Ford decided to give a seven-speed automatic transmission option to the Focus ST hot-hatch. Ford Focus ST is a sport hatchback available with 2.3-liter 4-cylinder EcoBoost petrol engine with 276 hp and 420 NM of torque. The engine is mated to six-speed manual transmission as standard but from now buyers can order seven-speed automatic.
While the new automatic transmission brings more comfort for the driver but the Focus ST is 0.3 slower than the manual model in 0 to 100 kph sprint. The manual model can reach 100 kph in 5.7 seconds while the number for automatic version is 6 seconds. Top speed for both manual and automatic transmission is electronically limited to 250 kph.
The new automatic transmission benefits paddle shifters on the steering wheels and rotary gear selector on the center console.
Ford also stated that moving from a manual transmission to automatic won’t affect the fuel economy. Fuel consumption for both models is 8.2-liter per 100 km while the CO2 emission for the automatic model has slightly increased from 187 to 188 g/km.
Buyers who care about fuel economy can order a 2.0-liter EcoBlue diesel engine for their Focus ST with 187 hp and 400 NM of torque. The new seven-speed transmission is not available for the diesel model while it can sprint from 0 to 100 kph in 7.6 seconds relying on its six-speed manual transmission.
The price for the Ford Focus ST with an automatic transmission starts from $43,798 which is $1,830 more than the manual model.