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It has been a while since the Ford Focus got its global launch. Enthusiasts are eagerly waiting for the go-faster version of the hatch to surface. Interestly, several pictures of the hot hatch surfaced on a private forum. Looking less aggressive and sleeker than its predecessor, the 2019 Focus ST still features a prominent honeycomb mesh grill at the front. Other than a new front and rear bumper, the car also gets new side skirts and gloss black door handles. Inferring from the photos that we saw from Carscoops, one can see an uprated high-performance braking system with red calipers and new wheels. Moving inside, one of the more obvious changes compared to the normal hatch is the hugging Recaro sport seats with ST badge and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with white contrast stitching. Powertrain wise, nothing has been confirmed but the car is likely to use a 2.3-litre EcoBoost four cylinder that should output more than 247bhp in the last ST. There is also no word on when the car will be launched in 2019.

Last week I took some time out to get behind the wheel of the Ford Focus ST. Not the typical and traditional choice for hot-blooded individuals looking for the thrill of speed, the ST has been blazing its path and winning hearts in countries outside of Asia with its stunning looks and scorching performance. Can anyone remember the Ford Escort Cosworth? Well, the ST comes under the same family line. When it comes to hatches, in particular the hot ones, the VW Golf GTI clicks to mind instantly doesn't it? Well fitted interior, comfortable and good quality materials all over, a much acclaimed turbocharged 2.0-litre unit that delivers its power through VW's DSG gearbox, and all tied in by the GTI's aggressive looks and long long line of performance cars dating back to the mid-70s. More notable on the list of electronic systems in the car is the GTI's Dynamic Chassis Control that lets the driver choose between three settings to match his need for some inspired driving or something more towards comfort. The last option being the automatic setting. The Focus ST however, doesn't have any of that. It doesn't have an awesome cabin design upholstered in tact rubber and leather and, unfortunately, with having its name changed from the Escort days, doesn't have a family line of hot blooded cars to call its own either. What it has, however, is a sixer of a manual gearbox, a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine and Ford's legendary front-wheel drive handling prowess. With ESP turned off, the tyre cries its rubber out having the clutch thrown at 3,000 rpm in first...cries a lil more in second and the torque manages to get the tyres chirping a tad in third. The short shifts and perfectly weighted clutch gets your pulse racing as the 5 pot engine's almost V8 burble cheers you on into getting that foot planted even further into the ground. An exhilarating experience for sure....oddly, it felt so much more exciting than driving the Audi R8 V10 at Sepang. Here's the review I did of the ST...a car that rewards its owners each time they're behind the wheel.