Our spies caught Ford near the Nürburgring today testing a Focus ST prototype with some light aerodynamic mods that we believe could be a warmed up version with more horses under its hood.
If you look at the Focus’ range, you’ll see that there’s a notable power gap between the 250hp FWD ST and the 350hp AWD RS, leaving plenty of room for an intermediate performance model. And let’s not forget that, at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, Ford presented a more powerful and focused version of the Fiesta ST dubbed the ST200.
A similar edition of the Focus ST could receive a 20 to 30hp bump to 270hp or 280hp, in which case, it could adopt an ST270 or ST280 moniker correspondingly, together with a lowered and re-tuned suspension, and faster steering system. For what it’s worth, the Fiesta ST200 also received bigger brakes and a modified final drive ratio.
We’re not sure if the aerodynamic canards and the thin chin spoiler found on the front bumper of this prototype will remain, but some modest visual upgrades, including new wheels, should be included to separate the hatch from the base ST.
Keep a look out for the hotter ST at this year’s Paris Motor Show in October.
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