The last time we brought you spy photos of a production-ready 2019 Focus ST, the prototype featured different-colored bumpers.



It appears Ford has finally sorted out that detail too, as the upcoming Focus ST hot hatch has been spotted with matching bumpers for the first time.

Basically, what you see in the photos is the finished item and we have to admit it looks much better without the silver bumpers.

You can see for yourself by browsing the photo gallery which includes two black 2019 Focus ST prototypes. One features the matching bumpers and the other still wears the silver parts.

Our spy photographers snapped both vehicles on the roads around the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany. The ST package looks sharp and elegant at the same time, leaving visual room for the more hardcore RS kit that will arrive further down the line.

It looks quite similar to the ST-Line aero kit, but those with a keen eye for detail will spot unique elements. Those include the small diffuser between the two round exhaust pipes, the bigger roof spoiler, the bigger alloys in a new design, and the honeycomb mesh on the upper and lower grilles.

As far as the interior design goes, a new set of spy shots confirms what previous sightings revealed, providing the best look yet at the hot Focus’ cabin. The ST-branded Recaro sports seats are the main highlight of the interior and if they look familiar to you it’s because they’re very similar to those used by the new Fiesta ST.

This spy prototype had the standard seats with an all-fabric upholstery but Ford should offer more expensive optional seats with leather-wrapped side bolsters and maybe Alcantara seating surfaces. The rear seats feature a similar design but they don’t seem to offer the same lateral support as their front counterparts — not to mention they also lack ST branding.

Beyond the new seats, the 2019 Ford Focus ST’s cabin boasts a leather-wrapped, flat-bottomed steering wheel with buttons and shift paddles. The prototype spotted by our photographers features the optional automatic transmission with a selector dial on the center console instead of a traditional gearshift lever. Most likely, the transmission is the same eight-speed torque-converter auto from the regular Focus.

As a reminder, the previous Focus ST featured a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission as an option. Other interior details worth mentioning are the revised instrument cluster with new gauges featuring red dials, and the Sync 3’s 8-inch touchscreen display.

As is customary with ST-badged cars, the Focus ST features a lower and stiffer suspension, as well as beefier brakes. Under the hood, the 2019 Focus ST will replace the previous model’s 2.0-liter turbo-four with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost unit. The latter powers various Ford and Lincoln models, including the current Focus RS and Mustang EcoBoost.

In the new Focus ST, the engine should deliver more power than the outgoing model’s 250 PS (247 hp) but not more than 300 PS (296 hp) to avoid bringing internal competition to the upcoming Focus RS.

*Update: We got fresh pics including interior shots of the new Ford Focus ST. The article has been updated accordingly

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Photo credits: CarPix | S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for Carscoops