Ford confirms $44,690 Focus ST

FORD Australia has confirmed that its new fourth-generation Focus ST will touch down in Australian showrooms in the first quarter of 2020 at $44,690 plus on-road costs for both the six-speed manual and – for the first time in ST – seven-speed automatic.

The pricing represents a jump of about $5000 over the previous iteration, putting the new ST below the Volkswagen Golf GTI, at $46,190, but above Hyundai’s i30 N Performance hatch at $40,490.

Powered by a 206kW/420Nm version of the Blue Oval’s 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder turbocharged engine, the new ST will sit atop the latest Focus range until the next Focus RS lobs at some point.

Although the new ST’s 2.3-litre engine has been detuned compared with similar engines used in other Ford products such as the upcoming 236kW/448Nm 2.3-litre Mustang High Performance, it is still 22kW and 60Nm above the peak power and torque of the superseded Focus ST with its 2.0-litre engine.

The bigger ST engine is also a tad more powerful than the i30 N Performance’s 202kW/353Nm 2.0-litre unit.

It also represents a considerable advantage over the current 2.0-litre Golf’s GTI’s 180kW/370Nm, although the German brand has a 213kW/370Nm upgrade coming in the form of the Golf GTI TCR.

Fed by a twin-scroll turbo, the Focus ST’s engine hits peak power at 5500rpm and top torque at 3000-4000rpm. No performance figures were disclosed, but Ford executives have previously forecast a 0-100km/h dash in under six seconds.

The manual ST gets Mustang-style rev matching, along with a slicker, lighter shift feel, while the automatic – unavailable until now in ST – has paddle shifters.

To be made in Germany, the new ST brings a host of upgrades shared with the latest fourth-generation launched locally early this year.

Bigger inside and more rigid in the body than before on the new C2 platform, the ST gets a five-star safety rating from ANCAP.

Unlike other Focus variants launched to date, the ST steps up with an electronic limited slip differential, launch control and a more sophisticated suspension with continuously variable damping and a fully independent rear end. The ST’s ride height is 10mm lower than the standard Focus.

The new multi-mode drive system allows the driver to select slippery, normal, sport and track modes, with a steering wheel button shortcut directly to sport mode.

The ST now rides on 19-inch machined alloy wheels, fitted with 235/35 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.

The bigger brake discs – 330mm at the front and 302mm at the rear – have red-painted callipers for dramatic effect.

Other exterior visual cues for the ST include a honeycomb front grille, LED headlights, tail-lights, fog lights and daytime running lights, unique front and rear bumpers, side skirts and a rear spoiler.

The exhaust gets dual chrome exhaust tips. other touches include rear privacy glass and heated power-folding exterior mirrors with puddle lamps.

Colour options include Ford Performance Blue and Orange Fury, alongside Frozen White, Magnetic (grey), Race Red, Ruby Red and Shadow Black.

Inside, the ST gets Ford’s latest Sync 3 connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility, as well as wireless smartphone charging, built-in sat-nav and B&O 10-speaker premium audio.

A rear-view camera provides a 180-degree view, while the autonomous braking has pedestrian detection.

Ford Australia president Kay Hart said the Focus ST would join the Fiesta ST in the Ford line-up for 2020, offering a full suite of Ford Performance hot hatches for local enthusiasts.

“Both bring new technology, with the Focus ST building on the innovation and tech leadership of the new-generation Focus, delivering a highly capable and livable performance hatch,” she said.

2019 Ford Focus ST pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs