Thursday 30th September 2010

Paris: Ford Focus ST

New ST unveiled - and it's very orange (oh, and a little bit faster)

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Ford has unveiled its new Focus ST hot hatch for the first time in the metal today at the Paris motor show - although you'll have to wait until 2012 to get your hands on the keys.

This time around, the fast Focus will get an almost-getting-on-for-RS-power 244bhp, and more aggressive styling (not hard after the low-key approach of the previous model).

The old model's characterful 2.5-litre five-pot has, sadly, bitten the dust. Instead, power will come from Ford's new EcoBoost 2.0-litre turbo motor (come on folks, it's fast and green - what's not to like?).

The new Focus ST is also the first fast Ford to come under its new global performance vehicle policy so, like the forthcoming Fiesta ST, the Focus ST will be launched globally - and that means it will be for sale in the US.

[Gatefold]

etc.

[Ward76]

What's the US equivalent of 'CHAV'?

Hot dang.

[LuS1fer]

Appalling. That gaping trap will become an Audi grille before long.

[Stevesh]

Tell me more about the Fiesta ST....

Steve

[bob1179]

Where does the number plate go?

What on earth is this current fascination with 'gapey' fronts?

[BMR]

Looks just like the Mazda 3...

[Witchfinder]

Sad to see that the 5-cylinder turbo has gone the way of the Dodo.

[Papa Hotel]

Eco-boost! I love it!
What's the eco bit? That it's more economical than a 12 litre V12?

[Key]

I have a 2006 Pre-facelift model in black, don't think i'd swap it for this. Would like to see more of it from different angles.

The 5 pot engine is my favourite thing about my car, wonder how this new ecoboost effort compares.

[peterattheboro]

That looks awful.

[Braintax]

Looks like an Aston opening its mouth for the dentist

[356Speedster]

It's a crying shame that our eco-mentalist world has caused Ford to wimp out on the engine. The 2.5 unit is fantastic and a big part of the car's character. I have a 2006 ST running about 270bhp and a 2010 RS with about 360bhp, there is no way I'd swap either for that ugly thing with it's hum-drum 2.0 4-pot.

People bought the ST 'cos it was a characterful alternative to the usual 4-pot stuff. Will this new car do the same?

[y2blade]

Gatefold said:

etc.

[y2blade]

Witchfinder said:

Sad to see that the 5-cylinder turbo has gone the way of the Dodo.

yep


that was the previous STs main appeal imho, bloody fantastic engine

Edited by y2blade on Thursday 30th September 13:01

[TimmmyT]

Notice they've backed the rear up nicely to the wall. Even they must be acknowledging that it looks bloody awful, even worse than the front!

[garykane]

It's a cross between a Mazda 3, Renault Megane and new Vauxhall Astra... so not god then! They've released a brand new car and haven't even bothered to restyle the mirrors from the current model! The phrase "can't polish a turd" comes to mind...

[havoc]

y2blade said:

Witchfinder said:

Sad to see that the 5-cylinder turbo has gone the way of the Dodo.

yep


that was the previous STs main appeal imho, bloody fantastic engine

We looked at one before getting the wife's Mk5 GTi, and the Focus had a lot more character because of the engine. If we could have put the Focus engine in the Golf body it'd have been the best compromise.

Now...?!?

[tomv1to]

garykane said:

The phrase "can't polish a turd" comes to mind...

From the paint job it looks like they've tried to roll it in glitter though. I'd like to hear some more on the forthcoming fiesta st.

[soad]

Well, the front does look agressive.

New engine will not sound nowhere as nice though...

[The Black Flash]

tomv1to said:

garykane said:

The phrase "can't polish a turd" comes to mind...

From the paint job it looks like they've tried to roll it in glitter though.