Filed under: Sports/GTs, Euro, Hatchbacks, Ford, UK
Latest Ford Focus ST arrives in the UK
Click above for a high-res gallery of the new Ford Focus ST
Today's reminder of how much more awesome the Euro-market Ford Focus is than our own comes from Ford UK, where the latest, greatest Focus ST goes on sale starting Thursday. As you're probably well aware, in ST trim the newly-restyled Euro Focus gets the once-over from Ford Europe's in-house tuning arm, TeamRS. The standard engine offerings are replaced by a turbocharged 2.5L five-banger underhood that's good for 225 PS (around 223 hp), is mated to a six-speed stick, and lets the Focus ST do 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.8 seconds. According to Ford, the new ST also lapped the Nordschleife in 8:35. The exterior is dressed up with 18-inch wheels, the expected body kit and available racing stripes. Inside, the proper cockpit gets a push-button starter and Recaro seating. Depending on the ST trim level selected (there are three) and available options chosen, you can add all manner of comfort and convenience features to the spiffy-looking pocket rocket. Even Bluetooth... but not SYNC. Something tells us the Brits aren't crying in their beers over this.
Yes, we know that the next-gen Focus will be global and that the U.S. will share the same car sold in Europe. No, that doesn't make looking at this any easier in the meantime. Ford's official missive is pasted after the jump.
Gallery: 2008 Ford Focus ST
[Source: Ford]
PRESs RELEASE:
FORD FOCUS ON PERFORMANCE
* New look for turbocharged flagship Focus ST
* Upgraded interior with premium features
* Priced from £18,250 - £20,850
* Created by Ford TeamRS division
BRENTWOOD, Essex, April 28, 2008 – Fast, fun and fabulously good looking, a new version of Ford's performance flagship Focus goes on sale at dealerships across Great Britain from May 1.
Created by Ford TeamRS, the company's dedicated performance vehicle arm, the 2008 Focus ST benefits from the new exterior and interior styling changes introduced across the rest of the Focus line-up earlier this year. Importantly though, while offering new technologies and features, the car's well-honed dynamics remain untouched.
At the heart of the matter is the familiar 225 PS, 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder Duratec engine. Powerful, and accompanied by a suitably sporty soundtrack, this powerhouse delivers a potential 150mph top speed in tandem with 0-62mph acceleration in just 6.8 seconds.
Indeed, as a measure of this car's ability, a standard production Focus ST set a segment-leading record time of 8 minutes 35 seconds around the Nordschleife circuit at the famed Nürburgring.
This sort of achievement requires more than just brute power and the Focus ST remains one of the sharpest handling cars in its class. In fact, the ST may well be the definitive choice for enthusiastic drivers who also demand comfort around town and an array of subtle suspension enhancements ensures this is still the case.
A powerful braking system is top of this list while Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and Traction Control are now standard on all versions.
The Focus ST has always provided lots of choice and the range retains its simple ST, ST-2 and ST-3 trim grades and three or five-door hatchback bodystyles. It is priced from £18,250 - £20,850.
Every Focus ST boasts 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, sports styling, body-hugging Recaro sports seats, a unique sports steering wheel and upgraded instrumentation. New to this generation of ST are the 'Ford Power' starter button and Easyfuel capless refuelling system. Upgrading to ST-2 adds a Sony audio system, bi-xenon lights, LED rear lights and Quickclear heated windscreen while the ST-3 includes an in-dash six CD player plus full leather trim.
In common with other members of the 2008 Focus family, a range of high-tech options can be specified. Among the list is a Tyre Deflation Detection System, a new audio connectivity module for external devices like Bluetooth, voice control and navigation systems plus various infotainment options including an affordable sat nav system with SD card slot.
Combining bold looks with a thrilling driving experience and numerous new features, Ford's new and improved Focus ST is the definitive hot hatch.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
2004m3driver 1:34PM (4/28/2008)
Drool. I love how those lucky euros get all the hot hatches like this and the Civic type R.
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Bill 2:30PM (4/28/2008)
Quit crying.
Do you realize that with the present exchange rate (GBP 1 = 2 USD) this car would costs $36K-$41K?
For that money you can keep you sync. I’ll take a WRX STI and put the extra $5K toward aftermarket wheels exhaust and boost controls.
Ken Stamper 3:12PM (4/28/2008)
I would like to be the 1,023,986th person on Autoblog to say... DIRECT CONVERSIONS FROM EUROS/POUNDS INTO US DOLLARS ARE NEVER APPlICABLE FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS!!!
