2015 Ford Focus ST officially revealed at Goodwood

The Goodwood Festival of Speed, held annually on the grounds of Goodwood House in West Sussex, England, is a mecca for speed freaks. Started essentially as a showcase for historic marques, it has ballooned to include all manner of wheeled lunacy, and this year’s event includes the debut of the refreshed 2015 Ford Focus ST.

Ford has restyled the 2015 Focus ST on the outside, giving it a more aggressive design with a lower, wider stance. The refreshed car gets a redesigned hood, rectangular fog lamps, and slimmer headlamps. As part of its appearance and aerodynamics package, the 2015 Ford Focus ST also features a rear diffuser, spoiler and body-colored side skirts in addition to twin-hexagonal centre tailpipes. Ford is also adding some new exterior paint colours, including new stripe options. The 2015 Ford Focus ST will sit on 18-inch alloy wheels, with another 18-inch design featuring red calipers also available.

The refreshed car will be offered in the same ST1, ST2, and ST3 trim levels but the cabin itself has been redesigned to centre more on the driver and cut down on the amount of buttons and switches for a more uncluttered look. The 2015 Focus ST will feature Ford's SYNC 2 connectivity system for the first time, allowing owners to synchronise their mobile phones with the car's eight-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system. Adaptive front lights will also make their first appearance on the 2015 Ford Focus ST – the system adjusts the intensity and angle of the bright bi-xenon headlights according to the car's speed and direction.

Although most changes are cosmetic, the 2015 Ford Focus ST does get some mechanical updates. While the 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine delivering 250PS of power and 365Nm of torque and six-speed manual transmission remain unchanged, Ford Team RS has revised the 2015 Ford Focus ST’s suspension and steering. Suspension updates include new front springs and sportier tuning for the front and rear shocks. Ford claims that the revised suspension will deliver greater responsiveness, agility, and precision. Improved steering feel comes by way of a revised electric power steering system.

The 2015 Ford Focus ST models will go on sale in Europe from early 2015. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date.