Full-Spec Ford Focus ST Facelift Cost As Much As The Base Ford Mustang In Australia

Ford Australia has announced pricing for the 2022 lineup of Ford Performance models, including the recently facelifted Fiesta ST and Focus ST hot hatches alongside the Mustang. Interestingly, the flagship trim of the Focus ST cost almost the same as the entry-level Mustang, with both models sharing the same engine.

More specifically, while the Focus ST, which is the only variant of the facelifted Focus the Australians get, starts from AUD$47,490 ($33,892 US), the most expensive Focus ST X Automatic trim costs AUD$51,990 ($37,102 US). At this price, it closely matches the base-spec Ford Mustang 2.3L High Performance MT Fastback which is listed for AUD$52,590 ($37,528 US).

Watch Also: Get An Up-Close Look At The Facelifted 2022 Ford Focus ST-Line

While the Focus and the Mustang are quite different animals in terms of bodystyle, segment, and character, they have at least one thing in common: the turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. In the Focus ST, the mill produces 276 hp (206 kW / 280 PS) and 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) of torque sending power to the front axle through a seven-speed DCT auto or a six-speed manual with the help of an electronically controlled limited slip differential (eLS).

In the Aussie-spec Mustang, the 2.3-liter engine produces 316 hp (236 kW / 321 PS) and 448 Nm (330 lb-ft) of torque sending power to the rear axle through a 10-speed automatic or a six-speed manual gearbox. The pony car is also available Down Under with an upgraded 5.0-liter V8 in the Mustang GT producing 455 hp (339 kW / 461 PS) and 556 Nm (410 lb-ft) of torque, again available with both the auto and the manual gearbox.

Read Also: 2022 Ford Mustang Gets Blacked-Out Stealth Edition And California Special With Optional GT Performance Package

In terms of equipment, the flagship Ford Focus ST X Automatic comes standard with everything you could ask for including a new 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, heads-up display, heated seats with 14-way power adjustment, Blind Spot Assist, Dynamic Pixel LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, panoramic roof, adaptive sports suspension, and the FordPass Connect features. In fact, the only available option is the metallic paint which costs AUD$650 ($464 US).

The Mustang is also pretty well-equipped, coming standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, 19-inch alloy wheels, auto LED headlights, a 12-speaker B&O sound system, adaptive cruise control, dual-zone climate control, heated and cooled seats, leather upholstery etc. However, the optional equipment can vastly increase pricing if you want goodies like the Magneride suspension (AUD$2,750 / $1,963 US) and the Recaro seats (AUD$3,000 / $2,141 US).

Read Also: Confirmed: Ford Europe Drops Mustang EcoBoost Four-Pot Due To Low Sales, V8 Models Live On

If you live in Australia and want a 5.0-liter Mustang GT, pricing for 2022 starts AUDfrom $65,290 ($46,616 US). The flagship trim level is the newly available California Special starting from AUD$67,290 ($48,045 US) for the manual Fastback and climbing up to AUD$77,990 ($55,685 US) for the automatic Convertible.

The California Special is visually distinguished by the blacked-out honeycomb grille with red badging, side racing stripes, GT/CS stickers, a decorative rear fender scoop, a unique set of five-spoke 19-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, plus a badge in the trunk. Inside, it comes with suede upholstery, red stitching, carbon hex aluminium instrument panel, plus the “GT/CS” logo embossed on the seats.

See Also: Fiesta ST With Subtle Differences Nabbed Testing At The ‘Ring, What Is Ford Up To?

Besides the Focus ST and the Mustang, Ford Australia is also offering the Fiesta ST that was facelifted for 2022. The B-Segment hot hatch, which like its predecessor is the only Fiesta variant available in Australia, is fitted with the turbocharged 1.5-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder engine producing 197 hp (147 kW / 200 PS) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque . Power is sent to the front axle exclusively through a six-speed manual gearbox.

The Australian-spec Fiesta ST comes standard with the Performance Pack that includes a mechanical limited-slip differential and launch control. It also gets A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Ford Performance seats with 12-way adjustment, and Matrix LED headlights with glare-free high beam technology. The single available trim costs AUD$33,490 ($23,887 US), with an extra AUD$500 ($357 US) for the black-painted roof and another AUD$650 ($464 US) for the metallic paint.

In terms of availability, the Fiesta ST will arrive in Australian showrooms in the first quarter of 2022, while the Focus ST and the Mustang will follow in the second quarter of the year. Unfortunately, Aussies don’t seem to get the Puma ST that is available in Europe.