Ford Focus ST 2012
Ford are revealing an early preview version of the 2012 Focus ST at the Paris Motor Show.
Well, we managed to get the colour pretty much spot on when we reported that Ford where taking the new Focus ST to the Paris Motor Show this year. Mind you, an orange ST is not a huge surprise. And, if you care, it’s called ‘Screaming Orange’.
But it’s a bit early to get too excited. Ford say that this is an early preview model of the next generation Focus ST which they expect to get on sale in early 2012. So, more than a year before you can go play with a new performance Focus.
Slightly worryingly, Ford say that the Focus ST is Ford making good on its promise to produce a world performance Focus this time round after criticisms that the Focus RS didn’t make it across the Pond.
We did say when we reported on the ST in July that Ford could use this as their get out of jail free card on that promise, claiming the ST to be the world performance Focus. Which could mean that when we see the 2012 Focus RS – which we expect to have a hybrid drivetrain and over 350bhp – it won’t make it to the US. We’ll have to wait and see. But we’ll probably have to wait and see until late 2012 before we know.
So what news do we get on the 2012 Focus ST? Not a lot. It has a big, black mesh gob and it’s orange. Power comes from ‘…a unique 250PS version of the new 2.0-litre, four-cylinder Ford EcoBoost engine’, but no performance figures are offered.
We believe that, for the first time, Ford are extending the appeal of the ST badge beyond the hatch (which you may have noticed is a five door) and are planning on offering a Focus ST Estate and, in some markets, an ST saloon (although the UK is unlikely to get the saloon version).
So, a bit more news. But not a lot.
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