Wednesday 15th September 2010

Ford Focus ST Goes (A Bit) More Hardcore

Aggressive new style will be backed by a power hike

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This new generation Ford Focus ST will be previewed at the Paris motor show next month, although the 247hp hot hatch won't make production until early 2012.

Paris will be the first time the complete line-up of production-ready new Focus body styles will be displayed together, which is relatively interesting.

More interesting is the fact that the Focus ST version is getting a distinctly harder-edge (well, all things are relative), with a power upgrade from the current model's 220-something hp, and styling that's definitely more attention-grabbing - apparently as a result of customer criticism of the current model's low-key approach.

The Focus ST is targeted for launch in all Ford's global markets, and will be Ford's first high-performance model developed under its global Performance Vehicles strategy.

Power will come from a version of the new 2.0-litre, four-cylinder Ford EcoBoost engine, and in case you were wondering the show car pictured here is finished in what will be a new addition to the colour range called 'Tangerine Scream'. No... say it LOUDER!!!

[TheRoadWarrior]

TBH i'm not sure this will look more agressive in the colours people are likely to chose, sure its all glitzy in the pictures but on the road- I think it'll look too long, too big and a bit awkward.

More power is obviously nice and it'll probably be better on fuel, but I can't help thinking the 5-pot in the outgoing model was one of its main USPs.

[JulianHJ]

Don't like the front end, can't stand that colour.

A definite step backwards on those points.

[stuckmojo]

I prefer the current version. Actually, even better the one before with the smaller headlights.

This one seems to have been designed by somebody made redundant by the Citroen team, big mouth and all that

[JulianHJ]

stuckmojo said:

I prefer the current version. Actually, even better the one before with the smaller headlights.

This one seems to have been designed by somebody made redundant by the Citroen team, big mouth and all that

Just what I was thinking, and that colour belongs on a fking Picasso or some sort of CC abortion.

[rob.e]

stuckmojo said:

I prefer the current version. Actually, even better the one before with the smaller headlights.

This one seems to have been designed by somebody made redundant by the Citroen team, big mouth and all that

+1

That mouth is huge!

[nsmith1180]

Better than the old one, but still an ASBO on wheels then?

ETA the interior is minging!

Edited by nsmith1180 on Wednesday 15th September 09:52

[Hammerhead]

What a minga

[TuxRacer]

That does look very Citroen.

Oh dear.

[Danny S]

Looks like an Imprezza/Lancer/Pro-cee'd mash up to me :/

and if you only look at the front of the mouth and cover up the headlights back, its almost like an Aston :|

[Fire99]

Losing the Volvo 5-Pot is a real shame for the focus IMO. Not it's going to be just another hot-hatch with a pretty frock. The 5-pot was a distinct difference from the Vauxhall, Renault, VW etc.

[sixpot]

Fire99 said:

Losing the Volvo 5-Pot is a real shame for the focus IMO. Not it's going to be just another hot-hatch with a pretty frock. The 5-pot was a distinct difference from the Vauxhall, Renault, VW etc.

Having owned the outgoing version for some 2 years before chopping it in 18 months ago, I can vouch for the 5 pot. It was an absolute hoot to drive and the torque was phenominal in every gear. It's a real shame they're going back to the 4 cylinder engine. The 5 pot was the only reason I chose it over the gti at the time. What USP does it have now?

[teen_cerbera]

Surely its a number of typos here? This a a C-Max ST surely?

[anonymous-user]

Fire99 said:

Losing the Volvo 5-Pot is a real shame for the focus IMO. Not it's going to be just another hot-hatch with a pretty frock. The 5-pot was a distinct difference from the Vauxhall, Renault, VW etc.

That engine was way too thirsty for it's power output. The new Ecoboost engines are sounding the part IMO, good power, good economy & clean.

[sixpot]

Dave_ST220 said:

Fire99 said:

Losing the Volvo 5-Pot is a real shame for the focus IMO. Not it's going to be just another hot-hatch with a pretty frock. The 5-pot was a distinct difference from the Vauxhall, Renault, VW etc.

That engine was way too thirsty for it's power output. The new Ecoboost engines are sounding the part IMO, good power, good economy & clean.

In the grand scheme of things, saving a few mpg is neither here or there IMO. The 5 pot was fun, and exciting and most of all sounded fantastic. In the two years that I owned mine I never reset trip A once and it averaged 28mpg on a largely urban life. my 159 1.9 diesel is doing 34mpg on the same journeys and diesel is 4-5p more expensive to buy. To me, the ST has got an undeserved bad name for economy. In the real world, I believe it was worth every gallon!!!!

[teen_cerbera]

Dave_ST220 said:

Fire99 said:

Losing the Volvo 5-Pot is a real shame for the focus IMO. Not it's going to be just another hot-hatch with a pretty frock. The 5-pot was a distinct difference from the Vauxhall, Renault, VW etc.

That engine was way too thirsty for it's power output. The new Ecoboost engines are sounding the part IMO, good power, good economy & clean.

Oddly enough, my MKII RS gets approx. 1 MPG more than my mates facelifted FST, I am pretty sure he doesnt drive as enthusiastically as me either?

[TuxRacer]

sixpot said:

In the grand scheme of things, saving a few mpg is neither here or there IMO. The 5 pot was fun, and exciting and most of all sounded fantastic. In the two years that I owned mine I never reset trip A once and it averaged 28mpg on a largely urban life. my 159 1.9 diesel is doing 34mpg on the same journeys and diesel is 4-5p more expensive to buy. To me, the ST has got an undeserved bad name for economy. In the real world, I believe it was worth every gallon!!!!

You did very well to average 28mpg - I struggle to keep it at the top end of 23.

Worth it for the 5 pot though. I can't see me wanting a 4 cylinder.

[peterattheboro]

I'm a big fan of the Focus ST but that looks foul.

No doubt the RS won't be much different which is a real shame.

And it does look like a DS3/4 / New Astra lovechild.

Edited by peterattheboro on Wednesday 15th September 10:00

[Beefmeister]

Awful front end. Ford may well have 'Jumped the Shark' with this one.

I'm certain it'll be an amazing steer, will sound great and go like stink, but i just couldn't walk out to that front, or indeed rear every day.

Overstyled mess:



Understated good looks:

[sixpot]

TuxRacer said:

sixpot said:

In the grand scheme of things, saving a few mpg is neither here or there IMO. The 5 pot was fun, and exciting and most of all sounded fantastic. In the two years that I owned mine I never reset trip A once and it averaged 28mpg on a largely urban life. my 159 1.9 diesel is doing 34mpg on the same journeys and diesel is 4-5p more expensive to buy. To me, the ST has got an undeserved bad name for economy. In the real world, I believe it was worth every gallon!!!!

You did very well to average 28mpg - I struggle to keep it at the top end of 23.

Worth it for the 5 pot though. I can't see me wanting a 4 cylinder.

You must have a very heavy right foot my friend because I was no Miss Daisy when I owned mine

[DBSnappa]

Good grief! Front end looks like it's been nicked from that hideous Peugeot 407 Coupe or whatever it's called — the lights are too high, the front grill looks like it's meant for sieving krill out of the sea and the arse end looks like it's been nicked from a Toyota hatch.