Ford has today launched its new Focus ST at the Goodwood Festival of Speed – it’s the first Focus ST to be available with both diesel and petrol engines.

FORD IS CLAIMING the new Focus ST is the most advanced yet, with new chassis control technologies, suspension and steering – it’s also the first Focus ST to feature both a petrol and diesel engine. Ford says its diesel Focus ST is its most fuel-efficient and the lowest CO2 Ford performance car ever: the 136kW/400Nm 2.0‑litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder hits 0-100km/h in 8.1 seconds, and returns 4.4L/100km and 114 g/km CO₂. The 184kW/360Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost petrol nails 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds and returns 6.8L/100km and 158g/km CO2.

Ford says changes to the suspension include: all-new front springs and new shock absorber tuning at the front and rear, and that the steering has been re-calibrated to handle the more-power drivetrains and sharper suspension settings.

“The new Focus ST delivers an even more sophisticated balance of performance, driving dynamics, refinement and style – the core of Ford’s Sports Technologies DNA,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe. “Even more enjoyable and rewarding to drive and with the choice of diesel power for the first time, the new Focus ST is in a class of its own.”

Featuring slimmer looking headlights, the new Ford Focus ST is more aggressive looking than its predecessor. The updated body-kit includes, body‑coloured side skirts and diffuser elements either side of the twin-hexagonal centre-mounted tailpipes, and a rear roof spoiler. Black lamp bezels, ST badging and new cost-optional 19-inch ST Design alloy wheels round out the exterior updates.

“Focus ST has proved very popular with Ford’s sporty customers and the new model takes that to an even more striking and dramatic level,” said Martin Smith, executive design director, Ford of Europe. “The signature honeycomb upper grille has been re-proportioned, there are new rectangular fog lamps in the outer apertures, and the lower fascia offers a much sharper definition and profile. At the rear, the width of the car is emphasised by a new full-width graphic.”

A new dark grey exterior paint colour called Stealth is introduced exclusively to the Focus ST. Deep Impact Blue also is new to the range that includes Tangerine Scream, Frozen White, Panther Black and Race Red.

Inside, the cabin has been redesigned bringing the Focus ST in line with the rest of the Focus range, featuring a redesigned centre stack, centre console and front door panels, a new heated, flat-bottom steering wheels and the Focus ST traditional bank of gauges on the instrument binnacle showing turbo-boost pressure, oil temperature and oil pressure.

The order books for the new Focus ST open for European buyers later this year. There’s no word yet on pricing or when Australian customers will be able to order a new Focus ST.