Ford Focus ST

Ford Focus ST Overview

The all-new fourth-generation Ford Focus ST made its global debut back in early 2019, sporting the same five-door hatchback layout as its predecessor. Based on the Mk 4 Ford Focus, Ford’s Sport Technologies (ST) derivative of the Ford Focus is the second most powerful iteration of the European hot hatch after the Ford Focus RS.

Ford’s 2.3 litre EcoBoost twin-scroll turbocharged mill is the most powerful ever offered for a Focus ST, replacing the outgoing 2.0 litre EcoBoost seen in its predecessor with a 26 PS and 80 Nm jump in performance. It is paired to a six-speed manual box and for the first time, an optional 7-speed automatic transmission.

Some serious engineering tech has been introduced underneath the relatively understated exterior. Sitting 10 mm lower than a regular Ford Focus, the ST features sophisticated feature like the Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) and Electronic Limited Slip Differential to provide superior handling dynamics and stability. The VW Golf GTi has got some work cut out for it.

Ford Focus ST Exterior

At first glance, the Focus ST does not look all that different from the 1.0-litre Focus ST-line, like how a VW Golf R-Line is to a VW Golf GTI. But to the sharp-eyed, the lower stance, ST badging, larger 19-inch wheel and a slightly more elaborate bumper design gave itself away.

Up front, the ST gets a revised gloss-black honeycomb grille and a uniquely styled front bumper with integrated air-curtain inlets for improved aerodynamic performance. The LED headlight features a distinct Thor’s-hammer-like daytime running light design.

The curved bodyline is visually more understated and appears more grown up than the boy-race-ish Mk3 Ford Focus ST. While the latest ST does portray a wider and more aggressive stance thanks to the side skirts and the larger rear spoiler, some may find the exterior too billowy for that taut posture people have come to expect from a hot hatch.

Round the back, the ‘Focus’ inscription is removed, leaving the ST badge lettering on the tailgate. The roof spoiler is larger and more steeply angled, accompanied by a widely spaced horizontal taillight that gives the car a visually wider stance. The tailpipe layout has also been revised, now featuring twin exit tailpipes towards the sides along with a more pronounced rear diffuser design.

Ford Focus ST Dimension

The new Ford Focus ST is 16 mm longer, 155 mm wider and 13 mm lower than its predecessor. Weighing in at 1,534 kg, it is slightly heavier than the Mk 8 VW golf GTI.

Ford Focus ST Interior

General layout of the cabin is largely similar to the run-of-the-mill Mk 4 Ford Focus with few sporty enhancements. A free standing 8.0-inch touchscreen display takes centre stage on the dashboard. Soft touch material is used extensively across the cabin, highlighted by the gloss-black carbon-pattern inlays, and accented with satin chrome elements.

The race inspired RECARO sports seats are finished in Windsor partial leather in Ebody with Metal Grey piping and silver contrast stitching. 

They are supportive yet comfortable enough for everyday use. The grippy leather-wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel, metal-clad pedals, stainless steel scuff plates and the ST-embossed chunky gear knob adds to the sporty character of the interior.

The interior build quality is impeccable, and we expected no less from the German-built car. Thanks also to a larger dimension, the interior feels much roomier with improved head room and knee room. 

Ford Focus ST Features

Standard feature includes SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen display and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The analog Focus ST gauge cluster has gone partially digital, with boost pressure, oil pressure and oil temperature gauges now displayed through the Ford Performance screen on the 4.2-inch TFT colour display in the instrument cluster.

The ST Performance Pack adds launch control (manual), rev matching (manual), gearshift indicator light (manual), ambient interior lighting, additional ‘Track’ drive mode as well as red brake calipers. Also available are the 19-inch Magnenite alloys wrapped in bespoke-spec Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.

Mechanical highlights include Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) and the electronically control Limited Slip Differential (eLSD). The former continuously monitors the vehicle’s suspension and adjusts the individual damping responses to deliver enhanced comfort and driving dynamics, while the latter continuously analyses data from a range of sensors and adjusts the torque split between the driven wheels within milliseconds, improving traction, cornering, and stability.

It also comes equipped with a larger front and rear brake components, featuring a 330 mm disc up front and 302 mm disc at the rear, with dual-piston caliper units. The Electric Brake Booster (EBB) system builds brake pressure faster than a conventional hydraulic system and offers consistent pedal feel across a broader range of operating conditions.

The Focus ST gets a whole host of Advance Driver Assistance System which include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with stop and go (automatic only), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cylist detection, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) and Active Braking, Lane Keeping Aid with Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Warning.

Available with the Convenience Pack are Active Park Assist 1 (manual) and 2 (for automatic), door edge protectors as well as the rear wide-view camera. There’s also Evasive Steering Assist, which helps drivers steer around stopped or slower vehicles to help avoid collisions, traffic sign recognition and head-up display.

Ford Focus ST Driving Performance

Engine

Powering the front wheels is Ford’s 2.3 litre EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine, developing 280 PS and a monstrous 420 Nm of torque. With launch control, the manual version completes the century sprint in a head-snapping 5.7 seconds and the top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). The automatic variant takes 0.3 seconds longer to get to 100 km/h.

Ford’s anti-lag engine technology, also featured on the Ford GT supercar and the F150 Raptor pick-up, allows boost pressure to build faster on demand, offering immediate power delivery and engine response in Sport and Track mode. The performance from the all-aluminium engine may not be quite enough to get the attention of Honda Civic Type R owners, but the 420 Nm of torque it makes, which is 20 Nm more and available from just 3,000rpm, might just do.

Transmission

As usual, the engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission, with few enhancements including a shift-throw reduction of 7% compared to the standard Focus and the inclusion of rev-matching, which briefly ‘blip’ the throttle as the driver engages a lower gear. The system can be deactivated if your heel-and-toe technique is up for the task.

And for the first time, the Focus ST is available with a new 7-speed automatic transmission, featuring steering-mounted paddle shifters and Adaptive Shift Scheduling, which optimises gearshift timings depending on individual driving styles.

Ford Focus ST Ride Comfort

The ST suspension springs cradle its mass 10mm nearer the road than the next sportiest Focus ST-Line. They are 20 percent stiffer at the front axle and 13 percent so at the rear. The car has stiffer anti-roll bars front and rear, too, as well as its own special steering knuckles with stiffened suspension bushes.

With Ford’s sophisticated Continuously Controlled Damping technology, the system continuously monitors vehicle suspension and adjusts individual damping accordingly to deliver enhanced comfort and outstanding driving dynamics.

The electric power-assisted steering, with its hyper-quick 11.6:1 ratio – quicker even than that of a Ferrari 488 GTB, prompts an almost immediate response from the front end, making it one of the most agile, fleet-footed hot hatches in the class.

Ford Focus ST Fuel Consumption

Ford claims a combined fuel consumption (WLTP cycle) of 8.0 L/100 km for the manual variant and 8.2 L/100 Km for the automatic variant.

Ford Focus ST Conclusion

The VW Golf GTI may feel more upmarket on the inside, a Renault Megane GT feels more urgent, or a Civic Type R more explosive. But as it happens, there are elements of all the above in the latest generation Ford Focus ST, making it a prodigious all-rounder.

It is well-equipped, both in terms of performance and everyday practicality. But precisely because it does the day-to-day bit too well, it feels too normal most of the time, and it does not help that it looks pedestrian next to an everyday Ford Focus.