European Ford Focus ST: Autoblog First Look
The Geneva show is such a tease to those on the wrong side of the pond and we at Autoblog apologize for any anger that may bubble up inside you because we cannot have these cars that are debuting over there. There may be a good thing that rises from all this: Automakers may read your incensed comments and start to believe there is a market in the States for some of them. Make your voices heard! And now to get under your skin some more, here's the Ford Focus ST with over 215 horsepower.
The new Focus ST (Sport Technologies) is powered by a turbocharged Duratec ST 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine and equipped with a six-speed manual transmission.
The ST adds a new front bumper with a large lower grille and a smaller upper grille with a graphite mesh to add to the sport appearance. The tail sports a larger spoiler to increase aerodynamic functionality.
Inside the ST, three gauges take prominence in the middle of the dash, turbocharger boost pressure, oil temperature and oil pressure. All gauges have a new graphic design and are deeply ringed in aluminum opal color that matches the brushed aluminum interior accents. Seats are combination leather with cloth insets and bolstered for optimal lateral support.
So make your voices heard. Dont let the European nations have all the fun. The U.S. needs a new Focus, and this ST would make one heck of a welcoming party.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Luis Camino 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
good that you don't see the wheels when you're driving. that rims totally ruined any expectations i had in the focus st.
as for the european cars topic, manufacturers make a series of performance cars with less than 300 horses but lots of rage meant for our twisted circuit-ish roads. they are not cheap, also. if they released this kind of cars in the u.s. we would see everyone complaining about the price and not having a hemi whatever under the hood. you don't see 40 year old moms driving 350bhp trucks over here. darn, you don't see many people driving cars of over 200bhp anyway. i can do wonders with my 50-horse seat arosa but it's not exactly a coast-to-coaster...
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David Thomas 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
They'd have to keep this at $20K to sell in the US. $25K and you're right folks wouldn't care about the power of performance they'd want an Audi A3 for the nameplate. Or a Mustang GT ;)
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David Thomas 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
BUT this thing would definitely give the Cobalt SS a run for its money!
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JP 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
Could we at least get the design - this looks quite a bit better than the focus here.
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James 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
oh, duratec my foot. It's the Volvo T5 (LPT, from the S40 T5- 218bhp and 236lb-ft)
Ford- I'd buy one if you sent it!
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~bc 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
I must concur, although being tempted by the Focus SVT, I kinda scoffed at the price tag. I'd imagine the pricing of this would be simliar. So I've stuck to buying nearly-new Euro cars for now (couple year old Saab). I'd love to buy American (do for most other products) but the cars just don't do it for me. I didn't care for the first version you guys posted of the new Euro Focus, but this one it more attractive. I'd buy one if it fit these constraints: turbo 4 w/ around 200hp (less is OK if the car is fairly light) with great mpg, 6spd, AWD, for around $18,000. Ideally, it'd have a diesel-hybrid engine with plug-in ability, but I won't hold my breath. Once you get into the $20s, then you're starting to get the smaller Euro cars that feel better to me, so the Focus would have to undercut them in price.
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TC 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
Recaro back seat bench, huh??? Really???
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notyou 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
Dear Ford Motor Co;
I'm currently in the market for a smallish, sporty vehicle suitable for occasional auto-xing, bi-monthly visits to the hardware store for sacks of quikcrete and terra cotta pots (I'll borrow a buddy's truck for the plywood), and weekly grocery getting. I don't want to spend more than $25K; I'd be thrilled if I could spend less than $20K (if the Civic Si Hatch had just 20 more HP, we wouldn't be having this conversation).
So far the only vehicle that satisfies the requirements is the Subaru WRX Wagon, despite its turbo lag, disappointing 5-speed transmission, and so-ugly-it's-just-ugly styling. Absent alternatives (such as the swell looking Focus ST you're selling in Europe), Subaru will be getting my money.
I thought you might like to know.
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Ron 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
How much does the European Focus cost?
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Erik 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
Hey notyou, what's the matter with Ford's, er Mazda's, Mazda3? Seems to meet your listed criteria. No, it doesn't have the turbo or recaros that this has but it looks like a pretty sweet sporty utility car.
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Nathan 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
I never thought I'd see the day that a Ford compact would really catch my attention. It seems to reason that they of course won't bring it here. I'm kinda picky on hatchbacks, but this one has the right looks, and the right heart, but probably won't get a passport.
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wongoz 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
sorry, I just don't get comment #6. Why does this Focus have to undercut other small European hatches in price? The Focus is not American, it IS European! Designed by Europeans, for Europeans. What is it, aside from the blue oval, that makes it any more American than a Golf? Do you knock the Opel Astra because it's from a GM subsidiary?
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notyou 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
Erik-
65 BHP + AWD (what the SP23 Mazda3 cedes to the WRX Wagon).
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ivan 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
"this" will cost in america if it ever gets there somewhere around 20-25k, i dont expect it here for less than 30000 euro but when it goes on sale, i'll definitly take one!
love the car, hate rimms, hate color :)
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Darnell Robeson 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
Oh man. If we had the European Focus next year alongside the slick Ford Fusion, next to the handsome Five Hundred, Ford of USA would be unstoppable. Even if the new Focus would probably step on the "larger" Fusion's legs in price and other stuff, who cares!? The Civic steps on the Accord's legs. Please Ford. Show them who's boss. Do it for your millions of fans. GIVE AMERICA THE NEW FOCUS!!!!!?
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Colin 10:31PM (12/18/2005)
I currently have the Focus ST170, which in England cost a little short of 19k, I have had it since Dec '04 and I love it. Why ?, it's still practical to do the shopping and stuff and it can really move, once you get used to it that is. The Focus is the most popular car in England, for it's price, reliability, ease of repairs and maintenance etc.
The 'All New' Focus didn't attract me at all when I saw the display model last year in the showroom, but now that it's been given a sportier look and a monster engine (Even if it did belong to a Volvo before), I will be one of the first in line to get one. I don't want a sports car, just a better than average practical car.
It will cost around 20k (Whatever that is in dollars, you do the math), everything over here costs a whole lot more, bloody taxes.
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