2021 Ford Focus ST-3 price and specs: Fully-loaded hot hatch arrives in limited numbers

The 2021 Ford Focus ST-3 has been announced for Australia, adding a selection of luxury features to the Blue Oval's flagship hot hatch.

Priced from $47,990 before on-road costs, just 200 examples of the Focus ST-3 will reach Ford showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2021 (October to December inclusive), all exclusively fitting a seven-speed automatic transmission to the hot hatch's 2.3-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, with no manual on offer.

Additional equipment over the 'standard' Focus ST includes adaptive LED headlights with cornering functionality, electrically-adjustable and heated Recaro front sports seats trimmed in leather and suede, a head-up display, panoramic glass sunroof, and a 10-speaker B&O Play sound system.

MORE: 2021 Ford Focus ST price and specs: Hot hatch gains tech, loses equipment

It also features blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, which will be reintroduced on both Focus ST-1 and ST-3 models from later in 2021.

Readers will note the heated front seats, 10-speaker sound system, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were all stripped from the regular, $44,890 before on-road costs Focus ST late in 2020, though a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and expanded adaptive cruise control (now offered across the range) were added to negate a price cut.

Standard equipment on the ST-3 is otherwise unchanged from its regular counterpart, including an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and satellite navigation, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, push-button start, wireless phone charging, heated steering wheel, and metallic pedals.

Standard safety features include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control (with stop-and-go), rear parking sensors, and a 180-degree reversing camera.

MORE: 2020 Ford Focus ST pricing and specs: $44,690 for new hot hatch

Power continues to be sourced from a 206kW/420Nm 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, driving the front wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission – with the ST-3 not available with a manual.

Standard performance features include 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tyres (rather than Michelins), a limited-slip front differential, adaptive dampers, 330mm front and 302mm ventilated brake discs, three drive modes, and launch control.

The 2021 Ford Focus ST-3 will reach local showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2021 (October to December inclusive).

Note: All prices exclude on-road costs.

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