Automobile Blog

Ford Focus ST

The order books are now open for Ford’s all-new hot hatch, the Focus ST. It arrives in UK showrooms in January next year to take on key rivals, the VW Golf GTI and Vauxhall Astra VXR.

The new model is powered by a modified version of the five-cylinder 2.5 litre Volvo engine, producing 222 bhp, enough to provide a 0-62 mph time of 6.5 seconds. The starting price is Pound Sterling 17,495 with standard equipment including Recaro seats, 18 inch alloy wheels and an additional instrument pod containing a turbo boost pressure gauge, and oil temperature and pressure dials. There are two further trim levels. The Pound Sterling 18,495 ST 2 adds an MP3-compatible Sony CD/radio system, Xenon Headlamps, heated front windscreen and ESP traction and stability management. The Pound Sterling 19,495 ST 3 also includes electric 10-way adjustable Recaro front seats, full leather trim and a Sony six-CD autochanger.

Ford plans to manufacture more than 3,600 new Focus ST vehicles through this year. The Focus ST will share the same assembly line as the regular Ford Focus and the Focus C-MAX, both produced in Saarlouis.

It’s great news for customers who now know they can buy a highly-equipped Focus ST-2 for less than a GTi or VXR.