Ford Focus MK2 ST 225: Aftermarket Seat Fitting & Frame Options Guide
The Ford Focus MK2 ST 225 is one of the UK’s most loved hot hatches—well-known for its turbocharged 5-cylinder engine, eager chassis, and great tuning potential. Whether you’re building a fast-road machine or a track-day weapon, upgrading the factory seats is one of the most rewarding and functional improvements you can make. It not only boosts your driving position and support in corners, but also transforms the cabin feel with a sportier, more purposeful look.
At GSM Performance, we stock a wide selection of bucket seats, reclining sport seats, and fitting hardware specifically tailored for the ST 225. This blog breaks down the seat options that work best with the Focus’s interior space and outlines the fitting equipment you’ll need to complete the job properly—including vehicle-specific subframes, sliding runners, and side mounts. Whether you’re going for a full FIA-spec track build or a stylish yet functional daily driver, we’ve got the knowledge and products to help you build it right.
Why Upgrade the Seats in a Focus ST 225?
Upgrading to aftermarket seats brings big improvements to both comfort and control. The stock seats, while decent, aren’t built for track stability or spirited driving. Here’s how different seat styles compare:
- Fixed-back bucket seats: Ideal for track use, giving you maximum support during hard cornering, compatibility with harnesses, and lighter weight.
- Reclining sports seats: Best for road use, combining bolstered support with adjustable comfort for daily drives or occasional track days.
All aftermarket seat options require new subframes, as the Focus’s factory frame isn’t compatible with aftermarket seat bolt patterns. Luckily, our range includes vehicle-specific frames designed to bolt directly to the Focus floor for fast, hassle-free installations.
Ford Focus MK2 ST 225 Sub-Frame Options
We offer three frame options, all vehicle-specific, to make installing your aftermarket seats in the Focus ST 225 straightforward. Each comes pre-drilled with standard aftermarket bolt patterns for universal seat compatibility.
Sparco Sub-Frame:
- Vehicle-specific fitment
- 345mm base-mount bolt pattern
- Ideal for Sparco, OMP, Corbeau, Mirco, and Sabelt Spors recliners or base/side-mounted bucket seats
Planted Technology Bracket:
- Most versatile bracket in our range
- Supports 345mm, 405mm, and 291mm bolt patterns
- Compatible with wide XL seats and Cobra base-mount recliners and bucket seats
Corbeau Sub-Frame:
- Vehicle-specific with 345mm bolt pattern
- Works with all standard-size recliners and Side-mount bucket seats
Bolt Pattern Summary:
Base-mounted bucket seats and recliners use:
- 345mm (standard across Sparco, OMP, Corbeau, Mirco, Sabelt)
- 291mm (Cobra seats only)
Side-mounted bucket seats use:
- 345mm (standard)
- 405mm (for XL-sized seats like Sparco Evo XL, OMP TRS-E XL, etc.)
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YouTube Walkthrough – Real-World Install Example
We came across a fantastic installation video by TrackCarTech on YouTube. The video provides a clear breakdown of each component used, demonstrating how Sparco side mounts and sliders integrate cleanly with the factory mounting points via a custom fit. The setup is simple, functional, and offers the adjustability many track-day drivers prefer. If you’re unsure which route to take for your installation, this video is a great place to see it all in action.
This video shows the complete setup using:
- Cobra Monaco Pro FIA Bucket Seats
- Sparco Side Mounts
- Sparco Sliding Runners
- Sparco Ford Focus Mk2 Direct Fit Sub-Frame
All of this is directly mounted to the Ford Focus MK2 floor using the existing factory bolt points.
Fixed-Back Bucket Seats – Motorsport & Track Day Options
If your Focus ST 225 is destined for the track, a fixed-back FIA-approved bucket seat is the best upgrade you can make. These seats are engineered for maximum lateral support, rigidity, and compatibility with multi-point harnesses. All the seats listed below are FIA 8855-1999 approved, making them suitable for full motorsport use, including track days, sprints, and competition events.
Our top recommended bucket seats for the Focus MK2 ST include:
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From £349.00 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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Reclining Sports Seats – Road & Daily Driving Use
If you’re building a fast road car, daily driver, or weekend cruiser, sports recliners are the ideal choice. These seats offer more flexibility for everyday use with adjustable backrests, plush cushioning, and OEM-level comfort, without sacrificing sporty looks or support.
Recommended recliners for the Focus MK2 ST 225 include:
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What Else You’ll Need
Alongside your seat and vehicle-specific sub-frame, you’ll likely need:
- Side mounts for fixed-back bucket seats
- Sliding runners for adjustable installs (track + road use)
- Seat belt adapters or harnesses, depending on your seat choice
All components must work in harmony, which is why we always recommend purchasing your seat, frame, and fitting kit together or contacting our team to help you choose a complete, compatible setup.
Sliding runners are used for an adjustable setup, more designed towards road and track day use than full motorsport, where a fixed mounting is more suitable. Different-sized sliding runners are available depending on how wide the seat is and the bolt pattern being used on the sub-frame. We have 291/345/405mm wide sliding runner kits.
Sparco/Endurance Motorsport multi-point side mounts work with all side-mounted bucket seats, with Corbeau being the exception, as their seats use M10 bolts instead of the regular M8 bolt. This is where M10 side mounts will be needed for any setup using Corbeau side-mounted bucket seats.
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Final Thoughts – Build Smart, Fit Once
Upgrading the seats in your Ford Focus MK2 ST 225 isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about improving control, support, and driver confidence. With the right combination of seat style and fitting hardware, you’ll be ready for everything from daily driving to serious track use.
Whether you’re aiming for a fully FIA-compliant setup or just want something more supportive than stock, our full selection of Sparco, OMP, Cobra, Corbeau, Mirco, and Sabelt products has you covered.