| On sale | UK market | Ford Focus ST |
The new Ford Focus ST may stick with the same 222bhp 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine as
the original, but there are plenty of other changes to enhance the hot hatch.
Prime among the updates are changes to the suspension that Ford says sharpens the handling of the ST. The Focus has spent a lot of time at the Nurburgring during its development and can apparently turn in a lap time of 8 minutes 35 seconds.
More powerful brakes are also a result of all that time spent on the world's toughest race track. Every Focus ST now also comes with ESP and traction control as standard, while 18-inch alloy wheels round off the running gear.
Inside, a Ford Power button is used as part of the keyless ignition system, while new Recaro sports seats lend support. A revised dash is used and the higher spec ST-3 models have a Sony stereo with in-dash six-disc CD autochanger.
The new Focus ST goes from 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds and tops out at 150mph. It's on sale from 1 May with prices starting at £18,250.
Alisdair Suttie - 29 Apr 2008