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Focus ST Gets 2005 Off To A Flier

There's no doubt the camera loves Ford's brand new Focus ST. These sensational pictures reveal the car the firm was hoping to keep secret until the Geneva Motor Show in March. It's another exclusive for Auto Express - we brought you the first sight of a disguised ST prototype testing at the Nürburgring back in issue 830.

By Matt Joy /Pic strip: www.bilnorge.no

05th January 2005

Our pictures of the bright orange show star were caught on a digital video camera, as the car was wheeled out for senior Ford employees. They show how the company has beefed up styling and performance to square up to VW's slick new Golf GTI and the wild Vauxhall Astra VXR before the three fight it out for hot hatch honours later this year.

The ST will give the conservatively designed Focus range a welcome injection of drama, thanks to aggressive body styling and upmarket detailing.

At the front, a deeper bumper sports a smaller grille, but a much larger air intake. At the top of the rear window a spoiler has been added for downforce, and features a high-level brake light. Meanwhile, the chunky rear bumper has twin exhausts underneath, hinting at the car's capability. Large alloys fill out the bulging wheelarches, while side skirts and an ST badge on the rear hatch complete the look. The Focus has already won plaudits for its high-quality cabin, and the ST will be even better, thanks to special trim and high equipment levels. Alloy pedals, a shortened leather gearlever and racy instrument dials make the interior more driver-oriented. Recaro seats finished in leather or colour-coded cloth and a chunky leather steering wheel continue the sporty theme inside.

Under the bonnet, the ST features a 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, currently used by Volvo. With 220bhp and over 320Nm of torque, performance is likely to be on par with the first-generation Focus RS. That means the ST will go from 0-60mph in under seven seconds and on to over 140mph, making this the fastest model in the range by far.

Larger tyres and brakes provide outstanding grip and performance, while a switchable ESP system will allow keen drivers to explore the ST's limits.

The car in these pictures will make its public debut at the Geneva show. Production versions will reach UK showrooms in the summer, priced at around ΂£20,000, to compete directly with its rivals from Vauxhall and VW.

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