All-New Ford Focus ST

Delivering hot-hatchback thrills in a stylish, comfortable and practical family car.

• Ford introduces all-new Focus ST enhanced with advanced sports technologies for best-ever performance and agility in five-door and estate body styles
• Powerful, free-revving powertrains include 280PS, 420Nm, 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol with twin-scroll turbo and anti-lag; 190PS 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel with 400Nm from 2,000rpm
• First Ford front-wheel drive electronic limited-slip differential improves traction and stability. Rev-matching offered for short-shift six-speed manual gearbox. Seven-speed auto will follow
• Selectable Drive Modes a first for Focus ST, adjust features including throttle mapping and fastest Ford electric power-assisted steering to match performance to scenario
• Comfort and driving experience optimised with Recaro sports seats and advanced independent rear suspension configuration with available Continuously Controlled Damping

Responsive power delivery
A new generation of Ford’s 2.3-litre EcoBoost all-aluminium engine uses advanced turbocharging technology to deliver 280PS power at 5,500rpm and 420Nm of torque from 3,000rpm to 4,000rpm, it is also the most free-revving Focus ST engine ever, and delivers 0-62mph acceleration in 5.7 seconds for the five-door model.

Innovative anti-lag technology is introduced to the Focus ST, for immediate power delivery in Sport and Track Drive Modes. Anti‑lag keeps the throttle open when the driver lifts off the accelerator pedal, alleviating the reversal of air flow from the turbocharger to maintain compressor wheel speed and enabling boost pressure to build faster on demand.

The Focus ST 2.3-litre EcoBoost delivers up to 35.7mpg fuel efficiency, and 179g/km CO2 emissions, while the 190PS 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel variant delivers up to 58.8mpg and 125g/km CO2 emissions.

The Ecoblue diesel engine delivers peak power at 3,500rpm and 400Nm of torque between 2,000rpm and 3,000rpm – and 360Nm from 1,500rpm – for immediate and linear acceleration. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 7.6 seconds for the five-door model.

The Focus ST’s six-speed manual transmission enables more urgent gear-changes and provides a sportier feel with a shift-throw reduction of seven per cent, compared with the standard all-new Focus. Ford’s new rev-matching technology that debuted on the new Ford Mustang is also introduced as part of an optional Performance Pack for 2.3-litre EcoBoost manual models.

From later this year, a new seven-speed variant of Ford’s latest intelligent automatic transmission family will complement the rewarding, engaging and sporty 2.3-litre EcoBoost driving experience. Gear differentiation is optimised for performance, and Adaptive Shift Scheduling – which assesses individual driving styles to optimise gearshift timings – is enhanced to offer more flexibility and the ability to differentiate between road and track use. Drivers can select gears manually using steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifters.

Intuitive dynamics enhanced with technology
The new Ford Focus ST is developed to blend B-road fun-to-drive, legitimate track-day performance, and everyday usability better than any vehicle in its class.

The SLA suspension helps optimise the vehicle’s responses to driver inputs without sacrificing comfort. Ford’s sophisticated CCD technology monitors suspension, body, steering and braking inputs every 2 milliseconds to adjust damping responses for outstanding ride quality and driving dynamics. The driving experience is further enhanced using eLSD technology incorporated into the transmission, which results in increased agility and a significant reduction in understeer during acceleration through, and out of, corners.

Focus ST 2.0-litre EcoBlue models feature Torque Vectoring Control technology, which improves road holding and reduces understeer by applying brake force to the inside front wheel when cornering. The electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) system is 15 per cent faster than the standard Focus, requiring just two turns lock-to-lock. New Steering Torque Disturbance Reduction software for EPAS also helps reduce torque steer, making it even easier to deploy with precision the Focus ST’s power and torque via bespoke-specification Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.

The Electric Brake Booster (EBB) further demonstrates its advantages in the Focus ST application, this means the system can both mitigate for changes in braking behaviour experienced during high performance driving, and can adjust the braking dynamics for optimised performance in extreme braking scenarios on track.

In addition, Slippery/Wet, Normal, Sport and – for models equipped with the Performance Pack – Track Drive Modes adjust eLSD, CCD, EPAS, throttle mapping, automatic transmission shift scheduling, electronic stability control, electronic sound enhancement (ESE) and climate settings to suit the driving scenario. A dedicated “Sport” button on the flat-bottomed steering wheel gives direct access to Sport mode, and an additional “Mode” button allows drivers to quickly scroll through the Drive Mode options.

Developed for form and function
Developed to be as comfortable as it is fun-to-drive, the all-new Focus ST exploits the class-leading roominess and exceptional refinement of the standard Focus range, and features an upscale interior that balances everyday practicality and a true sporty driving experience.

In addition to the sports steering wheel and Recaro seats with partial leather and Miko Dinamica materials, the unique Focus ST interior intensifies the sporty atmosphere with an ST-embossed aluminium gear knob and scuff plates; alloy pedals; metallic hexagonal and satin silver decorative elements; and metal grey stitching for the seats, door inserts and centre console soft side pads.

The Focus ST builds on the premium, sporting Focus silhouette with subtle, functional styling changes and unique alloy wheel designs. Revised upper and lower front grille designs are optimised for increased cooling capability, and bold signature lower wing elements channel air in to the air-curtain inlets for improved aerodynamic performance.

A larger, more steeply angled rear roof spoiler increases downforce to support the Focus ST’s driving dynamics. Exterior colour options chosen to emphasise the Focus ST’s dynamic styling include exclusive Ford Performance Blue and Orange Fury, alongside Frozen White, Magnetic grey, Race Red, Ruby Red and Shadow Black. It also comes with Magnetite Matt-finished, 19-inch alloy wheels.

The Focus ST also benefits from the comprehensive range of sophisticated Ford driver assistance technologies introduced for the all-new Focus in 2018. Seamlessly integrated technologies that enable an intuitive, stress-reducing and refined driving experience include:

• Adaptive Cruise Control now enhanced with Stop & Go, Speed Sign Recognition and Lane-Centring for effortlessly negotiating stop-start traffic
• Ford’s Adaptive Front Lighting System with new camera-based predictive curve light and sign-based light that pre-adjust headlamp patterns for improved visibility by monitoring bends in the road and – for the first time in the industry – road signs
• Active Park Assist 2 (auto transmission only) that operates gear selection, acceleration and braking in addition to steering, to enable fully-automated manoeuvres at the push of a button
• Ford’s first Head-up display to be offered in Europe, helping drivers focus their attention on the road ahead
• Evasive Steering Assist, a segment-first technology that helps drivers steer around stopped or slower vehicles to help avoid collisions

Ford’s SYNC 3 connectivity system allows drivers to control audio, navigation and climate functions plus connected smartphones using simple voice commands supported by an 8-inch colour touchscreen. The system provides Apple CarPlay and Android Auto™ compatibility free of charge, and available FordPass Connect embedded modem technology turns the vehicle into a mobile WiFi hotspot with connectivity for up to 10 devices

Also on display at the Festival of Speed is the new Fiesta ST Ford Performance Edition, on sale now at £26,495. Limited to just 600 examples, all in three-door bodystyle, the Ford Performance edition is finished in Deep Orange paint and gains specially-designed Ford Performance parts, including lightweight 18-inch alloy wheels and a Ford Performance coilover suspension pack with stainless steel damper housing and powder-coated Ford Performance Blue springs.