The end of an era — or the start of a new one?
Ford’s hot hatch era is winding down. The Fiesta ST is already gone, and the Focus ST will soon follow. But don’t mistake this for Ford abandoning performance altogether. According to top executives, the ST and RS badges — synonymous with Ford’s sportier offerings — could be making a comeback, this time powered by electricity.
Jan Herzog, Ford’s European product marketing chief, recently told Auto Express the company “would love an ST or RS variant” of its electric vehicles, and it sounds like something is already in the works.
Puma Gen-E could lead the charge
Ford’s Puma Gen-E, a compact electric crossover available in Europe, appears to be the frontrunner for the next ST-badged model. While its current iteration puts out 166 horsepower from a single motor, that’s not far off the gas-powered Puma ST’s numbers. A future ST version of the Gen-E would likely pack more power, along with a stiffer suspension and chassis tweaks.
Herzog hinted that a sportier Puma EV is “definitely coming if not on this model but the model after.” That would make it the first new electric Ford to wear the ST badge — a logical move considering the Puma has become a strong seller for Ford in Europe, especially after the company phased out the Fiesta and saw Focus sales decline.
What about the Mustang Mach-E?
In the U.S., the Mach-E GT already fills a similar role. With 480 hp and dual motors, it delivers serious performance. There’s even the Mach-E Rally version aimed at off-road enthusiasts. But the possibility of an RS-badged Mach-E — something even hotter — hasn’t been ruled out.
James Riswick
Still, it’s likely the ST and RS names will be reserved for smaller, more agile vehicles where the branding fits better. Think urban EVs with hot-hatch DNA rather than full-size crossovers.
Fast Fords still matter in an electric world
Ford isn’t alone in this push. Brands like Mini and Peugeot are also looking to inject some fun into their EV lineups, reviving names like JCW and GTI for the electric era.
Ford
“If you look at Ford Performance, we’ve been bigger than ever: Formula 1, Dakar, WRC, Pikes Peak, Nascar,” said Ford’s design director, Amko Leenarts. “I can’t think of another brand that is present everywhere, so that must have an influence on our daily cars. If we’re not doing that, we are making the wrong investments. So it’s got to transition to our normal car lines globally.”
Ford’s ongoing presence in motorsports suggests it still values performance at its core. And with EV tech advancing rapidly, there’s no reason future ST and RS models can’t live up to their gas-powered ancestors.
Final thoughts
Ford may be closing the chapter on its iconic hot hatches, but the story of ST and RS is far from over. Instead of fading into nostalgia, these performance sub-brands look poised to evolve with the times.
While the days of snarling turbo-fours in lightweight hatchbacks may be numbered, electric power offers new opportunities for instant torque, low centers of gravity, and precision tuning. The badge may stay the same, but the performance could reach new heights. And for enthusiasts wondering whether fun-to-drive cars have a place in an electric future, Ford’s message is clear: the thrill isn’t going anywhere. It’s just getting a new power source.