The new Ford Focus ST – which features a unique 247 hp version of the 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost engine – will be completely true to Ford’s ST heritage, offering driving enthusiasts an intoxicating cocktail of exhilarating performance and handling accompanied by an addictive sound. The four-cylinder engine which produces 247 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque is mated exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission.
Ford’s new torque-vectoring power control system is on hand, which should keep the front wheels in line, as front-wheel-drive turbo cars are always prone to understeer and torque steer.
The 2012 Focus ST debuts looks good in its new Tangerine Scream color on the bulgier, more aggressive Focus. The wheel wells are fully filled out with attractive 19-inch alloys in the Blue Oval’s signature Y-spoke ST pattern. Additionally, the trapezoidal grille has been raised on the front fascia, making way for additional lower air intakes. We surmise Ford isn’t keen on offering the base Focus with the LED eyebrow in America, but we sincerely hope that it is left intact on the U.S.-spec Focus ST. Out back, the Focus’ rear bumper has been completely reworked to incorporate a diffuser setup with a center-mounted sport exhaust.
Inside, the Focus ST uses all the same goodies found on the top-end Focus Titanium, but adds a set of Recaro seats (for both front and rear passengers) as well as some yellow-gold contrast stitching on many of the interior surfaces. The Focus ST gets a bespoke steering wheel.
The Focus ST is the first Ford global performance vehicle. Featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4 engine with direct injection and Ti-VCT, a six-speed manual transmission, sport suspension and muscular design cues, Focus ST will be launched around the world in 2012.
