As expected, Ford has revealed the 2015 Focus ST at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the United Kingdom. The 2015 ST delivers a revision to the hot-hatch, with improved dynamics, an updated suspension, revised styling, and a more sophisticated cabin.
Right off the bat, refinements to the freshened 2015 Focus ST include:
- Redesigned, sportier front and rear fascias
- HID headlamps standard with ST2 and ST3 trim levels with Recaro seats
- Standard LED signature lighting
- 18-inch Rado Gray alloy wheels standard
- Available new 18-inch alloy wheel design with red painted brake calipers
- New exterior color, Magnetic Metallic, replaces Ingot Silver
- Two over-the-top stripe choices now available – Satin Black and High Gloss Red, stripes come with matching mirror skull caps
- Redesigned instrument panel center stack with improved climate controls and new finishes
- New center console with more storage space including a new media bin with USB smart charging port, which charges two times faster than previous USB port
- Updated front door storage with cupholders
- New flat-bottom steering wheel to provide extra leg clearance for the driver
- Available heated steering wheel
- Available eight-way power driver’s seat
- Revised steering for improved feel
- Rear view camera standard
Improved Driving Experience
The foremost objective for Ford’s Team RS, the award-winning European arm of Ford’s Global Performance Vehicle group, was to improve the entire driving experience of the Focus ST. The group introduced a sports suspension with all-new front springs and sportier shock absorber tuning in the front and rear to deliver even sharper dynamic performance. In addition, the electric power-assisted steering has also been revised to provide the Focus ST driver with improved steering feel.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 EcoBoost continues to deliver 252 horsepower at 5,500 RPM and 270 pound-feet of torque at 2,500 RPM while being exclusively paired with a six-speed manual transmission with a performance-oriented, short-throw shifter. The gear ratios, exclusive to ST, deliver rapid acceleration in lower gears and comfortable cruising at speed.
Revised Exterior Design
The Focus ST benefits from the revised styling seen on the 2015 Focus, delivering sportier and more aggressive styling than the pre-facelift model with a stance that’s lower and wider. Among the changes is a new dynamically-sculpted hood, slimmer headlamps and rectangular fog lamps, front and rear bumpers that are deeper than before, a honeycomb upper grille that’s higher and more upright, and a lower grille that’s larger.
The ST’s sports body kit continues to feature body‑colored side skirts and diffuser elements on either side of the exhaust, and a rear roof spoiler optimized for aerodynamic performance. The new Focus ST models feature twin-hexagonal center tailpipes.
Updated Cabin
Ford has also given the revised ST’s interior a more intuitive layout with significantly fewer buttons on the center stack. A new, flat-base sports steering wheel with a soft-feel leather covered rim, a satin chrome-topped gear lever and ST pedals deliver the interior ST drivers expect.
The ST continues to feature its hallmark bank of three gauges situated in a central instrument pod displaying turbocharger boost pressure, oil temperature, and oil pressure information. The satin chrome door grab handles and aluminum scuff plates with illumination add extra touches of refinement, while the sport seats developed jointly by Ford and Recaro provide the bolstering and support needed to fully enjoy the ST driving experience.
The new Focus ST will be available in ST1, ST2 and ST3 trim levels. The seats on the ST1 trim feature gray/charcoal/anthracite black fabric, those on the ST2 add partial leather with base and side bolsters available in four colors (Tangerine Scream, Performance Blue, Smoke Storm or Race Red), and ST3 seats have full charcoal black leather finish.
No Comments yet