The all-new 2012 Ford Focus launched this year and you probably have started seeing them out on the road where you work and live. The 2012 Ford Focus has been acclaimed for having class-leading technology like Self Park in a car that can start at as little as about $16K and maxes out near $23K. However, there is something missing from the equation—a performance model. And it has been a long time, the 2004 model year, since we have had a performance Focus in the U.S. That will change next year with the first introduction of the Ford Focus ST to the U.S. market.
The scoop from Ford is that there is currently 60 pre-production Ford Focus ST vehicles being tested around the world from the Nürburgring in Germany to the harshest cold weather conditions of Northern Europe to the freeways of California (probably stop and go testing). Ford says that the new ST model will not only deliver superior performance, but also increased fuel economy over the previous generation that was sold in Europe. What’s more is that it will have a 246 hp version of the current 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine.
“Fuel efficiency is a key leadership target for Ford Motor Company globally. We want to be class-leading even with a performance vehicle, so we’re working on getting the best possible blend of high performance and fuel economy from the new ST,” said Matthias Tonn, chief program engineer, Global Performance Products, Ford of Europe.
The new Focus ST is eagerly awaited around the world, which is appropriate as this is our first global performance model,” said Jost Capito, Ford’s director of Global Performance Vehicles. “It must live up to Ford’s reputation for producing affordable yet exciting and sporty versions of its smaller cars that reward and delight enthusiast drivers, but can also be used every day.
As you can see Ford is as excited to offer this car to consumers around the world, continuing their global vehicle platform strategy, as customers will be to buy it and drive it.
[Source: Ford]
