About This Ford Focus ST 2013 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Ford Focus ST 2013 sits on a set of 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch XXR 572 wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose XXR for a reason. This brand delivers serious quality and a design language that turns heads at every car meet. We see hundreds of Ford Focus ST builds come through WheelFront every month, but this one stands out. The combination of the exterior with the XXR 572 creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: XXR 572 on the Ford Focus ST 2013
I walked up to this Focus ST and immediately noticed the stance. Running an 18x8.5 setup at all four corners creates a perfect square footprint for this chassis. The +35 offset pushes the wheels right to the edge of the fenders without looking like a monster truck.
Those XXR 572s clear the factory ST calipers with room to spare. I hate when wheels hide the brakes, but these spokes offer just enough clearance to show off the hardware. You won't need spacers here, which keeps the steering feel tight and responsive.
The hub bore sits perfectly on the Ford platform without any fuss. I watched the owner install them, and they slide right onto the studs like they belong there. Everything feels solid and secure for aggressive daily driving.
Because the car sits on coilovers, the fender gap is effectively dead. We dropped the ride height until the top of the tire kissed the fender liner. It looks mean, but you have to watch out for sharp dips in the road.
The 8.5-inch width is really the sweet spot for the 2013 Focus. It gives the tire a nice, square shoulder that maximizes your contact patch. You get way more mechanical grip through the corners than you would on those skinny factory rollers.
Pay close attention to your inner fender liners if you go this low. I spotted a little rub mark on the plastic during hard cornering. A quick heat gun session on the liner solved the problem instantly.
That barrel lip depth provides just enough dish to catch the light. It adds a layer of depth that flat-faced wheels totally miss. It turns a standard hatchback into something that demands a second look.
What We Recommend for Ford Focus ST 2013 Owners
If you want to replicate this look, stick to the 18x8.5 size range. Going wider often leads to rubbing issues that ruin your day. This size keeps the geometry happy and the handling predictable.
Don't mess around with staggered setups on a front-wheel-drive car. Keep the wheels square so you can rotate your tires properly. It saves you money and keeps the car balanced when you push it hard.
For offsets, keep that +35 to +40 range in your sights. Anything lower than +35 will poke out too far and throw rocks all over your paint. Anything higher might hit the suspension struts on the inside.
A little bit of tire stretch can help with clearance if you plan on slamming the car. I suggest running a 235/40/18 tire for the best balance of grip and aesthetics. It fills the wheel well nicely without looking like a rubber band.
Watch out for cheap lug nuts when you bolt these on. Invest in a quality set of hardened steel lugs to keep those wheels attached. Safety is the most important part of any build, no matter how good it looks.
Style and Build Analysis
The Gunmetal finish on these XXR 572s is a masterstroke against the factory paint. It creates a subtle, industrial contrast that looks refined rather than flashy. It’s the kind of finish that hides brake dust perfectly.
I love the multi-spoke design of the 572. It mimics the aggressive lines of the Focus ST bodywork without looking too busy. The wheels draw your eye in but don't steal the spotlight from the car's overall silhouette.
This car sits with a purposeful, hunkered-down stance. It looks like it wants to attack the next set of twisty roads it sees. The proportions are balanced perfectly between the front and rear axles.
We’ve featured hundreds of ST builds, but this one hits differently. Many people go for black wheels, but Gunmetal adds a metallic sheen that pops in direct sunlight. It feels premium and custom all at once.
The visual weight is distributed perfectly across the chassis. You don't get that weird "sunken" look that plagues stock hatches. It finally looks like the performance machine Ford intended it to be.
Why We Love This Build
This Focus ST stops me in my tracks every time I see it parked at the local meet. The Gunmetal finish reflects the streetlights, giving the car a sophisticated, moody vibe that sets it apart from the crowd. Those wheels fill the arches exactly how they should, making the stock body look wider and more aggressive.
It’s a masterclass in tasteful modifications that actually improve the driving experience. The car feels glued to the tarmac, and every time the sun hits those spokes, the whole build comes alive. It’s the perfect blend of performance and style that turns a daily driver into a proper head-turner.
You need to see this fitment in person to truly appreciate it. It is the definitive blueprint for any Focus ST owner. Build it right and drive it hard.
Full Specs Breakdown
Here is exactly what this owner is running. We break down every detail so you can replicate this build or use it as a starting point for your own setup.
- Car Make & Model: Ford Focus ST 2013
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: XXR 572
- Wheel Size: 18×8.5 / 18×8.5
- Offset: 35 / 35
- Wheel Finish: Gunmetal
- Tires: Achilles ATR Sport 225/40 25.1″x8.9″ / 225/40 25.1″x8.9″
- Suspension: Coilovers
Before You Buy: Fitment Checklist
We talk to Ford Focus ST owners every day. These are the questions we hear most before they pull the trigger on new wheels.
Will 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch wheels fit my Ford Focus ST? Yes, but fitment depends on width, offset, and tire size working together. A wrong offset means rubbing. A wrong tire size means poor handling. Always verify all three.
Do I need to modify my fenders? That depends on your offset and suspension. A conservative offset with stock ride height usually fits without modification. Go aggressive and you may need to roll or pull your fenders.
Can I daily-drive this setup? Absolutely. Thousands of Ford Focus ST owners run 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
