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Focus ST gets ready to roar

Next hot hatch to use 2.0-litre turbo power

ST

05th March 2010

It's official – Ford is readying a hot hatch version of the new Focus! Speaking at the Geneva Motor Show, product development boss Derrick Kuzak confirmed that a new fast version of the latest third-generation model is on the way.

“It will get a turbocharged EcoBoost engine, be exciting to drive, great to look at and certainly worth waiting for,” Kuzak said. Likely to be badged ST, the newcomer will ditch the current car’s 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine for a more efficient and powerful direct-injection unit.

Insiders suggest this will be a 2.0-litre engine offering 250bhp and 350Nm of torque. This should power the new ST from 0-60mph in six seconds, and on to a top speed of 155mph. That will put it ahead of the VW Golf GTI and on terms with the Renaultsport Mégane 250.

While enthusiasts will miss the sound of the old ST’s warbling five-cylinder unit, they’ll welcome the new car’s increased efficiency. Fuel economy is expected to be 35mpg combined, while emissions of 175g/km are predicted. Add in torque vectoring electronics and a range of driving modes – two of the new Focus’ key features – and it should be thrilling to drive.

According to Kuzak, the new car will be a “global performance model” so will be sold both in Europe and the US for the first time. Development is being undertaken by the man behind the current RS, Jost Capito, who is Ford’s performance car boss and heads a team of expert engineers. It’s likely to be available in five-door form, as well as a so far unrevealed three-door bodystyle. There’s even the possibility of a new coupé variant.

An on-sale date has yet to be confirmed. The standard Focus hatch goes on sale early in 2011, so the ST is unlikely to appear until later next year at the earliest. Before then, Ford will launch a last-of-the-line RS ‘Clubsport’ with more power and tweaked suspension.

The firm will then embark on a replacement for the RS, which will get the same turbocharged 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine as the ST, hooked up to a hybrid system complete with four-wheel drive.

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7 Comments

Sounds good to me. I thought the current ST model looked the part but reports regarding the weighty front end because of the 2.5 litre and it being very juicy kept me away from ever seriously considering one. If the new 2.0 litre engine resolves these things then I can't

By sel100 on 9 March, 2010, 11:07am

What happened to the Capri that Auto Express said was coming, it's going to be called the ST again? Does AE still make this stuff up? Seriously journalism, me thinks not!

By Focus_your_mind on 9 March, 2010, 4:31pm

Grilled

The front grille is still hideous. I wish Ford would just commit to either putting the grille between the headlights or in the bumper as an airdam. Why do they have to use two? Is it because the FORD committee of dithering fools who are responsible for taking the executive decisions can't decide what way the trends in the industry are moving and so are playing it safe by having two? It looks silly and worse still, cheap. Another thing, those tail lights are also dire. The way the fuel filler flap meets the lamp looks very cheap. The fuel filler cap should be housed in a full panel of metal, it conveys strength. Cramming it right up against an electrical lamp unit, however safely its actually engineered, looks all wrong and again, it looks cheap, which it probably is (think 107/C1/Aygo).

By pdmccmdp on 9 March, 2010, 7:53pm

That car is so fake you can see its been photoshop look at the blue stripes they dont line up with the roof one's Auto Express needs to get some real car facts before the post it on there website!

By fordrs2000 on 9 March, 2010, 9:48pm

The All Wheel Drive (AWD)

I wish the new Focus RS will be made preferably with AWD and 2.0 litre EcoBoost producing over 260 horsepower, in order to beat frankly Japanese STi and Evo!

By Thomars on 10 March, 2010, 8:01pm

Front End Mess!

Ford has messed up the front end design on this important car. Its a complete departure from their "Kinetic Design" as found on the new Fiesta & SMax models. The headlamps are flat and do not have the angular complexion of the other models. The chrome grill stripe looks cheap, The bonnet cut above the grill badge is a copy of a 2010 VW. That 3 part front air dam is vulgar! I mean,just look at it...It should have been a one piece design that flows, just like in the fiesta/Kuga/SMax. I believe the geeks in suits at detroit are responsible for this. They have sacrificed sleek european design in favour of a boring & sedate design to suit their US and other global markets. What a Shame!

By FocusRS01 on 11 March, 2010, 6:25pm

Enough with autoexpress

You provided renderings of a 3-dour focus that lookes like a c-max coupe and it was not it. You gave sketches of the capri and there is none. And if it is it will not look like it. Now you give a stupid photoshop image that is the regular car with racing stripes and blue lights.

This is a job you consider yourselfes capable of doing?

By giorikas81 on 29 July, 2010, 7:35am

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