Autoblog

Paris 2010: 2012 Ford Focus ST hatches early

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Ford

2012 Ford Focus ST live debut - Click above for high-res image gallery

To say that American enthusiasts have been anxiously awaiting a properly hotted up version of Ford's European hatchback would be a gross understatement. And while we're still waiting for a proper Focus RS to hit our shores, we're certainly happy to see its little brother, the Focus ST, hit the showroom floor with promises of coming Stateside in 2012 ringing in our ears.

Here's why our interest is piqued: a turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with 247 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque; a six-speed manual transmission and Ford's new torque-vectoring power control system. Throw in a Tangerine Scream paint job and some 19-inch alloys in the Blue Oval's signature Y-spoke ST pattern and we're tickled pink.

Sure, we're still waiting on an official price tag, but that won't stop us from poring over these live photos from Paris, now will it?

Gallery: 2012 Ford Focus ST

Paris 2010: 2012 Ford Focus ST hatches early originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: Global 'high-performance' Ford Focus variant to spawn U.S. SVT version?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Ford, Rumormill

Next-gen Ford Focus - Click above for high-res image gallery

It may not be an earth-shattering revelation or anything - Ford's own Jost Capito said about as much a couple weeks back - but Ford has reportedly confirmed at the Geneva Motor Show that it is merging its European and American high-performance divisions into one unit. First up on The Blue Oval's hi-po radar will be a hotted-up version of the new next-gen Focus.

Will the car carry an ST, RS or SVT badge? That we don't yet know. Nor do we know what engine will be powering the hot hatch, though our best guess (which goes along nicely with rumormill fodder) would be a four-cylinder EcoBoost. Perhaps Ford will find a few more ponies lurking within in its new 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injected mill. We'd also gladly take the Powershift six-speed dual clutch gearbox.

All-wheel or front-wheel drive? Dunno. Hatchback bodyshell? Probably, and we hope so. Sale date? No clue, but certainly not before 2011 hits and probably well into the year. Price? We'll see. Clearly, there are way more questions than answers at this point, but you can consider our interest officially piqued by the notion of a return to real performance from Ford's neglected (in the U.S. at least) Focus platform.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Focus

[Source: Inside Line]

Report: Global 'high-performance' Ford Focus variant to spawn U.S. SVT version? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rumormill: 350-hp Focus RS Clubsport coming, next-gen RS to get hybrid power

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:25:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Ford

2009 Ford Focus RS - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's no secret that we openly covet the Ford Focus Rallye Sport. Unfortunately, the Blue Oval never found it in its heart to let the hottest version of its Focus hatchback into the United States... or any version of the European Focus for that matter. As such, we're certainly not expecting to see the rumored Clubsport model that Auto Express claims will be the current car's swan song before the new version is unveiled based on the all-new Focus.

Too bad, as the idea of 350 horsepower from Ford's highly lauded 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine sounds just peachy, as do the lightweight racing seats, lowered and stiffened suspension and suitably sticky rubber. If there's any truth to all of this, expect the run to 60 to be dispatched in just about five seconds flat. Don't be too saddened by the news, though.

The next juicy bit of internet rumormongering is that a new version of the RS has been greenlit, based on the new Focus platform that was recently unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show. This model would seemingly have a much better chance of coming Stateside, being that the next Focus will be a true global vehicle.

If you're the type that likes to save fuel while scorching asphalt, you'll like the rumored inclusion of a hybrid powertrain centering on Ford's 2.0-liter Ecoboost four cylinder. That boosted mill would reportedly drive the front wheels while an electric motor would send torque to the rear, resulting in an all-wheel drive arrangement, estimated 0-60 run of (again) five seconds and a top speed of 155 miles per hour.

Interestingly, AE reports that this is the same powertrain Peugeot used in its SR1 concept, and the French automaker is said to have co-developed the hybrid drivetrain with Ford. We won't know whether or not any of this is accurate for quite some time, as the car reportedly won't be ready for another three years, but a 240-horsepower Ecoboost Focus ST may be on the way within the next 18 months. We'll see...

Gallery: 2009 Ford Focus RS (green)

[Source: Auto Express]

Rumormill: 350-hp Focus RS Clubsport coming, next-gen RS to get hybrid power originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

First Drive: 2008 Ford Focus ST (Euro-spec)

Noah Joseph — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Ford, First Drives

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2008 Ford Focus ST

Save the hot hatch for last. That's what we kept telling ourselves as we wandered the Belgian countryside looking for Ford's Lommel Proving Ground. As it turns out, the facility, located next to an air force base - restricted airspace, you know - is so secret, our hosts at Ford could hardly find it. So we had a little extra time to repeat the mantra: save the hot hatch for last.

