The overall ride height has been lowered by 25mm compared with a cooking Focus and the springs stiffened by 30 per cent front and rear. The tyres are 225/40 R18s riding on 18 x 8in alloys, with 320mm discs on the front and 280mm diameter items on the rear. Kerb weight is average for the class at 1317kg. Electric Orange (pictured here) will be offered as an exterior colour along with the more usual Performance Blue and Panther Black.

The 'basic' ST still comes with Recaro front seats, a six-speed close ratio 'box, and a trio of dashtop dials displaying oil temperature and pressure and turbo boost pressure. For an extra ΂£1000 you can specify Xenon headlamps, ESP traction and stability management and an MP3-compatible CD/radio. Add a further ΂£1000 and you get electric, ten-way adjustable Recaros, full leather trim and a six-CD autochanger.