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Ford’s latest Focus ST has gone on sale with a diesel in the line-up for the first time.
Prices for the performance model range from £22,195 to £27,095, with the petrol and diesel engines matched in price.
The first cars are expected on UK roads in February 2015 – in total 12 versions are on offer in both hatch and estate body styles.
The new diesel is the 185PS TDCi 2.0-litre unit, with CO2 emissions of 110g/km. It sits alongside the 2-litre petrol engine of 250PS, which has had its CO2 emissions shaved from 169 to 159g/km.
Both engines also come with start-stop for the first time, which improves the petrol engine’s fuel economy by six per cent. A six-speed manual gearbox is fitted as standard.
Fitted in the hatchback version the petrol unit accelerates from 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds, the diesel in 8.1. Terminal speeds are 154 and 135mph respectively.
The car is offered in ST-1, ST-2 and ST-3 trim levels. Differences on all versions compared to the stock Focus include a full ST body styling kit, tuned suspension and 18-inch alloy wheels bespoke to the ST range.
ST models make the most of the latest Focus styling to appear sportier and more aggressive than their predecessors with a lower, wider stance, a new more sculpted bonnet, slimmer headlamps and rectangular fog lamps.
Inside the car the dash boasts an additional bank of three gauges, displaying turbocharger boost pressure, oil temperature and oil pressure information. A new, flat-base sports steering wheel with a soft-feel leather covered rim is included alongside a satin chrome-topped gear lever and ST pedals.
Sports seats developed with seat specialist Recaro, satin chrome door grab handles and illuminated aluminium scuff plates complete the interior.
The ST-2 adds LED daytime running lights as standard, while other additions include partial leather in the seats, a heated windscreen, LED daytime running lights, automatic headlights and rain-sensitive wipers.
The range-topping ST-3 is fitted with a range of extras including ‘Rock Metallic’ alloy wheels with red brake calipers, bi-xenon headlamps, heated power-adjustable seats, illuminated scuff plates, privacy glass, Ford’s Sync 2 infotainment system with an eight-inch touchscreen and cruise control with a speed limiter.
Andrew Charman
