The new Ford Focus ST has become the best selling hot hatch in Europe in the last three months, outselling the Golf GTi and Renault Megane Sport.
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But the new Focus ST finally went on sale last summer, and started arriving in Ford’s UK showrooms in the Autumn, as the ST finally hit Europe’s roads.
At a starting price of £21,995, a more aggressive look and decent performance – 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds – the new Focus ST is an appealing performance bargain, even if 250 horses through the front wheels is a big ask.
The appeal on paper of the new Focus ST has also translated in to sales, with Ford reporting that the new Focus ST outsold all other hot hatches in Europe between October and December, racking up sales of 1894 for a 44 per cent share of the market, and turning it in to the top selling hot hatch not just in the UK, but in Denmark, Norway, Finland, Hungary, Switzerland, Sweden and the Netherlands.
Mark de Waard, Ford’s Marketing man, said:
The unrivalled balance of performance and usability has been recognised by some fantastic reviews for the Focus ST.
You really have to drive it yourself to experience the responsiveness of the engine and the fantastic chassis. I am one of a fast-growing group of excited ST drivers.
The most popular colours for the ST were Frozen White (41 per cent), Panther Black (28 per cent) and Tangerine Scream (17 per cent) with 74 per cent of buyers opting for the hatch and 24 per cent for the ST Estate.
It’s a strong start for Ford’s return to the not-quite-hot hatch market, and the new Fiesta ST will help raise Ford’s sporting profile too.
But what we all want to see now is the new Focus RS – a properly hot hatch.
Dave Lawrence says
There’s a lot to like about it, but for some reason it’s a bit… Meh.?
Cars UK says
What we need is the new Focus RS.
Dave Price says
The only reason the Focus ST was the best seller is that its a new car. If the new MK7 GTI had been on sale at the same time instead of the tailend of the MK6 it wouldn’t have happened.
Dteamer says
I really don’t mind that Ford has also made an ST estate (which for me is the pick) but I do wish they’d built a 3-door ST instead of the 5-door.