New spy photos of a Focus regular riding on stunning steel wheels are also available.
While the Ford Focus was discontinued in North America several years ago, the fourth generation is going (relatively speaking) strong in an otherwise SUV-hungry world. The Mk4 was released a little more than four years ago. It’s now that the Blue Oval is ready to give its compact car lineup a nip.
A new RS was ruled out by increasingly stringent European emissions regulations. However, we can rest assured that the ST will continue to operate for the next few decades. A new set of spy photos shows a prototype with a thinly coated exterior. It appears that the facelifted version will get a brighter green paint. The Focus RS Mk2 was available in a similar shade, called Ultimate Green. It will be interesting to see if the new finish is going to be permanent or if it will be limited-run. Ford UK has just launched the Focus ST Edition. It features a variety of mechanical upgrades but no power boost for its 2.3-liter EcoBoost. However, it still produces 280 hp (209kW) and 420Nm (312 lb-ft). Ford specialists such as Mountune can tune the four-pot up to 360 hp (413 lb.ft) and 560 Nm (413 Lb.ft).
The Focus ST’s eye-catching paint may be hidden under mildly upgraded headlights that have new U-shaped LED daytime running lamps. Although the clusters appear narrower than they were before, camouflage may be tricking us. The taillights at the back have the same shape but slightly updated graphics.
We also received new photos from our spies of a normal Focus riding on small, uncapped steel wheels. The camo is in exactly the same places as the ST, while it partially shows the new front grille design. It features horizontally interconnected slats instead of continuous lines like the non-ST Focus. It’s not the most popular version. The roof-mounted spoiler is also less bold.
All Focus models will be updated, including the sedan, hatchback and wagon versions. The return of the Focus in the USA is unlikely, as the Maverick small pickup truck has been considered its indirect replacement.