Filed under: Car Buying, Euro, Hatchbacks, Ford
UK gets limited-edition Ford Focus ST500
click above image to view more high-res pics of the Ford Focus ST500
We'd rather not start a flame war in the comments about the U.S.-spec Ford Focus versus the arguably superior model sold in Europe, but it's almost certain one will begin following the announcement of a new special edition Focus in the UK dubbed the ST500. Based on the top shelf Focus ST3, the ST500 is mostly an appearance package with little in the way of upgraded mechanical hardware. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as the Focus ST is a hot hatch of the highest order already. What buyers will get with the ST500 is a metallic black paint job with silver racing stripes that mimics the livery of the famous GT40 that led the 1-2-3 sweep of the 24 Hours of LeMans in 1966. Also included are red Recaros with matching inserts dotted about the interior, Xenon high-intensity headlamps, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, rain-sensing wipers and a solar-reflect windscreen. Oh, and ST500 badging, can't forget the badging. The Focus ST500 will start £20,495 and only 500 will be made. Sure, it's basically just a paint job package that pays homage to Ford's racing history, but buyers will likely snatch up the limited run very quickly.
You may now begin lamenting the fact that the Euro-spec Focus is not sold in the U.S.
[Source: Ford]
Gallery: Ford Focus ST500 (UK)
PRESS RELEASE:
Ford launches unique Focus ST500
Ford has announced the arrival of a new special edition of the high performance Focus ST. Called the Focus ST500, and priced from £20,495, it will be available to just 500 UK customers.
The Ford Focus ST500 is based on the top-of-the-range Focus ST3 with the addition of unique features. All models are finished in metallic black with classic silver bonnet, roof and side stripes which are designed to echo the livery of the winning GT40 in the 1-2-3 victory at Le Mans in 1966.
Power comes from the Focus ST's acclaimed 20-valve five-cylinder Duratec 2.5 engine, which develops 225PS at 6,100rpm and 320Nm of torque at just 1,600rpm. Since its introduction in 2005, the Focus ST has established itself as one of the finest "hot hatchbacks" ever made and received critical acclaim from the specialist media and enthusiast customers alike.
With sales of over 13,500, the Ford Focus ST is now firmly positioned as the most sought after performance hatchback in the UK, and reflects the motorsport success of the all-conquering Focus RS WRC, which saw Ford take the 2006 WRC manufacturer's title, and which currently heads the 2007 World Rally Championship.
Included in the Focus ST500's unique specification are scarlet leather Recaro sports seats and matching upholstery, special ST500 badging, automatic Xenon high-intensity headlamps, auto-dimming rear view mirror, rain-sensing wipers and solar-reflect windscreen.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ryan 2:14PM (11/07/2007)
aw man. that's a hot car, despite the stickers making it cost that much more
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Farris 2:17PM (11/07/2007)
*laments the fact that the Euro-spec Focus is not sold in the U.S.*
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Alex 2:19PM (11/07/2007)
"You may now begin lamenting the fact that the Euro-spec Focus is not sold in the U.S."
BEGIN!?
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Aki 2:24PM (11/07/2007)
Pfft, the US Focus looks so much better than the Euro Focus.
Hah! Throught I'd throw that wrench out there. Because I don't think anybody would ever say that with a straight face. Go go bold moves!
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Tom Fjord 2:29PM (11/07/2007)
Once again, Ford reserves their best stuff for Europe. Would it be so hard for them to at least pull out the xenons and those incredible red Recaros and use them in the Fusion, or one of the ridiculously over-priced $40,000 plus limited edition Mustangs? Yes, I know that it doesn't really work that way, but it's frustrating nonetheless.
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Gary P 3:32PM (11/07/2007)
Come on! We're paying way more for a Focus ST (£20,500 = $42,700 US) that you pay for a 'stang GT, so I think we deserve our trick lights & seats! :-)
the marais 4:54PM (11/07/2007)
This is crazy. Please please please everyone stop thinking that a 20K british pound pricetag means that we will pay the British retail price (including exchange rate) if it were sold in North America. According to that logic, a Saturn Astra (Belgium) should cost 30K, not 18K. That would mean that VW Rabbit (Wolfsburg) should cost 25K, not 16K. Please stop.
