Revealed today ahead of its planned debut at the Paris Motor Show, is the all-new Ford Focus ST. Shown here in pre-production form, the hottest member of the new Focus family (that is, until Ford decides to present a successor to the RS), will go on sale in “all global markets” from early 2012, following the introduction of the mainstream Focus models in Spring of 2011. We assume that by “all global markets”, Ford means the performance version of the new Focus will also be sold in the States, with or without (SVT?) the ST badge.
Based on the five-door version of the new Focus, the ST is visually differentiated from its regular brethren through a dare-we-say (and not in a positive way), tuner-like bodykit.
The styling package includes a new front bumper with a ‘gaping mouth’ grille and additional air ducts, side skirts, a larger roof spoiler and a rear apron with air vents and central exhaust pipes. The show car is finished in a new color Ford calls ‘Tangerine Scream’ while the ST also gets a set of beefy 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 235/35 ZR 19 rubber.
Inside, the Focus ST gets a pair of body-hugging bucket seats with contrasting orange seams and pads, a sportier-looking steering wheel with a thicker rim, carbon fiber trim on the center console, revised instrument gauges and, like the current model, three extra dials on top of the dash.
Under the bonnet, out goes the current model’s Volvo-sourced and a delight to listen to, 225HP 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine, and in comes Ford’s own 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder EcoBoost unit, which is rated at 250-horsepower.
Ford did not reveal any other details on the car’s specifications, but the interior picture shows a six-speed manual gearbox, which drives the ST’s front wheels. The final production model will most likely be offered with the company’s six-speed Powershift dual-clutch transmission also.
In Paris, the ST will be joined by the next-generation Focus family in hatchback, sedan and station wagon flavors, the facelifted Mondeo, which was previewed at the recent Moscow International Automobile Salon, and the new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX people carriers.
