Ford Focus ST M330 | Spotted

The best fast Fords are always better for a trip to Essex - so what better ST than Mountune's own?

By Matt Bird / Thursday, 13 August 2026 / Loading comments

Ask people about the fast Ford’s glory days and many will point to rear-wheel drive Escorts, RS-badged hot hatches, Sierra and ST saloons, that sort of thing. But there was a wonderful period much more recently as well, back in the time of the Mk7 Fiesta ST and Mk3 Focus ST - and the Mountune upgrades that retained their factory warranty.

It really was the best of both worlds, stout turbocharged engines brought to life with the manufacturer’s approval. For just a few hundred quid, too. It was a mark of how highly regarded Mountune’s work was; the M215 and M275 upgrades looked modest on paper, but they ensured a rambunctious Fiesta ST felt even cheekier, and a burly Focus even more barrel-chested.

Then the collaboration ended (Mountune of course continued to warranty its parts), and the latest generation of cars became pricier. Something of the happy-go-lucky appeal had been lost. The upside, of course, was that Mk8 Fiesta ST and Mk4 Focus were even better sorted hot hatches out of the box - giving Mountune an even better base to work from. ‘For less than two per cent of the £32k asking price, you can take the Focus ST from first-rate to fantastic’ was our verdict of an M330 in 2020.

The quality of the most recent Focus ST tends to be forgotten, for the simple fact that it was easy to be distracted by everything else going on. There wasn’t going to be an RS, for one thing, and the demise of all Fiestas dominated Ford headlines for yonks. Every hot hatch discussion was about how great the Civic was, or how unresolved the Mk8 Golf was.

But the Focus ST, if not perfect, was huge fun: taking the muscular engine and playful chassis formula that has characterised the car for so long, then refining the details. It kept on improving, too, with cars like the Edition and the Mk4.5 you see here. Only this isn’t the average Mean Green Focus ST. It has benefitted from a host of Mountune parts - the 330hp calibration, the lowering springs, the exhaust, the must-have mats - and is actually being sold by the Essex-based tuner. This was the Focus ST used by Mountune to develop its latest range of bits, which is quite a cool little claim to fame.

And this is no high-mile hack, either, boasting just 2,500 miles since last year and looking like it’s just left the showroom. For £33,000, too, which means it isn’t even the most expensive Focus ST in the classifieds. Perhaps an ideal spec would have the Edition wheels and suspension, but they could perhaps be sourced at a later date. As it stands, Mountune’s Focus ST boasts plenty of the desirable extras on a forgotten gem of a hot hatch. Don’t buy anything C-segment shaped without considering this.

SPECIFICATION | FORD FOCUS ST M330

Engine: 2,261cc, turbocharged four-cyl
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 330@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 380@3,000rpm
MPG: 35.7 (standard car)
CO2: 179g/km (standard car)
Year registered: 2025
Recorded mileage: 2,500
Price new: £36,410 (2022, before options)
Yours for: £33,000