New Ford Focus ST price to jump $6400
Blue Oval hot hatch to be available with manual and automatic transmissionsFord Australia has announced long-awaited pricing for its forthcoming Focus ST hot hatch, which is destined for showrooms early next year.
Days after announcing overdue details for the smaller Fiesta ST, Ford’s Australian arm has confirmed the 2020 Focus ST will be priced from $44,690 plus on-road costs.
The most distinguishing feature of the fourth iteration ST is a choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmissions – the first time a self-shifter has been mated to Ford’s feisty hatch.
The automatic will be a no-cost option on the Australian ST; however, prices have risen by up to $6400 compared with the predecessor, which cost $38,990 when it bowed out mid last year.
Irrespective of transmission, the next-generation ST employs a 2.3-litre turbo-petrol EcoBoost four-cylinder familiar with the outgoing Focus RS and the four-cylinder Mustang.
Power is rated at 206kW and torque at 420Nm (a 22kW/60Nm increase), the ST sending drive as before to the front wheels.
That places it in the thick of the power action, without standing out from the crowd; it’s a dead match for the Renault Megane RS 280, only slightly ahead of the 200kW Peugeot 308 GTi and 202kW Hyundai i30 N, and some way shy of the mighty 228kW doled out by the Honda Civic Type R.
In manual guise, the ST boasts rev-matching technology on downshifts, while the automatic is mated to paddle shifters and a manual mode.
The firepower is matched by 19-inch wheels shod in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber, passive sports suspension and a beefy braking package comprising 330mm front and 302mm rear discs.
The Focus ST has four driver modes – Slippery, Normal, Sport and Track – which tailor the car’s throttle and automatic gearbox mapping, traction control and sound enhancement settings.
Using the same C2 platform as the regular Focus, the ST makes use of a honeycomb front grille, LED headlights and tail lights, sculpted side skirts, dual chrome exhaust tips and rear spoiler to stand out from the pack.
The same platform has liberated additional passenger and cargo space inside, while on the performance and comfort fronts there are embellishments including heated Recaro front sports seats, wireless smartphone charger, push-button start, dual-zone climate control and a flat-bottom leather steering wheel.
The infotainment suite comprises an 8.0-inch SYNC3 multimedia system with satellite navigation, voice activation and Bluetooth connectivity. Apple CarPlay is standard fare, as is a 10-speaker audio system.
Safety takes a key step forward in the latest incarnation: autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring with cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and reversing camera.
In fact, only two options will be available for the Focus ST: prestige paint and a panoramic sunroof for $650 and $2500 respectively.
How much is the 2020 Ford Focus ST?
Six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic -- $44,690 (plus on-road costs)
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