On our way to Italy to drive the new Fiesta, we took a detour to Lommel to sample some of Ford's European C-segment offerings. A variety of vehicles, including one with the new dual-clutch gearbox, a Kuga crossover and the fire-breathing Focus ST, would be on hand for us to drive around the track. But we knew that if we gave into temptation and drove the ST first, the rest would seem sluggish by comparison, even though the vehicles aren't comparable. So did we resist the urge, or give into the little demon that's always whispering in our ears to go faster? Follow the jump and we just might tell you.

Gallery: First Drive: 2008 Ford Focus ST

Continue reading First Drive: 2008 Ford Focus ST (Euro-spec)

First Drive: 2008 Ford Focus ST (Euro-spec) originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Latest Ford Focus ST arrives in the UK

Alex Nunez — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Ford, 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]

Continue reading Latest Ford Focus ST arrives in the UK

Latest Ford Focus ST arrives in the UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

New Euro Ford Focus ST unveiled!

Alex Nunez — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:55:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Hatchback, Ford, UK

Click image for photo gallery

Yesterday's Focus ST500 special edition is cool and all, but what most Focus fans overseas are looking forward to is the next ST. Well, the wait's over thanks to the UK's Auto Express. The mag has pulled the cover off of the updated hot hatch, which incorporates all the latest Ford of Europe design cues. The headlights are very Mondeo, and that gaping lower intake shows us that the maw on the Verve concept was not some show car exaggeration. It's a styling element that's now officially been used on a production vehicle. Around back, the hatch is updated and the rear bumper has a diffuser insert.

As before, 3- and 5-door models will be offered, and the new car's powertrain also remains unchanged. It packs the same 2.5L 222-horsepower turbo five-cylinder underhood as the outgoing car, and it even keeps the same pricing scheme. The three-door ranges from £17,995 for the ST to £19,995 for the loaded-up ST-3. Five-door versions add another £600 to the bottom line. The updated Focus ST goes on sale in March 2008. While our pals across the pond get this toy to play with, we're stuck with the new car whose front end looks like it's made of Duplo blocks. But it has Sync, so rejoice.

[Source: Auto Express]

Gallery: 2008 Ford Focus ST

New Euro Ford Focus ST unveiled! originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

UK gets limited-edition Ford Focus ST500

John Neff — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Europe, Hatchback, Ford

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)

Continue reading UK gets limited-edition Ford Focus ST500

UK gets limited-edition Ford Focus ST500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Barcelona Motor Show: Spain-only Ford Focus WRC-S

Alex Nunez — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 09:35:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows

Click image for photo gallery

Ford has announced a new special-edition Focus exclusive to the Spanish market called the WRC-S. Despite the fancy name, it's mechanically identical to the existing Focus 2.0 TDCi. The 136-horsepower WRC-S is limited to 666 units, each of which sports the Focus ST's bodywork, is painted white, and wears the graphics package you see above, combining a checkered-flag motif, the WRC logo, and each car's serial number. 10-spoke 18" wheels round out the external features.

Inside, the black seats are trimmed with Alcantara and feature white piping and contrast stitching. Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control, and a leather-wrapped wheel are also standard, and each car is signed by BP-Ford World Rally Team driver Marcus Grönholm, which certainly adds some interest and collector's appeal to what is otherwise an appearance package. The price is set at €23,895.

[Sources: Autoblog Spanish & km77.com]

Barcelona Motor Show: Spain-only Ford Focus WRC-S originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jun 2007 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ford Focus ST TDCi in the works

Alex Nunez — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Ford

Here's an interesting tidbit of information: Our counterparts over at Autoblog Spanish are reporting that come January, some countries not named the United States of America will receive a diesel version of the Ford Focus ST. Details are scarce, but what is known is that the Focus ST TDCi will have the Oval's 2.0-liter diesel underhood. Feel free to speculate as to whether the boys at Ford's skunkworks will tune the powerplant to produce more than the 136-horsepower it generates in stock form. If it's really going to get the ST treatment, we'd imagine Ford would want to do something besides just slapping the ST bodywork and interior mods on.

We'll find out soon enough. In any case, add this one to the list of cool Foci that we won't be seeing here.

[Source: Autoblog Spanish (translated)]

Ford Focus ST TDCi in the works originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Oct 2006 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments