Source: Ford- Press releases (2) and pics (3) after the jump.
Focus ST, Ford’s First Global Performance Car to have China Debut at Auto China 2012
- Global performance version of the New Focus: next-generation Focus ST to be on show in Beijing
- Exciting new model will be true to Ford's ST heritage, with exhilarating performance and handling, an inspirational sound and muscular sports design
- Pure performance delivered by unique 250 PS version of new 2.0-litre Ford EcoBoost four-cylinder petrol engine
The exciting
next-generation Ford Focus ST is to make its China debut at Auto China
2012 in Beijing on April 23, providing the Chinese public with a glimpse
of Ford's new high-performance model.
This range-topping Focus will be completely true to Ford's ST model
heritage, offering driving enthusiasts exhilarating performance and
handling, an inspirational sound and muscular sports design.
"The ST will be the performance flagship of our new Focus range,
and we are excited to provide our enthusiast customers the opportunity
to see it Beijing," said Nigel Harris, vice president, Marketing, Sales
and Service, Ford Motor China. "The ST represents an ultimate expression
of Focus driving quality and performance."
One common Focus ST model is being developed for all global
markets, with the vehicle targeted for launch during 2012. This will be
the first time that Ford has produced one of its highly regarded
high-performance models for a global audience.
A unique 250 horsepower 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine has being
specially developed for the new Focus ST to ensure that the car gets the
muscular performance – and the inspirational sound – it deserves. It
also marks the first application of the four-cylinder Ford EcoBoost
engine in a high performance model.
"The Focus ST will be a serious driving machine, and our design and
engineering teams have developed a purposeful exterior combined with a
cockpit that blends sporting function with impressive comfort,” said
Harris.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 166,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.
FORD FOCUS ST: HIGH-PERFORMANCE MODEL BRINGS ECOBOOST POWER, ENHANCED DRIVING DYNAMICS
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New Focus ST delivers a high-performance derivative of the all-new Ford Focus
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Focus ST launches in Europe and North America in 2012
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Focus ST features a 2.0-liter EcoBoost™ I-4 engine and a six-speed manual transmission
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Ford Focus ST is true to the values of the ST brand, with responsive performance, an addictive sound, outstanding driving dynamics and muscular sports design
The all-new Ford Focus ST is a preview of the global high-performance
model to be introduced to driving enthusiasts around the world in 2012.
The Focus ST was first shown in North America at the Los Angeles Auto
Show.
This range-topping Focus ST will offer the driving
enthusiast an exhilarating combination of performance and handling, with
a distinctive sound and a muscular design.
“ST represents an ultimate expression of Focus
driving quality and performance,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice
president, Global Product Development. “Moving forward, ST branding will
keynote the enthusiast-directed versions of our core global vehicle
lines. ST models will
combine responsive performance, optimized handling
dynamics, expressive design and sporty design cues. Importantly, ST
models will deliver exceptional fuel economy and be priced within reach
for car enthusiasts.”
Global performance model
One common Focus ST model is being developed for
worldwide markets, with the vehicle targeted for launch in 2012. This
will be the first time Ford has produced one of its highly regarded
high-performance models for a global audience.
The Focus ST development program is administered by
Ford’s global performance vehicles group, which comprises Team RS
(Europe) and SVT (U.S.) engineers, who are dedicated to developing and
tuning products like the formidable Focus RS, Shelby GT500 and F-150 SVT
Raptor.
More performance – and more economy – from Ford EcoBoost power
Powering Focus ST is a high-output derivative of the
efficient new 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost I-4 engine. A version of the
2.0-liter EcoBoost will be available in the Ford Edge and the Ford
Explorer.
This advanced EcoBoost engine is being specially
developed for the new Focus ST to ensure the car gets the muscular
performance – and inspirational sound – that it deserves. It also marks
the first application of the four-cylinder EcoBoost engine in a
high-performance model.
This engine features specially designed intake and
exhaust systems and a unique calibration to deliver the desired level of
power and responsiveness. The engine retains robust torque delivery – a
signature attribute of Ford EcoBoost designs – and a strong torque
curve over a broad range.
One of a completely new generation of downsized, high-efficiency, low-CO2 engines
from Ford, the 2.0-liter EcoBoost is a lightweight, all-aluminum design
that combines three technologies – high-pressure direct injection,
low-inertia turbocharging and twin independent variable camshaft timing
(Ti-VCT) – to create an advanced combustion system that brings new
levels of performance and fuel efficiency to engines in this power
range.
The standard transmission for Focus ST is a
six-speed manual gearbox, optimized with sporting ratios carefully
matched to the performance characteristics of the EcoBoost engine.
