Ford has already taken the wraps off the production version of the 2012 Focus ST and its tantalising, but Europe-only, Estate. Now it’s time for the Focus ST-R, the racing variant of the ST hatchback.

Generating an undisclosed amount of power – for competitive reasons we presume – from its 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine, the ST-R is a purpose-built track version of the Focus ST, homologated for American and Canadian touring car racing such as the Grand-Am ST, World Challenge TC and Canadian Touring Car Series events.

Being based on the production car, the Focus ST-R uses standard body panels and other production parts wherever possible. Ford says the ST-R will also result in a wide range of Ford Racing parts to be offered both to racers and enthusiasts globally.

North American Ford dealers will be able to order the car first, straight from Ford Racing as a turn-key race car. Jamie Allison, director of Ford Racing, says, “This is a competitive turn key race car that will allow our customers to compete successfully in multiple series around the world with minor modifications. And it shows the on-going alignment of Ford Racing with our Performance Vehicles development group. If you purchase one of these cars, all you’ll need is a communications setup and whatever decals you run to be ready for the track.”

Ford’s vision is to broaden the ST-R’s availability to additional regions in the future and by so doing, make motorsport more accessible to more people with an affordable product. For more details on the 2012 Focus ST, which the ST-R is based on, are available here.

The 2012 Ford Focus ST has burst out of the blocks overnight to become one of the first vehicles unveiled at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

Almost a year after appearing at the 2010 Paris Motor Show in concept form, Ford has lifted the covers off the production version of its new global performance model, the Focus ST. If you remember the showcar’s looks and specifications, there is nothing surprising about the production version of the five-door hatchback.

What comes as a surprise though is the introduction of a station wagon body style of the Focus ST. However, unlike the hatch that will be sold across the globe, the Focus ST Wagon will be offered exclusively in Europe – at least for now.

As speculated, the 2012 Ford Focus ST is powered by a 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbocharged petrol engine with 184 kW of power and 360 Nm of torque (up 18 kW/40 Nm from the old five-cylinder engine). A six-speed manual transmission sends power to the front wheels, and Ford says it has tuned the gearing to produce maximum punch from each throw, while also stretching sixth for supreme fuel economy on longer highway runs.

Ford claims that the four-banger is more potent as well as more fuel efficient than the previous ST’s Volvo-sourced five-cylinder unit, while Jost Capito, director of Global Performance Vehicles, says the it will deliver an equally exciting sound. “People loved the sound of the previous Focus ST,” said Capito. “The physics and acoustics of a 5-cylinder engine compared to a 4-cylinder are very different, but like Beethoven and Mozart – both of whom created fantastic yet very different music – we believe the engine note of the new Focus ST will delight enthusiasts in the same way.”

Ford’s engineers have uprated the ST’s suspension and brakes – the ST rides 10 mm lower than the standard Focus – while the performance model also comes equipped with a more aggressive tuning of Ford’s Torque Steer Compensation (TSC) system and an enhanced version of the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with three modes to choose from. The ST rides on a set of 18-inch alloy wheels shod in high performance 235/40R18 Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 tyres.

On the outside, the 2012 Ford Focus ST is available to order in Tangerine Scream, Performance Blue, Race Red and White. ST customers will also be able to opt for a ‘Performance Pack’ which offers the wheels in black with a high contrast red finish on the performance brake calipers.

Inside, the Recaro seats have been designed specially for the new ST, with an emphasis on a lower driver position and support during spirited driving. They also incorporate premium features like cushion tilt and length adjustment. Depending on the specification level, the new Ford Focus ST will come standard with keyless start, dual-zone climate control, automatic bi-xenon headlights, auto-dimming mirrors and automatic wipers.

The full specifications of the 2012 Ford Focus ST will be revealed closer to its South African launch, which we expect will be sometime next year.

Over the next 12 to 18 months or so, we’re about to see two new hot hatches from Ford make their debut, the long-awaited ‘ST’ variants of the latest 2012 Ford Focus and Fiesta. While the Fiesta ST isn’t expected to bow in until late next year as a 2013 model, its bigger brother, the Focus ST, will be arriving in showrooms around the end of this year.

Though we already know what it will look like, as well as most of its specs, here is the latest prototype for the upcoming 2012 Ford Focus ST running some grueling laps at the Nurburgring. The strange wheel hubs you see in the latest shots are typically used in the auto industry to calibrate wheel slip, most often when engineers are working on traction and stability control systems for the car. As we’re sure you are aware, the design of the latest Focus has been a truly global effort, with engineering taking place in Europe, the U.S. and even as far as Australia. As for the Focus ST, Ford’s Team RS and SVT performance engineering divisions are putting prototypes through a punishing testing regime to hone performance and driving dynamics.

The car is expected to ship with a 2.0-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder engine developing upwards of 180 kW and sending drive to the front wheels. To go along with all that power will be an eye-catching paint job, ground-hugging suspension, big wheels and tyres and dual exhaust tips mounted in the center of the car’s bumper. There will also be a performance oriented version of Ford’s Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system as well as sporty bucket seats in the interior. A six-speed manual should come as standard but if we’re lucky, a new dual clutch unit will be offered as well.

Adapted from MotorAuthority

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.

It’s official – Ford is readying an all-new hot hatch version of the Focus. Speaking on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show, product development boss Derrick Kuzak confirmed that a new fast Focus is on the way.

“It will get an EcoBoost turbocharged engine, be exciting to drive, great to look at and certainly worth waiting for,” Kuzak said. Likely to be badged ST, the new model will ditch the current car’s 2,5-litre five-cylinder engine for a more efficient and more powerful direct injection EcoBoost unit. Ford is staying tight lipped for now about exact details, but it’s thought to be a 2,0-litre offering 186 kW. Along with 350 N.m of torque, it should rocket the new ST from 0 to 100 km/h in just over 6 seconds and onto a top speed of 248 km/h. That will put it ahead of the VW Golf GTi and make it as quick in a straight line as the RenaultSport Megane 250.

While enthusiasts will miss the sound of the old ST’s warbling five-cylinder unit, they’ll welcome the new car’s increased efficiency. Expect 8 l/100km combined and CO2 emissions of 175g/km. Factor in torque vectoring and a range of driving modes – two of the new Focus’ highlight features – and it should be a hoot to drive.

The new Focus 5-door hatchback will go on sale in Europe early next year, so don’t expect to see the ST until the mid to third quarter of 2011 at the earliest. Before then, Ford will launch a last-of-the-line RS ‘Clubsport’, before embarking on a replacement for the RS, which will get the same 2,0-litre turbocharged EcoBoost engine, supplemented by a hybrid system complete with four-wheel drive.

Adapted from AutoExpress