New Focus ST2 & 3 here in August

Arriving in Ireland in August, all-new Focus ST will be available in two series: ST-2 and ST-3, with a choice of petrol or diesel powertrains, in hatchback or wagon bodystyles. Priced from €39,595 (5-door 2.0 litre diesel 190PS), the ST-2 features: ST design 18” alloy wheels; front lower grille, high gloss black; front and rear parking sensors; FordPass Connect; gauges integrated in cluster 4.2” TFT coloured; partial leather Recaro Performance seats.

To share the company of the Focus ST3 demands an initial price from €43,253 (5-door 2.0 litre diesel 190PS). The ST-3 gets the following features in addition to those of ST-2: 19” alloy wheels; painted callipers; fixed full LED headlamps; rear view camera; full leather Recaro seats; power 4-way driver/passenger seats.

The driver and centre console take inspiration from the Ford GT supercar, with the traditional Focus ST gauge cluster showing a digital turbocharger boost pressure, oil pressure and oil temperature gauges now displayed in a bespoke Ford Performance screen on the 4.2-inch, TFT colour instrument display. Launch Control for consistently fast standing starts on track is also delivered via the Performance Pack for 2.3-litre EcoBoost models.

Fords all-new Focus ST builds on the known driving dynamics of the fourth generation Focus, coming in five-door and wagon body styles. Ford’s new C2 architecture gets in addition, specially tuned suspension, braking and up to 12 per cent more power and 17 per cent more torque, courtesy of Ford’s 280PS/400Nm, 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol and 190PS 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engines.

Transmissions & Electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD)

This new Focus ST gets Ford’s first application of an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) for a front-wheel drive vehicle on the EcoBoost engine choice.

Customers can choose a six-speed manual or a new seven-speed automatic transmissions, with Selectable Drive Mode technology also introduced to the Focus ST for the first time. Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) is also standard for five-door EcoBoost variants.

Diesel option

Ford’s 190PS 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine delivers 400 Nm of torque between 2,000 rpm and 3,000 rpm – and 360 Nm from 1,500 rpm, producing 10 per cent more power and more than twice as much torque as the 2.0‑litre Duratec ST petrol engine in the first generation Focus ST.

Six-speed Manual

The Focus ST’s six-speed manual transmission will delight true drivers, delivering smoother, faster downshifts, the technology is accompanied by a shift indicator light, and uses the engine’s electronic control system to briefly “blip” the throttle as a lower gear is selected.  

Seven-speed Auto with Paddle Shift

Later this year, a new seven-speed variant of Ford’s latest intelligent automatic transmission family will complement the sporty 2.3-litre EcoBoost. Gear differentiation is optimised for performance, and Adaptive Shift Scheduling – which assesses individual driving styles to optimise gearshift timings – is enhanced to offer more flexibility and the ability to differentiate between road and track use. Drivers can select gears manually using steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifters.

eLSD technology

Using eLSD technology for the Focus ST 2.3‑litre EcoBoost model, which is incorporated into the transmission), the system uses hydraulically activated clutches to redistribute up to 100 per cent of available engine torque to the wheel with more traction to counteract wheelspin. The result is increased agility and a significant reduction in understeer during acceleration through, and out of, corners.

The Borg Warner-developed technology is faster to deploy and offers greater precision than a traditional mechanical LSD. The system can pre-emptively adjust torque distribution using inputs from powertrain and vehicle dynamics sensors, rather than responding to wheelspin as it occurs, and can apply differential locking gradually for fine-tuning performance.

Torque Vectoring Control

Focus ST 2.0-litre EcoBlue models feature Torque Vectoring Control technology, which improves road holding and reduces understeer by applying brake force to the inside front wheel when cornering.

This all-new Focus ST seeks to steal Ford’s fastest-steering-response crown from the Fiesta ST. The electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) system is 15 per cent faster than the standard Focus, requiring just two turns lock-to-lock. 

New Steering Torque Disturbance Reduction software for EPAS also helps reduce torque steer, making it even easier to deploy with precision the Focus ST’s power and torque via bespoke-specification Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.

Selectable Drive Modes

Selectable Drive Modes allow for adjusting to Slippery/Wet, Normal and Sport demands, while those choosing the Performance Pack get Track Drive Modes that adjust eLSD, CCD, EPAS, throttle mapping, automatic transmission shift scheduling, electronic stability control, electronic sound enhancement (ESE) and climate settings to suit the driving demand. A dedicated “Sport” button on the flat-bottomed steering wheel gives direct access to Sport mode, and an additional “Mode” button allows drivers to quickly scroll through the Drive Mode options.

In addition to the sports steering wheel and Ebony coloured Recaro seats, offered in a choice of leather or partial leather and Miko Dinamica materials, the Focus ST gets an ST-embossed aluminium gear knob and scuff plates; alloy pedals; metallic hexagonal and satin silver decorative elements; and metal grey stitching for the seats, door inserts and centre console soft side pads.

Colour options

Exterior colour options include exclusive Ford Performance Blue and Orange Fury, alongside Frozen White, Magnetic grey, Race Red, Ruby Red and Shadow Black. Bold alloy wheel options include 18-inch Dark Sparkle and Magnetite Matt designs, with a 19-inch wheel also offered in Magnetite Matt.

Ford driver assistance technologies

The Focus ST also comes with a range of Ford driver assistance technologies introduced for the all-new Focus in 2018, including:

• Adaptive Cruise Control now includes Stop & Go, Speed Sign Recognition and Lane-Centring 
• Ford’s Adaptive Front Lighting System with new camera-based predictive curve light and sign-based light that pre-adjust headlamp patterns for improved visibility by monitoring bends in the road and – for the first time in the industry – road signs
• Active Park Assist 2 that operates gear selection, acceleration and braking in addition to steering, to enable fully-automated manoeuvres at the push of a button
• Ford’s first Head-up display to be offered in Europe, helping drivers focus their attention on the road ahead
• Evasive Steering Assist, a segment-first technology that helps drivers steer around stopped or slower vehicles to help avoid collisions

Ford’s SYNC 3

Ford’s SYNC 3 connectivity system allows drivers to control audio, navigation and climate functions plus connected smartphones using simple voice commands supported by an 8-inch colour touchscreen. The system provides Apple CarPlay and Android Auto™ compatibility free of charge, and available FordPass Connect embedded modem technology turns the vehicle into a mobile WiFi hotspot with connectivity for up to 10 devices