It would seem that the introduction of the Ford Fiesta ST200 has gone down well with the decision-makers at the Blue Oval, because if this is any indication, the Focus ST is heading down the same path – our spy photographers caught this particular Mk3 ST facelift undergoing road trials near the Nurburgring, indicating that something could well be on the cards.
The white and red runner striped example is virtually undisguised, with visible new bits being aerodynamic flics and the addition of a splitter under the front bumper. The five double-spoke wheels are also a different design than the standard ST fitment unit.
The ST facelift has been around since June 2014, and output from the 2.0 litre EcoBoost turbo mill has remained unchanged (250 hp and 340 Nm, with 360 Nm avaiable on overboost) since the pre-facelift C346 variant, leaving it a bit short since the arrival of the swanky Focus RS (350 PS and 440 Nm) on the scene.
In all likelihood, if a sported up, bridging version comes about, it should bump up the output numbers like that seen on the Fiesta ST200, which added 10% more power and 20% more torque over the standard Fiesta ST. In that case, revisions to the 1.6 litre EcoBoost unit’s calibration resulted in 200 PS and 290 Nm, an increase of 15 PS and 30 Nm to the standard ST’s 182 PS and 240 Nm.
The hike won’t be too radical, likely in the region of 25 to 30 horses at best (a la Mountune style), so there’s every possibility that the variant could be known as the Focus ST275 or ST280. If the Fiesta is any indication, then there’ll be very little changes elsewhere – new exterior colour, some internal trim rework, new wheels maybe a revised final drive ratio and of course, the mandatory badging. We’ll see when the time comes.
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Is the focus St scheduled to be launched her ?