Global debut of Ford Focus ST facelift at Goodwood

The facelifted 2015 Ford Focus ST makes its global debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in the United Kingdom, updating it in line with the facelifted regular Focus that was shown earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show.

Besides a refined appearance and uprated kit count, the 2015 vintage ST notably features the debut of a diesel version, with a 2.0-litre TDCi model supplying 182hp @ 3,500rpm and 400Nm @ 2,000 – 2,750rpm, good enough for it to hit a top speed of 217kph and sprint from 0 to 100kph in 8.1 seconds.

Ford highlights strong in-gear acceleration as a key benefit of the diesel engine, with 9.7 seconds needed to accelerate from 80 to 120kph. Fuel consumption is unsurprisingly frugal, rated at 4.4 l/100km on the combined cycle, whilst CO₂ emission is measured at 114 g/km.

The more familiar petrol version continues with the high performance version of the 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine, which pumps out 247hp and 340Nm to deliver a century sprint time of 6.5 seconds whilst consuming fuel at the rate of 6.8 l/100km on the combined cycle (CO₂ – 158 g/km).

Both petrol and diesel versions of the Focus ST feature a 6-speed manual transmission as standard; no automatic or dual clutch options are offered. Auto-Start-Stop is also implemented on both versions, and in the EcoBoost ST, the result is a claimed 6% improvement in fuel economy.

Improvements are also made on the handling front to further sharpen the already potent dynamics of the Focus ST. The basic suspension set up has been reworked with all-new front springs complemented by retuned shock absorbers all-round; rear springs are taken from the previous-generation ST. Electronic driving aids are similarly refined, and engine mountings have been re-engineered to aid smoother delivery of power under hard acceleration.

Appearance of the new ST is subtly altered from the pre-facelift variant, although when examined closely, one can see a resculpted bonnet, slimmer headlamps, and new rectangular foglamps. The trademark twin hexagonal tailpipes are retained, but air inlets and diffuser elements are made more pronounced for a wider more aggressive look. The thinner headlamps (in line with Ford’s current design language) sport a smoked appearance.

Responding to criticism of the current Focus’ cabin being too messy and cluttered, Ford designers admirably went back to the drawing board and reworked the Focus’ interior into a simpler, more intuitive layout. These revisions are now implemented on the ST as well, although familiar ST differentiation touches remain – the three additional gauges, sports steering, satin chrome-topped gear lever, and ST pedals ensure that you don’t mistake the ST for the regular Titanium model.

Order books of the new ST will open in Europe from autumn 2014 with first deliveries scheduled for 2015, pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date. It’s too early to predict when the ST facelift will arrive in Malaysia, but don’t be surprised if it actually comes before the vanilla-flavoured Focus facelift; much will depend on when the FTM plant in Rayong is able to start rolling the new model out. The ST, by virtue of being fully imported from Europe, can be made available here almost as soon as production commences.

KON

Pictures: Official Ford release.