New Ford Focus ST Edition Could Be The Last Hurrah For The Manual Hot Hatch

The Focus is scheduled to be discontinued in 2025, but before its time runs out, Ford is providing enthusiasts with what might be the last send-off for the ICE model: the ST Edition factory tuned for both road and track performance. Available in select European markets, the Focus ST Edition incorporates chassis upgrades from the optional Track Pack including an adjustable coilover suspension, Brembo brakes, and a host of other features for enhanced driving dynamics.More: 2024 Ford Puma Gains Larger Screens, ST Loses Manual And 1.5L Four-PotSimilar to its predecessor, the pre-facelifted Focus ST Edition from 2021, the new model boasts the RS-style Azura Blue shade, complemented by High Gloss Black accents.

It maintains the same multi-spoke 19-inch alloys, which now reduce unsprung mass by 10 percent. However, in a change from the previous model, the wheels are now equipped with Pirelli P Zero Corsa rubber instead of the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires.The interior combines black leather and Alcantara with white stripes and Motion Blue stitching on the bucket seats, steering wheel, and floor mats.

Equipment is quite generous, including the B&O audio system with 10 speakers and a subwoofer, the Driver Assist Pack, and the Winter Pack (heated steering wheel and windshield) as standard.The standout feature of the ST Edition is its two-way adjustable coilover suspension, crafted by KW Automotive and fine-tuned by Ford Performance at the Nürburgring. It is complemented by Brembo brakes at the front axle, a combination previously offered as part of the Track Pack along with the lighter wheels.The suspension features twin-tube stainless steel damper housings and powder-coated springs, which are over 50 percent stiffer than those found on the standard Focus ST.

Additionally, the compact hatch has been lowered by 10 mm (0.4 inches), with the option for further adjustment of ride height by 20 mm (0.8 inches). To assist owners in selecting the optimal combination from the 12 jounce and 16 rebound settings, Ford provides a technical document outlining recommended setups for various driving conditions.There are no upgrades to the turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine, which