All-new 206kW Ford Focus ST hot hatch revealed

Ford Performance has pulled the drapes off its fourth-generation Ford Focus ST hot hatch, which it claims will be the most agile and responsive Focus ST on road and track ever.

On sale in Europe around mid-2019 but not due for Australian release until 2020, the 2019 Ford Focus ST -- like the rest of the Focus range -- has migrated to the Blue Oval's latest C2 architecture and will be produced in both five-door hatch and wagon forms, but only the hatch will be offered here.

Under the bonnet, the big news is that power is up 12 per cent and torque is up a significant 17 per cent, thanks to the move to the larger-capacity 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol EcoBoost engine as seen in the outgoing Focus RS and Mustang, in this case tuned to deliver 206kW and 420Nm (up from 184kW/345Nm).

The new Focus ST engine features a twin-scroll turbo and anti-lag tech originally developed for the Ford GT supercar to ensure scalpel sharp throttle responses.

Performance is impressive. From standstill the Ford Focus ST can hit 100km/h in less than six seconds, says Ford -- making it more than 0.5sec quicker than the current car.

As well as the petrol version, a more efficient 140kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel will also be offered in Europe -- but not Australia -- and it churns out a punchy 400Nm of torque.

Both engines will be offered with either a six-speed manual gearbox with rev-matching tech or, significantly, a new seven-speed automatic transmission.

Helping to effectively deploy all that torque to the road, both petrol and diesel Focus STs come equipped with an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) -- Ford's first application in a hot hatch -- that enhances traction and is said to enhance cornering and stability.

As well as the eLSD, the fast Focus also gets adaptive dampers and selectable drive modes.

Crucially, unlike the cheapest Focus models, the Focus ST gets independent rear suspension for better handling, body control and improved ride quality.

Sitting 10mm lower than the standard Ford hatch it's based on, the Focus ST is said to have 20 per cent stiffer dampers up front and 13 per cent firmer at the rear.

Making the Ford hatch feel extra agile, engineers have also fitted the Focus ST with a fast steering rack that's claimed to be 15 per cent faster than the standard car, requiring just two turns lock-to-lock.

There's even new electric power steering that features active torque steer reduction.

Finally, the new hardware changes over regular Focus models include a big brake package that is claimed to be up to four times more resistant to brake fade compared to the old Focus ST.

Inside, the Focus ST gets a bespoke instrument cluster that includes digital turbocharger, oil pressure and oil temperature guages. There's even a Ford Performance screen on the 4.2-inch TFT colour instrument display that helps you set the car up for Launch Control for an optimum standing start.

Differing from the standard car's cabin, the Focus ST gets a pair of Recaro front seats with a choice of cloth or leather trim. There are also plenty of ST logos, on the aluminium gear knob, scuff plates, alloy pedals, seats, door cards and centre console.

Externally, Ford's next Focus ST gets different alloy wheels, a revised grilles and real aero aids, like lower wing elements to channel air.

At the rear of the car, air-bending has also dominated the updates with a new angled rear spoiler and a rear diffuser, but not the old car's centrally-mounted rear exhaust box. This time the exhaust outlets have been relocated to either side of the diffuser to allow owners to tow trailers.

Like the rest of the recently launched Focus range, the new Focus ST comes loaded with new driver-assist tech such as adaptive cruise control with lane-keep assist, auto parking and Evasive Steering Assist, which allows the Ford hatch to self-steer around stopped or slower vehicles to avoid a collision.

When the new Ford Focus ST arrives Down Under early next year, it's not known whether it will be more expensive than the discontinued model, which was last priced at a bargain $38,990, making it one of the most affordable small hot hatches.