Genuine performance and handling
The global performance vehicle specialists have a
mission: to ensure the new Focus ST delivers pure performance and
handling to exceed the expectations of the global automotive enthusiast
community.
Focus ST will feature a comprehensive range of
enhancements including a lowered chassis, high-performance brakes and
unique suspension tuning that will enable the vehicle to deliver
exceptional handling and agility.
ST will benefit from the performance improvements
being delivered by the next-generation Focus vehicle architecture.
Features like a stronger, stiffer body structure, optimized front and
rear suspension system designs, and a new variable-ratio electric
power-assisted steering (EPAS) system all contribute to superior vehicle
dynamics and improved refinement.
Unprecedented level of smart technologies
Focus ST drivers will also be able to take advantage
of the unprecedented level of smart new technologies, including
advanced new driver assistance, powertrain, chassis and active safety
features.
Many of these features, such as the advanced new
torque vectoring control system – which acts like a limited-slip
differential to enhance cornering stability and agility – have a direct
impact on taking sportive driving quality to an even higher level.
“The technology on the Focus ST will provide
enthusiasts with an exceptional driving experience,” said Jost Capito,
director of Global Performance Vehicles.
Unique high-performance exterior
The new Focus ST features a highly distinctive
sports exterior, providing significant functional and aerodynamic
benefits and clearly differentiating ST from other models in the new
Focus family.
While sharing the already sleek and dynamic profile
of the new Focus five-door, the Focus ST features unique front and rear
end designs, together with muscular extended rocker panels and a
striking new alloy wheel aesthetic.
The sporting design language is particularly evident
at the front end, where the twin upper and lower grilles of the
standard car are replaced by a prominent new one-piece design.
Representing the sportiest definition yet of Ford’s
signature trapezoidal grille, the bold one-piece design is placed higher
on the nose of the vehicle, and incorporates a distinctive hexagonal
mesh.
The front spoiler has a completely new
configuration, with a deep central splitter framed by small
motorsports-inspired spoiler blades on either side, which sweep around
and encompass the fog lamps. The spoiler blades are linked to the rest
of the body lines through the grille structure, which is reminiscent of
the treatment in the acclaimed European Focus RS model.
The more assertive, sporting character of the front
end is completed by details like the matching black finish to the
headlamp bezels, and the bold red ST badge on the one-piece grille.
From the side, muscular extended rocker panels
emphasize the lowered chassis, and the bold wheel arches are filled with
19-inch alloy wheels with a unique Y-spoke design. This wheel and tire
combination will give the Focus ST great road-holding grip.
Dynamic rear end treatment
The rear bumper and lower fascia is also completely
new, with prominent diffuser-style vents on either side that mirror the
form of the front spoiler blades. Taillamps with a dark-smoked tint
enhance the sporty feel.
The new Focus ST has a high-performance exhaust
system, which exits the vehicle through a central dual-pipe outlet. The
exhaust outlet has been given a highly distinctive design treatment with
a muscular form and is tuned to deliver a confident growl under power.
The car’s aerodynamic package is completed by a
highly effective integrated roof spoiler, which has been optimized to
deliver improved high-speed stability and reduced drag. The large
spoiler on Focus ST incorporates ducting to the rear window and has been
carefully integrated with the vehicle tailgate and roof.
Bold, high-contrast sport cockpit
The performance theme from the exterior is echoed inside the car, with a very bold high-contrast sport cockpit featuring Recaro®
seats, unique instrumentation and modern, highly technical finishes,
combining to give the enthusiast driver a sense of being one with the
vehicle.
Dramatically bolstered and rally-inspired leather
and fabric front seats provide an ideal balance between sporting support
and long-distance comfort. The seats are finished in high-quality
charcoal black leather, offset by bold orange-gold panels in a neoprene
fabric and vibrant yellow-gold contrast stitching. The central charcoal
black fabric seat panels feature a rugged embossed design in the style
of a performance tire tread pattern. The rear seats are finished in the
same distinctive style.
Focus ST adds three additional gauges for turbo
boost, oil pressure and oil temperature, housed in a dedicated binnacle
on the upper instrument panel; the instrument cluster features unique ST
sports graphics with red needle pointers, and the center console has a
technical carbon-effect finish. ST instrumentation is geared to keep the
ST driver informed while concentrated on the serious pursuit of
enthusiastic driving.
The sporty interior environment features a black
headliner, steering wheel and gear shift knob plus metal racing-inspired
clutch, brake and accelerator pedals combining to provide both sporty
luxury and light weight.
“The Focus ST is a serious driving machine, bringing
high performance – previously reserved for our European customers – to
enthusiast drivers all over the world,” said Capito.
