Ford Focus ST500: the lowdown
Ford is a past master of doing limited editions, and there have been any number of Fiesta, Escort and Mondeo specials over the years. Now it’s the turn of the soon-to-be-refreshed Focus hatchback – and specifically the ST hot hatch. Just 500 ST500 models will be made, presumably to shift the outgoing model before the new one arrives this winter. It’s based on the top-range ST3 model, with a number of cosmetic tweaks to make it stand out from the crowd. No day-glo orange paintwork here, either – all the special editions will be metallic black with silver stripes over the bonnet and roof, ‘to echo the livery of the winning GT40 in the 1-2-3 victory at Le Mans in 1966. Right. Under the bonnet is the standard ST’s 222bhp 2.5 turbo, so performance will be as rapid as in the regular car. That means 6.6sec to 62mph and a top speed of 150mph. Additions inside are unique scarlet leather Recaro seats and ST500 badging, while the spec includes xenon lights, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and automatic wipers. The ST500 will set you back £20,495.