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The Ford Focus ST has been spotted putting in laps at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, signaling the hot hatchback’s arrival in early 2019.

The 2020 Focus ST will go on sale soon after the arrival of the mainstream 2019 Focus next year. It’s expected to trade the old 2.0-liter turbocharged engine in for a 1.5-liter turbo from Ford’s new L Dragon family of three-cylinders. We hear this tiny little three-pot will be making up to 275 hp in the new Focus ST, which is a safe bet considering the latest additions to the segment, the Hyundai i30 N and Veloster N, make that much.

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In addition to making more power, the 1.5-liter is expected to be more efficient and emissions friendly than the 2.0-liter. The engine is also expected to offer single cylinder deactivation for further fuel savings over the outgoing powerplant.

Like the current Focus ST, the next-generation model will also get exclusive front and rear fascias, sportier wheels wrapped in performance tires, beefed up suspension and some ST-branded interior content.

We’re expecting the 2020 Ford Focus ST to debut sometime later this year before going on sale in early 2019.

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