The Focus ST has been a popular choice among performance Ford fans since we first saw the ‘Focus’ and ‘ST’ tags combine on the ST170 way back in 2002. But it was the enormous tuning potential and loutish ‘ASBO’ character of the Mk2 Focus ST that captured the attention of the masses.
Since then, the third generation, released in 2012, took the ST to new heights. The previous Volvo-sourced five-cylinder engine was replaced by an even more powerful four-cylinder EcoBoost, producing 247bhp and 250lb.ft. And that’s just the start. Tuners and specialists were quick to get in on the act and started developing performance products for the Mk3 ST almost immediately. But, unlike the Mk2, the Mk3 ST was a bit of a slow burner when it came to performance tuning and didn’t really catch on for the first few years.
Thankfully, in recent years, Ford fans now realise just how formidable a well-sorted Mk3 ST really is. With the right upgrades in the right places, the ST250 is not just a match for the much-loved Mk2 ST, it’ll keep up with (and in many cases beat!) its bigger RS-badged brother too. And it’ll do all that without the dreaded RS tax, without worrying about it still being where you parked it at the end of the day,
