Ford Focus ST On Sale In Australia

Ford's erstwhile hero in the Focus small car range, the XR5 Turbo, has a successor at last - and it wears the badge the XR5 has long worn in the European market.

Yes, the new Focus ST is here at last, a full year after its overseas debut and not a moment too soon.

Priced at $38,290, the ST will initially face off the likes of Renault's tough Megane RS 265, the ageing Mazda3 MPS, the similarly vintage Golf GTI, and its Scirocco R cousin. Next year, it will also battle Opel's Astra OPC.

For buyers, the new Focus ST promises Scirocco R power, at a price point nearly $10,000 below the manual-equipped VW. 

“Keen Australian drivers have a real love of the ‘hot hatch’ genre,” Ford Australia's David Katic said.

“Focus XR5 and Focus RS were tremendously successful vehicles for Ford Australia and carved out a cult following.  The Focus ST not only continues this tradition of hot hatches from Ford, but takes it to a new level.”

Mechanical Package

Powered by Ford's 2.0 litre turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine, the German-built Focus ST delivers 184kW and 340Nm of torque - up to 360Nm with the Overboost function in play.

Compared to its Australian-delivered XR5 Turbo predecessor, that's an additional 20kW of power and 40Nm of twist. And, compared to the Scirocco R, it's a few killerwasps less, but 20Nm more torque. 

Available in five-door form only (although a wagon exists overseas), the Focus ST is matched exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, with power sent to the front wheels.