New Ford Focus ST Edition is ready for the 'Ring

This is the new Ford Focus ST Edition, which Ford describes as its “most complete hot hatch ever.” Featuring adjustable suspension and bigger brakes, it has been honed for on-track performance at the Nurburgring Nordschleife.

The suspension, supplied by KW Automotive, is 10mm lower than standard at the front and rear of the car in its default setting, and can be wound down by another 20mm for track driving. In addition, there are 12 settings for jounce – upward damper movement – and 16 settings for rebound – the speed with which the damper returns to position.

The suspension settings have been calibrated specifically for the Focus ST Edition by Ford Performance’s engineers. If owners aren’t sure exactly how to set up the suspension, the car comes with a document detailing the recommend settings for “a variety of driving conditions – including specific settings for the Nordschleife.”

The front brakes have also been upgraded with 363mm Brembo discs, which Ford claims provide “powerful and consistent braking lap after lap.” The 19-inch alloy wheels are made using a process called flow forming that retains the material’s strength and increases shock resistance. Yet they save 10% in unsprung mass at each corner. The wheels wear track-ready Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres.

Mechanically, the Focus ST Edition is unchanged, though that’s no real hardship. It’s powered by a 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine turning out 280hp, which gets the car from 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds before topping out at 155mph. It comes with a six-speed manual gearbox – no optional automatic –  a limited-slip differential and is only available in hatchback form.

The fetching shade of Azura Blue pictured here is the only colour option; there’s a smattering of gloss black detailing to the outside and Motion Blue stitching itself, as well. You also get the Driver Assist Pack with its adaptive cruise control and lane centering system; the Winter Pack, which includes a heating steering wheel and windscreen; and a 675-watt Bang & Olufsen stereo.

A similar ‘Edition’ package was made available on the pre-facelift Focus ST about a year before it was replaced by this latest version. The new ST Edition starts the