You’ve seen spyshots of the facelifted third-gen Ford Focus thanks to our diligent spy snappers on the Continent; now it’s time for its hot ST sibling to come into focus. This test mule is a UK car by the looks of it (right-hand drive and ‘GB’ plate).
It seems the refreshed Ford Focus ST also gets the Aston-esque front grille, bringing it in line with the upcoming Focus facelift as well as the latest Mondeo and Fiesta (or is Ford deliberately trying to confuse us here?). The new grille pushes the number plate low into the front bumper (the current Ford Focus ST’s number plate ‘floats‘ in the middle of the grille).
Visual elements such as the instantly-recognisable big wheels, prominent body creases and twin tailpipes that sit in the middle of a more aggressively-styled rear bumper give the game away. This test mule doesn’t seem to be wearing the current ST’s extended roof spoiler, though.
Apart from its face, little else is expected to change from the pre-facelift Focus and Focus ST. The new range should go on sale next year, so we can safely expect Ford to bare all before 2013 is up – perhaps at the Frankfurt show in a few weeks’ time?
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There is little to fault the ST, good performance, decent pricing over here….stick shift available(thats more personnal, but its nice to have stick). But if there is one is the look, sorry Ford fans but it is unacceptably ugly in my eyes, with that big black gaping mouth, even the standard Focus looks much better. But seeing that it still gets that Aston Grille in this, my hopes aren’ t high in the looks to turn my favour, I hate the Aston Grill on Ford’s.
Not sure mate. I personally loves the Aston grille design, but that’s for the Fiesta. The Focus kinda look like a bettle/bug in the photo there, small head big body.
aston martin grille.lol
If I were shopping for a good global hatchback (sorry P1 fans, no sup rimau for me) between the VW Golf, Volvo V40 and the Ford Focus, I’m definitely taking the latter, with its reasonable pricing a major deal-maker.
Now, all they have to give the Focus FL is the Aston grille and replace the button-fest Sony HU dashboard with a visually better-looking and functional large touchscreen navigator and I’m sold.
if they are testing this on the ring, is it safe to assume there will be changes to the drivetrain, suspension, etc? :) (salivating)??
will it be the RS?
Why proton designer can’t come out with something like this?? muscular front grill, nice end look? why???
I think they did try with the Suprima S, but it came out weird. It looks okay in some angle, but bad in others.
I actually think the Gen.2 or Satria Neo has better looks if you look at the whole package.
this car is a blast to drive. somehow the black covers up the hood gap and huge grill that is designed for the FMIC.
the golf gti, which is the main contender has more interior space, sleek design and more boot space. for auto drivers, ST is not an option.
if i have a choice, i wouldve chosen the GTI although it has less power. it is a lil more practical due to the space.
bravo to ford(Europe) for coming up with this wonderful car. really enjoyable yet practical. torque steer can be a little pain though.
im getting 10km/L for spirited city driving which is reasonable for a 252bhp engine. highway would ve been better.