Cars

Ford Focus ST Edition debuts with adjustable chassis

By Sagar

Posted on August 25, 2021

Now thissss is a proper hot-hatch.

Ford has revealed the Focus ST Edition for select European markets including the UK, with prices starting at £35,785. The Focus ST Edition is available only in a hatchback bodystyle and boasts upgraded suspension and light-weight wheels for ultimate road and track driving experiences.

The Focus ST Edition rides 10 mm lower than the standard Focus ST, with a further 20 mm adjustment available to the driver. The two-way adjustable coilover suspension from KW Automotive features twin-tube stainless steel damper housings and powder-coated springs with a distinctive Ford Performance Blue finish. Spring rates are said to be up by more than 50% compared with the standard Focus ST. Twelve jounce and 16 rebound settings give Focus ST drivers an even greater degree of control over cornering responses, Ford said.

The lightweight 19-inch alloy wheels are wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres as standard. The wheels are said to reduce unsprung mass by 10% at each corner of the vehicle. As for brakes, the front discs measure 330 mm and the rear 302 mm. The Focus ST Edition also boasts an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) that uses hydraulically activated clutches to redistribute up to 100% of the available torque to the wheel with more traction. It is said to be faster and more precise than a conventional mechanical LSD.

Inside, the Focus ST Edition features part-leather Recaro sports seats as standard with Ford Performance blue stitching. The same stitching can also be found on the gear lever gaiter, centre console knee pads and the ST-branded steering wheel as well.

As for the juicy bits, the Focus ST Edition packs a 2.3-litre 4-cylinder EcoBoost (turbo) petrol engine with 206 kW (280 metric hp) at 5,500 rpm and 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) of torque from 3,000 rpm to 4,000 rpm. Transmission options will be a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic. The official performance figures are as follows: 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds and top speed is 250 km/h (155 mph). There’s a dedicated Track mode as well that is claimed to offer the sharpest response.