Prices announced for new Ford Focus ST

Ford has announced prices for the new Ford Focus ST and is taking orders for the car as of today. The new ST starts at £22,195 in entry-level ST1 trim, with both the diesel and petrol models costing the same. It's the first time that the ST range includes a diesel engine, offering buyers the lower running costs associated with diesel engines as well as the sporty performance expected from cars with the ST badge.

Moving up to ST2 trim adds £1,500 to the cost of the car, while range-topping ST3 cars are another £2,300 on top of that, meaning a fully laden Focus ST will set you back at least £25,995. Opting for an estate version of the ST adds £1,100 to the price of all models.

Ford says that improving ‘the entire driving experience’ was the number one objective of Ford Team RS, the European arm of Ford’s Global Performance Vehicle group, when developing the new Focus ST. The new car gets a reworked suspension and revised steering for improved handling, and Ford says it has also improved the smoothness of the engines.

The new 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine produces 183bhp and takes the Focus ST from 0-62mph in 8.1 seconds. The car should be very cheap to run relative to its performance – Ford claims it's capable of 64.2mpg and produces 114g/km of CO2, meaning the car will cost £30 per year to tax.

The more powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine produces 247bhp and is faster from 0-62mph than the diesel as a result, taking 6.5 seconds. Unsurprisingly, economy is worse for the extra pace, with a claimed figure of 41.5mpg and CO2 emissions standing at 158g/km for road tax of £180.

On the outside, Ford has made an effort to give the new Focus ST a little more attitude than the previous model, so it sits lower and wider on the road and features more aggressive bodywork, including the sculpted bonnet and door panels. Revised headlights are slimmer than before and new 19-inch alloy wheels are also available as an option.

Martin Smith, executive design director at Ford Europe, said: “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.”

The new car is offered in the same ST1, ST2, and ST3 trim levels but the cabin itself has been redesigned to centre more on the driver and cut down on the amount of buttons and switches for a more uncluttered look.

Standard equipment on ST1 cars includes 18-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, keyless start, Ford SYNC connectivity, Recaro sports seats and a radio with a 4.2-inch TFT display. ST2 adds to this with partial leather upholstery, LED day running lights, automatic wipers and headlights, and a heated windscreen.

Top-of-the-range ST3 models feature Ford’s SYNC 2 connectivity system, allowing owners to synchronise their mobile phones with an 8-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, which adjust the intensity and angle according to the car’s speed and direction, an alternative alloy wheel design, a Recaro rear bench seat, powerfold door mirrors, cruise control, tinted windows, rear parking sensors and heated front seats.

The new Ford Focus ST is available to order now, with first deliveries scheduled for February 2015.

For reviews of cars in the Ford range, including the new Focus and the outgoing Focus ST, visit Carbuyer’s dedicated Ford reviews page.