Ford has released the pricing for its facelifted Focus ST. Receiving a raft of visual updates similar to the facelifted standard car, the latest version of the hot hatch also has a diesel variant for the first time.
Both the petrol and diesel engines are identical, starting at £22,195 for the ST-1 hatch, rising to £27,095 for the ST-3 Estate.
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With the addition of a stop/start system to the 2-litre turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine, economy has increased from 39.2mpg to 41.5 combined, with emissions also shrinking by 11g/km of CO2 to 158g/km. Output and straight line performance remains the same, with 246bhp and 266lb ft of torque enabling a 0-62 dash of 6.5sec and top speed of 154mph.
New to the ST range is the option of a more economical diesel engine, based on the 2-litre TDCi engine found elsewhere in Ford’s range but arriving in a higher 182bhp and 295lb ft of torque state of tune. Economy is rated at 64.2mpg, with CO2 emissions rated at 114g/km. The diesel Focus ST can complete 0-62 in 8.1sec, 0.6sec slower than the VW Golf GTD.
Both engines come mated to the same six-speed manual gearbox (an auto option isn’t available with the ST), whilst the already capable chassis has received attention in the form of improved torque vectoring to increase traction, faster electric steering and an updated ESP system.
Visually, the slimmed headlights and rear lights of the exterior have been carried over from the standard car, whilst redesigned bumpers and the original car’s wide-mouth grille and centre-mounted exhaust tips set the ST apart from the range, adding some visual aggression.
Two new paint colours – a dark grey Stealth and Deep Impact Blue – have also been added to the original car’s Tangerine Scream, Race Red, Panther Black and Frozen White colour options.
Inside, the updated Focus ST has gained a less cluttered dash, utilising an eight-inch touchscreen, which takes place of buttons and also controls the SYNC 2 infotainment system. The steering wheel has also been given a sports style flat-bottom, matching the dash’s sporty boost, oil pressure and water temp gauges.
Other new tech carried over from standard car includes Adaptive Front Lighting – which constantly adjusts to maximise visibility whilst minimising glare to drivers ahead – and Cross Traffic Alert, which warns the driver of potential impacts when reversing towards obstacles approaching from the side. The Active City Stop has been improved too, automatically braking to reduce impact speeds in city traffic at speeds of up to 31mph.
Ford is already accepting orders, ahead of first deliveries in February 2015.
