New Ford Focus ST 2019: petrol and diesel to choose your sporty Focus

Ford presents its new Ford Focus ST, the sporty versions of its new compact, available with the 2.3 Ecoboost engine producing 280 CV and with the 2.0 EcoBlue producing 190 CV.

Courtesy of Ford Performance come the ST versions of the new Ford Focus. Sporty variants that add “spice” for those who are not satisfied with the ST Line trim.

After the road test of the Ford Focus range at the international presentation, we are clear that this new Focus ST is going to become one of the most effective “GTIs” in the segment.

“We have applied what we learned in the development of the Ford GT and Focus RS to offer a versatile sporty compact that is unique in its segment,” says Leo Roeks, director of Ford Performance for Europe.

The new Ford Focus ST is more than a Focus in sporty clothing. To begin with, two mechanical versions are offered, available with both body variants, the 5-door Focus and the estate. The most powerful is the 2.3 Ecoboost petrol, with 280 CV of power and 420 Nm of torque. For the more “economy-minded” there is an EcoBlue version with the 2.0 turbodiesel, delivering 190 CV and 400 Nm.

More powerful petrol and diesel engines

Compared with the previous generation, Ford announces a 12 percent increase in power and 17 percent in torque, with more progressive delivery. The transmission offers a six-speed manual gearbox with friction reduced by 7% compared with the other versions.

Customers can opt for the “re-matching” technology debuted on the Ford Mustang as part of an optional Performance Pack for the petrol version. A quick seven-speed automatic gearbox is also available.

On the engines, the 2.3 Ecoboost petrol, with twin-scroll turbocharger with dual inlet and low inertia, delivers its 420 Nm of maximum torque between 3,000 and 4,000 rpm. The 0 to 100 km/h acceleration is covered in under 6 seconds. It uses “anti-lag” technology that we have already seen on the Ford GT, which keeps the throttle butterfly partially open during sporty driving even when the foot is lifted. This keeps the compressor turbine spinning, so there is barely any delay in response when accelerating again.

The EcoBlue is the most powerful turbodiesel engine offered so far in a Ford Focus. Recall that the previous-generation Focus ST stopped at 170 CV, and here it reaches around 190 CV. It also features a low-inertia turbocharger, in this case variable geometry. From 1,500 rpm it delivers 360 Nm of torque, and the 400 Nm are available between 2,000 and 3,000 rpm.

Focus ST 2019: the first Focus with an electronic front differential

These new versions mark the first application on a Ford of an electronic limited-slip differential, called eLSD by Ford, on a front-wheel-drive Focus. The Focus ST also gets for the first time a driving mode selector, allowing a choice between “wet”, “normal” and “sport” programs, and adding a “Track” mode when the Performance Pack is fitted. The petrol version comes as standard with electronically controlled variable damping, CCD.

Of course, specific settings have been chosen for the chassis. With the SLA multi-link rear suspension, the Focus ST receives dampers calibrated 20 percent firmer at the front and 13 percent at the rear axle, while the body height has been lowered by 10 mm. The electric power steering is very quick, up to 15% quicker than the rest of the Focus range, and needs just two turns of the wheel lock to lock.

The eLSD differential for the Focus ST 2.3 Ecoboost, developed by Borg Warner, uses a hydraulically actuated clutch able to limit and redistribute the force reaching the front wheels on slippery surfaces. Up to 100% of the torque can be sent to the wheel with more grip, improving dynamic behaviour when accelerating out of corners.

The EcoBlue versions with the turbodiesel engine do not have this differential, but do have a torque vectoring system, which brakes the inside wheel in a bend to limit understeer.

To round off the setup, the brakes have also been reworked by Ford Performance. The Focus ST uses larger discs, reaching 330 mm with double-piston calipers at the front, and 302 mm at the rear axle.

These ST versions of the Focus are distinguished by a more aggressive look, including larger air intakes, a rear spoiler and twin exhaust outlets plus a rear diffuser. With the Performance Pack, the brake calipers are painted red.

Exclusive body colours are available, such as the distinctive Ford Performance blue, orange, grey, black, red or white. The wheels can be 18 or 19 inches.

And in terms of equipment, naturally, all the driving aids and multimedia systems available in the new generation of the Ford Focus are included. Namely: SYNC 3 connectivity, adaptive cruise control with stop&go function, head-up display instrumentation or Park Assist 2 system, among others.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackFord Focus19 versions · from 31,034 €