutches to send as much to 100% of the available power to the wheels that has the most traction.
Further equipped with Torque Vectoring Control, revised electric power steering improved by 15% over that of the standard Focus, dual exhaust outlets and larger front and rear compound brakes with the discs of the red dual-calipers at the front measuring 330m x 27mm and the rears 302mm x 11mm, the ST also comes with the Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) system fitted to higher spec, cooking models, but which is said to align better with the independent rear suspension in adjusting damping response by up to 20% at the front and 13% at the rear, while improving road holding and comfort despite a 10mm drop in ride height compared to normal models.
As part of the optional Performance Pack, the ST features a four mode selector; Normal, Sport, Slippery/Wet and Track that adjusts the engine, gearbox and electronic stability control, while also adding a Launch Control function and a bespoke readout inside the 4.2-inch TFT instrument cluster display that shows boost pressure and oil temperature.
Speaking of the interior, the ST comes outfitted with Ebony Recaro sport seats trimmed in cloth, leather, partial leather or Miko Dinamic micro-fibres, and further adds an ST badged sports steering wheel, alloy pedals, an ST branded aluminium gear knob and scuff plates, satin silver inserts and metal grey stitching on the seats, door cards and centre console.
Rolling on 18-inch Dark Sparkle alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber with 19-inches being optional, external changes to the ST consists of a redesigned front facia made up of a honeycomb grille and wider air vents, a new roof spoiler, revised diffuser and seven colours; Frozen White, Shadow Black, Magnetic Grey, Ruby Red, Race Red, Orange Fury and the exclusive Ford Performance Blue.
As alluded to on a number of occasions, the biggest change to the ST comes underneath the bonnet where Ford has replaced the 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine with the 2.3-litre from the Mustang, albeit not with the 184kW as initially reported. Instead, the motor punches out 206kW/420Nm, allowing the ST to race from 0-100km/h in “under” six seconds. No top speed figure was announced.
Also new on the drivetrain front is the retention of the six-speed manual gearbox, now with a rev-matching function as part of the Performance Pack, as well as the first-time option of a brand-new seven-speed automatic ‘box and not the previously speculated eight-speed unit, which comes with paddle shifters and Adaptive Shift Scheduling that adjust to the driver’s unique preference.
Like the previous ST, buyers will also have the option of a diesel model powered by the 2.0-litre EcoBlue motor that produces 140kW/400Nm, which is said to be most powerful oil-burning Focus ever made. Only available with the manual ‘box, no performance figures for this model has been revealed.
Set to go on sale in the European summer in both hatch and estate bodystyles, the ST remains an unknown entity for local market introduction, following Ford’s announcement last year that the Fiesta ST has not been approved for South Africa.
