Ford Is Discontinuing the Focus ST, But a More Exciting Model Is on the Horizon | Carscoops

      The Puma Gen-E may become the first electric Ford to earn the ST badge, while the Mustang Mach-E GT seems ready for an even more powerful RS upgrade.

      Ford's executives are keen to bring back the ST and RS variants as part of their electric vehicle offerings.

      A sportier version of the Puma Gen-E will “definitely” arrive, whether in the current series or the future iteration.

      With the impending discontinuation of the Focus ST later this year, Ford will phase out its hot hatch models.

      Although Ford is retiring its hot hatches, it isn't stepping away from performance. With the Fiesta ST already gone and the Focus ST soon to follow, the company is looking towards a new electric future for its performance badges.

      Currently, the ST badge is limited to a handful of models: the Explorer in the US and the Puma and Focus in Europe. The RS nameplate, once a symbol of high-performance Fords, was last seen on the previous-generation Focus RS, which ended production in 2018 with the Heritage Edition.

      Electric performance options are being considered.

      Despite the dwindling number of existing ST and RS models, Ford intends to keep the performance-focused sub-brands active. Jan Herzog, Ford’s European Product Marketing Chief, informed Auto Express that the company “would love an ST or RS variant” for its fully electric vehicles.

      Herzog stated that nothing has been officially announced yet, but he assured that a sportier version of the Puma Gen-E is “definitely coming” in either the current or next generation.

      The Puma Gen-E might spearhead this effort.

      The all-electric Ford Puma Gen-E (on the left) stands alongside the mild-hybrid version.

      The Puma Gen-E is only offered with a single electric motor producing 166 hp (124 kW) and 290 Nm (214 lb-ft) of torque, which is slightly less horsepower but more torque than the mild-hybrid Puma ST. A more powerful variant would likely surpass these figures and include enhanced suspension and chassis components to support the increased performance.

      However, the Puma Gen-E will not hold the title of the most powerful electric Ford available. The Mustang Mach-E GT currently claims that honor, delivering 480 hp (358 kW) through its dual-motor system, along with a sportier suspension and improved brakes. Meanwhile, Ford's electric SUV models based on VW technology, the Capri EV and Explorer E, can reach up to 335 hp (250 kW) in their dual-motor configurations, but they do not offer the same handling and performance upgrades as the Mach-E GT.

      This isn't the first indication that Ford intends to maintain its performance division during the electric age. Last year, Amko Leenarts, Ford of Europe’s design director, mentioned to Autocar that there is “definitely” a future for fast Fords.

      “If you look at Ford Performance, we’re more prominent than ever: in Formula 1, Dakar, WRC, Pikes Peak, and Nascar,” he said. “I can't think of another brand as present in so many areas, which should influence our daily cars. If we're not doing that, we're making the wrong investments. So, it must transition to our regular car lines globally.”

      Currently, there is no set timeline for when the ST or RS badges will return to Ford’s electric vehicle roster. However, when they do arrive, they might face competition from new electric hot hatches such as the Mini JCW EV, future VW GTIs, and Peugeot’s resurrected GTI models.

      The Ford Focus ST (above) will cease production this year, joining the discontinued Fiesta ST (below).