New Ford Focus ST

The facelifted Ford Focus ST makes its global debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK; it’ll come to South Africa.

Described by Ford as the most advanced Focus ST yet, the hot hatch will show off its new chassis control tricks, and tuned suspension and steering at the famous event.

The 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine’s output is unaltered at 184kW/360Nm although fuel efficiency has been improved from 7.2 to 6.8 litres/100km with the addition of auto-start-stop for the first time in an ST.

Furthermore, Focus ST will benefit from a range of tech updates revealed earlier in 2014 for the Focus nameplate, including Sync2 in-car connectivity, and add features such as revised Electronic Torque Vectoring Control for better torque distribution and a new Electronic Transitional Stability function as part of the stability programme that sense.

The sports suspension features all-new front springs, while power delivery under hard acceleration is said to be more refined thanks to this ST’s specially-developed engine mounts.

To go along with its updates beneath the metal, the Focus ST also gains a sportier look with its lower and wider stance, slimmer headlamps and redesigned fog lamps. Twin hexagonal centre tailpipes and a new 19-inch ST Design alloy wheel help to complete the look. Stealth, a new dark grey exterior paint finish, will also be added to the ST’s exclusive colour palette.
The new Focus ST will be launched in South Africa in 2015, when detailed pricing information will also be made available.