Ford Focus and Focus ST premium hatchbacks coming to India in 2021

Recently, it was reported that Ford India will be importing the Ranger Raptor to India, more about which you can read by clicking here. Ford will be able to import 2,500 units per year without homologation. It will be a CBU or Completely Built Unit, due to which the price can rise to up to Rs. 70 lakhs. But it is the first time for the Indian market that we will get a performance-based pick-up truck. However, the Ranger Raptor is not the only product that Ford is considering importing in India. According to Overdrive, Ford has confirmed that they will be bringing the Focus and the Focus ST to India under the same import rules. So, there will be 2,500 units of the Focus and the Focus ST also that will be coming to India.

The Focus is essentially a hatchback, which competes with the Volkswagen Golf in the international market. The Ford Focus is 4,361mm long and has a wheelbase of 2,649mm. So, it is longer than the compact-SUV that are currently on sale in India.

Ford Focus is powered by a 1.0-litre EcoBoost three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that produces 125 PS of max power. There will also be a more powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine available which produces 160 PS of max power. Ford will also be bringing a hot hatch version of the Focus known as the Focus ST. It will be powered by a 2.3-litre Ecoboost petrol engine that churns out 280 PS of max power and a peak torque output of 420 Nm. This is the same engine that you will find on a Mustang Ecoboost. The engine comes mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed automatic gearbox. This hot hatch produces more power than the MG Gloster, which is currently the most powerful full-size SUV in the Indian market.

Also read: Next-gen Skoda Octavia spotted testing in India

Being the top-end trim it will get loads of equipment. It is equipped with LED projector headlamps, LED fog lamps, LED tail lamps, heated outside rearview mirrors, puddle lamps, smart key with push-button to start/stop, wireless charging, ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, electronic parking brake, automatic headlights and wipers and auto-dimming inner rearview mirror. Moreover, there will be adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, seat belt reminders, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, hill launch assist, lane departure warning. Ford offers four driving modes, namely Normal, Slippery, Race Track and Sport. Being the sportiest Focus, Ford offers automatic rev-matching, electronically limited-slip differential, adaptive suspension with Continuously Controlled Damping Technology, twin exhaust tips, Recaro sport seats, aluminium gear knob, metallic foot pedals and a lot of other things.

There are rumours that the Focus ST will be priced around Rs. 45 lakhs. Yes, it is very expensive, but remember, it is a Completely Built Unit. This means that the quality of the hatchback will be a lot better and will be of international spec. The other sporty vehicle that is a CBU unit is the Skoda Octavia RS 245 which is priced at Rs. 36 lakhs ex-showroom. The Octavia is also a CBU unit. However, on paper, it seems that the Focus ST offers a lot more equipment and a lot more power. It is yet to be seen what all features and equipment will Ford bring to our country as features like driving aids not really work properly in our country.

Also read: India-bound next-generation Hyundai Elantra drive video