Focus ST debut at Frankfurt

Wretched · 13-09-2011, 01:55 PM

Quote:

The long wait for a performance version of the current Ford Focus is nearly at an end, with Ford opening the 2011 Frankfurt motor show by taking the wraps off the new Focus ST production car.

Both a five-door hatchback and - more surprisingly - a five-door estate have been shown. Power comes from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ecoboost turbocharged petrol engine in place of the previous ST's 2.5-litre turbocharged five. Despite the loss of capacity, the new motor makes a claimed 246bhp - 24bhp more than the old car - accompanied by a fat 266lb ft of torque.

The smaller engine is also far greener than the old T5, with Ford saying that fuel economy and CO2 emissions have both been improved by more than 20 percent. No figures have been released yet, but if Ford delivers on that claim it means the new car should be capable of returning mid-30s mpg, on the official cycle at least. To that end the car features a 'five-plus-one' gearbox, with closely stacked ratios lower down for performance and a tall sixth gear for economy.

Unlike the previous Focus ST, the new car is being pitched as a 'world model', with the five-door hatchback set to be sold in America and some parts of Asia as well as Europe. And although we'll have to wait and see what it drives like, the press pack released at the show does make great play of the car's 'level of refinement rarely seen in this sector of vehicle.'

The estate version has been developed exclusively for Europe and there is some precedent in the fact there was a wagon version of the original mk1 Focus ST170.

All versions of the new ST will have a 'sport steering' system with a variable ratio steering rack and a 'torque steer compensation' system that uses the stability control system to counter-act the sensation through the steering wheel. The ESP system includes a partially deactivated 'wide slip' mode, with the further option - denied to base Focus drivers - to entirely deactivate stability control.

Sports suspension means the ST sits 10mm lower than the standard Focus, it also gets uprated steering knuckes and different anti-roll bars. The ST estate will have angled rear shock absorbers to maintain the size of the boot. The unique design of alloy wheels will be fitted with 235/40 R18 Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres.

Exterior design benefits from a relatively subtle bodykit - leaving the way clear for the inevitable full-on 'RS' version - while the interior gets various bits of sporty bling and Recaro branded sports seats.

As before, the ST will be offered in Europe in three specification levels, ST1, ST2 and ST3. The ST1 has cloth seats, the ST2 gets part leather and dual-zone climate control plus automatic wipers. The full-on ST3 has leather Recaros with eight-way adjustment plus bi-xenon headlamps.

Prices and final specs will be confirmed closer to the ST's on-sale date later this year.

http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/27...its_debut.html

I do like the idea of a wagon. I have a soft spot for a good looking "sporty" wagon. Love the R36 VW wagons and the Volvo V70Rs.

R-Design · 13-09-2011, 02:11 PM

Bring the ST Wagon here now Ford AU! Much want.

HULK EF · 13-09-2011, 02:47 PM

pretty good looking for a wagon, Still prefer a propper quad exhaust.. (double barrel on either side.)

**Polyal** · 13-09-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wretched

I do like the idea of a wagon. I have a soft spot for a good looking "sporty" wagon. Love the R36 VW wagons and the Volvo V70Rs.

Me too, R36 wagons are a neat bit of kit, same with hot volvo wagons.

It would be interesting to compare a focus wagon to a mondeo wagon, the focus doesnt look that small all of a sudden.

Road_Warrior · 13-09-2011, 02:58 PM

Oh my, that looks hot.

Falc'man · 13-09-2011, 03:26 PM

That rear looks much better than hatch's and sedan's.

Fev · 13-09-2011, 03:35 PM

Saw this this morning, looks awesome! Love the Estate, i dunno why they wouldn't bring it here other than stealing sales from Mondeo wagon buyers and Commo buyers.

**Polyal** · 13-09-2011, 03:36 PM

Any dimensions released so we could compare the focus estate and mondeo wagon? Im assuming the mondeo would have a bit more shoulder room?

**DJM83** · 13-09-2011, 03:55 PM

Actually like the wagon but neither are enough for me to upgrade

mik · 13-09-2011, 03:58 PM

looks quite spiffy really.

Fordlover1313 · 13-09-2011, 04:09 PM

dont like the exhaust

Chilliman · 13-09-2011, 06:05 PM

Damn!!! That wagon looks hot - and that's coming from someone that hates wagons

Maybe its the colour - anyone want to photoshop an ST hatch in red?

asdf1234 · 13-09-2011, 06:49 PM

I like the old/current one better

FPV8U · 13-09-2011, 06:56 PM

I belive their was a XR5T/ST Mondeo Wagon in the UK?

Shame they never came out here, although the $$$ would have been pushing for geniune sales compared to a 6.0L V8 SS wagon next to it.

**DJM83** · 13-09-2011, 07:02 PM

Mondeo wasnt badged ST
Ive never seen an I5T powered mondeo wagon.

FPV8U · 13-09-2011, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

Mondeo wasnt badged ST
Ive never seen an I5T powered mondeo wagon.

Thought i had seen a picture of one in the UK, must have been mistaken.

**DJM83** · 13-09-2011, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPV8U

Thought i had seen a picture of one in the UK, must have been mistaken.

I could be wrong. As with over here the Titanium looks like the XR5 same with the wagon

MAGPIE · 13-09-2011, 08:23 PM

Quote:

The estate version has been developed exclusively for Europe

Knobs

Love the look of this wagon, the awful front end is even growing on me.

imugli · 13-09-2011, 09:48 PM

184kw from the 2.0l EcoBoost 4.

Looking good for Falc.

deesun · 13-09-2011, 10:58 PM

I don't know how a front on view has ever looked so horrid from some angles and so horn from others. Like all cars I have seen in pics before release I will wait to pass judgement after I see it in the metal.

Falc'man · 13-09-2011, 11:23 PM

Chilliman · 14-09-2011, 11:04 AM

I love the rear-view of the hatch and that interior is sexy...the front end on the on the other hand may take some getting used to (though it seems to blend in well with the longer body of the wagon). I reckon they should of used a slightly modified version of the regular Focus front facia?

Well I guess no-one will mistake an ST for a cooking-model Focus.

csv8 · 14-09-2011, 02:49 PM

Sorry..Repost..I posted yesterday on the FOCUS page...

FPV8U · 14-09-2011, 03:00 PM

Not a huge fan of the front of it, the inside is so nice it's hard to belive it's a Focus!

SM1DY · 14-09-2011, 05:33 PM

Only available in 4 colours, bummer really that there is no black, grey or silver.

Quote:

2012 Ford Focus ST is available to order in Tangerine Scream, Performance Blue, Race Red and White.

**DJM83** · 14-09-2011, 06:22 PM

God i love that interior the more i see it

Bossxr8 · 14-09-2011, 09:04 PM

The wagon actually looks pretty good. They have done a great job of moulding the hatch back and making a wagon out of it, same taillights etc.

Wretched · 14-09-2011, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

God i love that interior the more i see it

I'm sold on the whole style. I'd have a wagon in the yellow.
Though the dash is a little too busy for my liking but god those seats look great, but alas no volvo I5, no deal...
Keeping my XR5 for a while yet...

Windsor220 · 14-09-2011, 09:37 PM

The front end of that lacks something. Maybe some bonnet vents.

makattkd · 15-09-2011, 11:04 AM

Im sold on that and ready to trade up