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.

An inside source at Ford has confirmed that a hot ST version of the all-new hatchback will break cover at the Paris Motor Show in October, alongside full production versions of the five-door and estate models.

Rumours have been circulating for some time about when the first new-generation fast Focus would rear its head, but only now do fans of high-performance cars have a date to put in their diary.

Back in March, Ford’s product development boss, Derrick Kuzak, revealed that the all-new Focus ST “will get an EcoBoost turbocharged engine, be exciting to drive, great to look at and certainly worth waiting for”. That suggests the outgoing car’s thirsty 2,5-litre engine is to be replaced by a more efficient 2,0-litre direct-injection turbo unit.

Exact power outputs have yet to be confirmed, but the 2,0-litre EcoBoost – already offered with 147 kW in the S-Max, Galaxy and Mondeo – could easily produce 184 kW and 350 Nm of torque. That would pitch the ST squarely at Renaultsport’s Mégane 250, yet still leave room for a 220 kW-plus RS version later in the car’s life cycle.

The hot Ford is expected to be even faster than the super-quick Mégane, delivering 0 – 100 km/h in around six seconds and a 250 km/h top speed. But the ST’s trump card will be its ability to blend this pace with class-leading efficiency. Likely combined economy of 8.0 l/100km and 187g/km CO2 emissions would eclipse the 9.4 l/100km and 224g/km figures of the current ST by some margin.

In corners, clever torque vectoring software will manage power between the front wheels to exploit every ounce of grip available to the new model. A variety of driving modes will alter throttle response and steering weight, depending on the driver’s personal preferences.

The Focus five-door hatch and estate are scheduled to go on sale in April 2011, with the ST version due later in the year.

Adapted from AutoExpress

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