The all-new Ford Focus ST has been revealed ahead of its planned debut at the Paris Motor Show. Shown in pre-production form, the hottest member of the new Focus family (that is, until Ford presents a successor to the RS), will go on sale in “all global markets” from early 2012, following the introduction of the mainstream Focus models in the early part of 2011.
The 2012 Focus ST’s styling package includes a new front bumper with a ‘filter feeder’ looking grille and additional air ducts, side skirts, a larger roof spoiler and a rear apron with air vents and central exhaust pipes. The show car is finished in a new colour that Ford calls ‘Tangerine Scream’, while the Focus ST also gets a set of large 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 235/35 ZR19 rubber.
Inside, the Focus ST continues the sporty theme, with a pair of body-hugging bucket seats, plenty of carbon fibre – or carbon looking – trim, revised instrument gauges and, like the current model, three extra dials on top of the dash.
Under the bonnet, the Volvo-sourced 5-cylinder 2.5-litre turbocharged engine has been replaced with Ford’s own 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder EcoBoost unit, which is rated at 184 kW. Ford did not reveal any other details on the car’s specifications, but the interior picture shows a six-speed manual gearbox, which drives the ST’s front wheels. The final production model will likely be available with Ford’s 6-speed Powershift dual-clutch transmission as an option.