For example, the VW GTI actually costs over £2000 more than the ST in the UK (£20,850 or about $41,500) yet somehow VW sells it in the US for $23,000. If Ford sold the ST in the US, it would be roughly the same as its competitors, and certainly a lot less that the STI. Please, for the love of God...
psarhjinian 3:35PM (4/28/2008)
The Civic isn't actually a good example: the European hatchback has a significanty less sophisticated suspension than the North American Si sedan or coupe. The Euro version is a little more tightly suspended, but power is more or less a wash and that torsion beam rear doesn't help it much. Other than packaging; the Euro Civic has rear seats that can pull the same tricks as the Fit's--that semi-independent suspension at work again--we have the better car.
Now, as for the Focus, yes, we've gotten the shaft on this continent since the SVT Focus was discontinued.
justin 4:59PM (4/28/2008)
Ken thanks for that smack down on the currency conversion idiots, I want to poke my eyes out when I read comments like Bill's.
Ali 5:52PM (4/28/2008)
It's already on sale... and has been for about a month.
You guys really need a euro correspondant.
These cars are phenominal to be in, when they have the uprated cams they're outputting around 250hp, however most are R'R'ded at around 280hp, these are just beasts.
Unlike the VXR, these won't torque steer you into a tree.
Berto 1:34PM (4/28/2008)
This one one kickass Focus. I'll take one in black please. Not in a couple of years, but NOW.
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Matt 1:38PM (4/28/2008)
I HATE Ford of North America. Why do Americans get all of the crap from this American company?
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FrankTheCrank 2:00PM (4/28/2008)
Yeah, it really is a shame. This is such a nice hatch and could totally compete with the Civic, Mazda 3 and Sentra.
Instead what to we get? the current lame ass looking Focus with side vent thing a m jig. Yuck!
Aprime 2:22PM (4/28/2008)
I think they got it by now.
C.W. 3:03PM (4/28/2008)
yes. i agree. the focus we have is lame by comparison, but guess what? it's the hottest car in america right now in terms of month over month sales increases. in a market that is declining it is still a nice little economic car that the majority of people really do like. if the Focus we have now is killing it, just imagine what will happen once we get something along the lines of the this over here...
Xcountryflyer 1:42PM (4/28/2008)
Love how time after time we get reminded of the crap Ford gives us in the U.S.
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Hulkster 1:43PM (4/28/2008)
Niiice!
Love to have one of these to zip around town!
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Leaf 1:48PM (4/28/2008)
I'm going to just pile on the same question everyone else is asking... just because I think the volume of protest says something in itself.
WTF Ford? Are you blind?? Our Focus sucks. Why don't you make some "bold moves" and sell that Focus over here?!
"American's don't do hatchbacks" my ass.
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havoc 2:25PM (4/28/2008)
we also don't do wagons...
although a family truckster is more to my taste than an suv... so i guess we have cross-overs for that.
DZ 1:49PM (4/28/2008)
Nice.. that would make an excellent Daily Driver. Then I could save the same amount in gas for my Evolution IX that i would pay for car payments for this.
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goofygrin 2:16PM (4/28/2008)
O'rlly?
http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/ford-focus-st-1002967.html says that the focus gets 25.3 mpg (ford.co.uk has a higher rating, maybe this is a more real world expectation?). And this is for a smaller engine than the one on this post.
Assuming that's imperial gallons, of which 1 = 1.2 US gallon, you'll be getting 21mpg (us).
Now, assume your Evo IX gets 22 mpg combined, the calculator at http://www.mpghead.com says that you'll be paying MORE to drive the focus above than your Evo IX.
Now, if the 25.3 is US gallons, then you'll save $270 a year, hardly the car payment.
Now, let's assume, you're talking about the stripper model UK Focus. It gets 42.8 mpg (imperial again, so 35.6 US mpg).
That saves you $927 a year in gas. Not a $200 car payment every month.
Math don't lie, but car salesmen do!
All that said, this Focus is lightyears better than the ugly focus we have here.
Robbie Paramor 2:10PM (4/28/2008)
I still amazed at US Ford for stiffing us with the crappy stupid POS Focus, phony side vents and all, what gives - are Ford so in love with THEIR designs over their European divisions -
I hate their "Anything the Europeans or Australians can do - we can do better" approach, GUYS it's the same company, you're on the same side, ALL you're doing is sinking yourelves!!!
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Dazza 6:40PM (4/28/2008)
Robbie Paramor: actually it isn't the same company. But it is part of the same group of companies.
Landy 1:24AM (4/29/2008)
'One Ford' means for Ford of Europe:
Hi guys over there in Europe! Now it's 'One Ford' and as usual Dearborn rules! Let us US-specialists show you EU-amateurs how good cars are made...
Ford US wants to lead developement of the next Mondeo!