Ford Australia will serve up just 200 examples of its new Focus ST-3, which adds more equipment and increases pricing for the brand’s flagship hot hatch.
The ST-3 is available with an automatic transmission only, priced at $47,990 before on-road costs, making it $3100 more expensive than the standard Focus ST.
For the extra spend though, the ST-3 scores an advanced front lighting system that uses a camera to detect the road ahead to direct the beams of light in a turn.
A panoramic sunroof, sequential LED turn signals, head-up display, premium 10-speaker B&O sound system, and heated and electronically adjustable front Recaro seats are also added to the ST-3, which also retains the rest of the appointments from the base Focus ST.
Carryover equipment extends to aluminium pedals, Ford Performance instrumentation, flat-bottom steering wheel with heating, wireless smartphone charger, keyless entry, adaptive dampers, push-button start and dual-zone climate control.
Multimedia duties are handled by an 8.0-inch Sync 3 touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support, voice controls, satellite navigation and digital radio.
The only option available to the ST-3 is premium paint for $650.
The ST’s 2.3-litre turbo-petrol engine also carries over unchanged, outputting 206kW at 5500rpm and 420Nm from 3000-4000rpm to the front wheels via an electronic limited slip differential.
Though the ST-3 is available exclusively with a seven-speed automatic transmission, the standard ST can also be bought with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Despite the increased price, the 2021 Ford Focus ST-3 remains more affordable than the manual-only 228kW/400Nm Honda Civic Type R ($54,990), 221kW/400Nm Renault Megane RS Trophy (from $53,990) and upcoming eighth-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI ($53,100).
The Ford Focus ST however, is still pricier than the soon-to-be-replaced $41,400 Hyundai i30 N, which is due to be refreshed soon with a more potent 206kW/392Nm 2.0-litre engine and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic option. Pricing for the new model is yet to be revealed.
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