Focus ST

[rob_o]

FORD FOCUS ST
FOLLOWING the Gen II Focus launch in Paris last September, Ford
will introduce an ST performance version at Geneva on March 3. And the
indications are that it will be a vast improvement over the current ST170
sold in Australia.
Expected here in 2006, the all-new ST discards the current 127kW 2.0-
litre inline-four for an altogether more interesting 2.5-litre fi ve-cylinder
Duratec engine delivering more than 160kW of power to the road via a
six-speed manual gearbox.
Full details are still to emerge, however the bright-orange three-door
borrows design cues from the Fiesta ST model sold overseas and sits on
18-inch fi ve-spoke cast-aluminium rims with low-profi le 225/50-series
rubber.
Other notable visual elements include the thickset front bumper
with inverted-trapezoid graphite-mesh lower grille, brushed aluminium
foglight surrounds, a wide tailgate spoiler, a venturi-effect rear lower
bumper and chrome-tipped dual sport exhaust.
Inside, the ST has a unique instrument pod showing turbo boost pressure,
oil temperature and oil pressure and redesigned main instruments. Black
trim, brushed aluminium detailing, a thick-rimmed tiller, leather-trimmed
gearstick, well-bolstered front seats and cast aluminium pedals work the
sporting theme further.
According to former Ford Australia boss and now Ford of Europe’s Vice
President of Marketing, Sales and Service, Geoff Polites, the emergence of
the ST version with 12 month of the mainstream line’s release demonstrates
Ford’s commitment to building the ST brand. It is said to benefi t from the
formation of Ford Team RS, which combines Ford of Europe’s motorsport
and performance car
engineering teams.
The four-door sedan version
of the next Focus will also be shown at
Geneva ahead of an Australian debut around mid-2005.
Ford has also announced the four-door will form the base architecture for
the production version of the Focus Vignale Concept – the svelte steel-roofed
convertible shown in Paris last September, and now due for release in Europe
at the end of 2006.
As was the case with the Ka-based Streetka cabriolet, the Focus drop-top
will be built at Pininfarina’s Turin manufacturing facilities - but will be the
fi rst European Ford to feature a folding steel lid.

[AUIII XR8 MAN]

Look good but I didn't like the wheels. It will be a ripper to drive.

[RSgerry]

Originally Posted by AUIII XR8 MAN

Look good but I didn't like the wheels. It will be a ripper to drive.

agreed. if it is priced righ, then it should sell up a storm.

[lv619]

hmmmm 2.5L 5cyl 6speed, very interesting...


Good to see Geoff Polites taking some of the colour ideas with him from australia to europe too (is that a hint of blood orange in the pic i see above?).