Ford looks to have landed a major blow to hot hatch rivals with the announcement that prices for the 250hp Focus ST will start at £21,995.
This price means that, when the ST officially goes on sale on June 1, it will be more than £3,000 cheaper than the lower powered Volkswagen Golf GTI and over £2,500 cheaper than the entry-level Renaultsport Mégane model. In addition to a five-door hatchback the Focus ST will also be available as an estate - from £23,095.
Three trim levels - ST1, ST2 and ST3 - will be offered with standard specification including keyless start, Recaro seats, DAB radio, Bluetooth and 18-inch alloy wheels. The range-topping ST3 model adds heated leather seats, Bi-Xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights and keyless entry. Additional options include grey alloy wheels, red brake calipers and illuminated scuff plates.
Unlike the previous Focus ST, which used a 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine, the new car will be fitted with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit that, while offering 250hp, is also capable of 39.2mpg and 169g/km of CO
2 - an improvement of 20 per cent over its predecessor.
Paul Healy - 28 May 2012