If there were a Euro-spec Focus in N/A, even if it were exported from Europe, rather than being built in Mexico, it probably would start around 21 or 22 with an adequate engine for N/A. The Euro Focus is an upmarket Mazda3, and the S30/S40/V50 is an upmarket Euro Focus. In N/A, it would be priced between those two cars.
tanooki2003 2:35PM (11/07/2007)
Auuugh this is torture!!
Crap where did I put the AutoBlog remote....Oh wait here it is.
Poof....
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David 2:47PM (11/07/2007)
I'll take you up on the lamenting suggestion:
Why does Ford continually shoot itself in the foot by offering clearly inferior models in the US?
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That One Person 5:28AM (11/08/2007)
Cuz Bill Ford was a dumbass. Moron had a chance and blew it.
the marais 2:48PM (11/07/2007)
As with many other readers, this fact is driving me INSANE.
Crap, even if we were given the option to ORDER a Euro Focus from the factory. The Mazda3 and S30/S40 can meet our emissions and crash tests, but their platform mate is not suitable for this market? If the Mazda3 can be had so relatively cheaply, what is so expensive about the Euro Focus variant?
Mazda3 = 18K
Euro Focus = 22K
Volvo S40 = 25K
Plus think of all the money you will save by firing the U.S. designers of the "new" Focus/Escort/Tempo.
Perfect.
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Joe 4:28PM (11/07/2007)
You're forgetting that this is priced in GB Pounds, not in USD, so your numbers are WAY off.
Mazda 3 = $18K
Volvo S40 = $25K
Mustang GT = $28K
US Focus = $16K
British Focus = £20,500 = $42,700
So yeah, for an additional $25K, they deserve something better than what we get.
The big deal with not bringing those platforms here really comes down to money. If they build them there, and import them, with the ridiculously weak US dollar, Ford would be insane to try to price them in the neighborhood that a US consumer would pay for a Focus, even if it were the European Focus. I mean, if the Euro Focus costs about $40K, and a US Focus costs about $15K, Ford would lose $25K on EACH Focus they sold here.
Now, what the SHOULD do, is take those awesomely yummy Euro platforms and build them in OUR factories. While they're at it, they need to build a factory up here to build the Aussie Falcon. THAT car would KILL just about any sedan available here, Japanese and Euro imports included.
Val 7:54PM (11/07/2007)
Joe, please read the above posts on why prices should NEVER be converted according to current exchange rates. I always like to give the example with the C6 (or was it C06) Corvette, which costs 48,000 GBP, thats the one with the 6L V8, 404 hp. If you care to convert the price, it would come at a nice $101,000, and the Z06 comes at 63k GBP, which is $130k Does it cost the same in the US? I mean, a base corvette for 100k? Didn't think so. Cars are simply cheaper in US, look at the prices of other cars, such as the E-class, 300C, Audis, Volvos, etc. Same models, same configuration. All cost less, so direct conversion just doesn't apply here.
2004m3driver 2:54PM (11/07/2007)
Eh who cares about selling cars in America, its not like over 50% of the automobiles manufactured are sold here.
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2004m3driver 2:59PM (11/07/2007)
/sarcasm
Jae 3:17PM (11/07/2007)
I wonder why Ford doesn't adopt the Kinetic Design language in U.S. cars sold in urban areas like NY and LA? I understand the Bold American design can work in the South/Midwest, but, besides the Mustang, I'd choose a Mondeo over a Taurus...
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Level 3:24PM (11/07/2007)
::rolleyes::
I think its a fued between US Ford and EURO Ford....im pretty sure the US Ford team knows their counterparts make better cars but dont want to admit it....Its a family fued at Ford lol.....
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Dan 3:24PM (11/07/2007)
Yes, methinks the UK Focus ST500 is much nicer than those "ridiculously over-priced $40,000 plus limited edition Mustangs." And it's only £20,495!!
Wait a minute; with £1 = $2.08, exactly how much does this toy sports car cost?
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Maestro1 4:31PM (11/07/2007)
My friend bought a 2007 Zetec Climate (3rd trim up from base I think - he got a special deal) for 11,000 pounds and the base price listed on the Ford UK website is 14,995. So since the base Ford Foci go for about 11,000 pounds, you're basically paying about $22,000 and up depending on the model for one if it were converted directly.
Tom Fjord 4:55PM (11/07/2007)
I didn't mean to imply that this Focus is "nicer" than a Mustang. I was just suggesting that a few upgrades to Ford's North American lineup would help increase the desirability of their prducts here.