Tuesday 15th February 2005

Ford reveals new Focus ST

Car to sport turbocharged 2.5-litre Duratec motor

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Ford will be previewing its Focus ST at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Powered by a turbocharged Duratec ST 2.5-litre, 5-cylinder engine and equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox , the ST looks set to be a big improvement on the anaemic 170bhp Focus ST170, the ST's predecessor.

The ST runs on low-profile 225/40 performance tyres wrapped round sculpted 18x8-inch five-spoke cast aluminium wheels. The interior looks like it will reflect the body colour which, for the show, is in vibrant orange.

"When performance enthusiasts see this car, they are going to have high expectations. The Focus ST is going to live up to them," said Jost Capito, who heads Ford’s racing and performance arm, Ford Team RS. "This car looks fast from its design, and every functional attribute is being engineered to deliver on that expectation."

Ford reckons it'll release more technical details -- including the price -- nearer the launch date of the end of 2005.

[a666j]

Not a bad tarting job... it manages to make the MkII Focus a little bit less grim...

If there's a 2.5 Turbo going into this, what could be used for a faster version ?(come on, if this is only the ST, there's got to be an RS at some point)...

Please make sure the chassis is sorted on our UK washboards - sorry I meant roads. Germany's uber-smooth roads lead to twitchy cars...

[iansull]

a bit like the 407 versus 406 coupe for me.

with this shape,i personally don't think they'll get near to the fabulous looks of the focus rs.
looks like a tweaked seat leon from the back

[d_drinks]

There is more than a hint of the Vauxhall Astra Turbo concept car in the rear three quarters view. Agree that it Doesn't look as special as the older shape so can't see any RS version looking great hope i'm wrong..........

[gizard]

d_drinks said:

There is more than a hint of the Vauxhall Astra Turbo concept car in the rear three quarters view. Agree that it Doesn't look as special as the older shape so can't see any RS version looking great hope i'm wrong..........

How is the new Job!!!!

[thetruemackie]

I remember reading somewhere that new new ST will be more like the current RS and the new RS being a 300bhp, AWD Evo beater.
Let's hope it's true

[Mr Whippy]

Yeah, true just like the "last" Focus Cosworth that never materialised...

Ford have no motivation.

Clearly using the Volvo 5 pot turbo too, sigh. Just bung a Duratec badge on it and wahey, it's now a Ford engine.

Wish they'd bung the RS4 drivetrain in a Mondeo, now THAT would be a worthy fast Ford!

Likes of the new Golf GTi, and all the other VAG cars like Leon and S3 etc will make this just another car in the crowd.

Dave

[turbo_chuff]

i would like to see the return of rs cosworth.... a cosworth focus would be great

[d_drinks]

gizard said:

How is the new Job!!!!

Afternoon Sir, rather sandy here out in Saudi, still Dubai and Bahrain kinda make up for it!

How's the old bucket running, thinking of changin up to the new one when it comes out?

>> Edited by d_drinks on Tuesday 15th February 15:10

[d_drinks]

Ah managed to find a piccy of the Astra......
(see prev comment if you're wondering!)

[agent006]

MMMMM, 5 cylinder turbo.

[gtrclive]

agent006 said:

MMMMM, 5 cylinder turbo.

Sounds familier....... Audi Quat any one.....

[JULIANHJ]

I'm holding out for the 300 BHP, 4WD Cosworth version - if it ever appears

The looks for the new ST are a right no-no when compare to the RS, for example. I'm really not taken with it at all. Perhaps a properly hoy version will include a more comprehensive revision of the bodywork.

[kenmorton]

How do Ford and Cosworth get on these days ?

[andy_b]

IIRC Cosworth Racing was recently sold by Ford to the people who run IRL, while Cosworth Engines was recently sold to Mahle (or some German company) by Audi, who did own it, so doubt you'll be seeing a Cosworth Focus

[beear]

mmmmm....mmmm....
Sounds very volvo to me?

[planman350i]

[redacted]

[Rawwr]

The thing is, in my humble opinion, even without the power/tartiness of ST/RS versions, the Focus is still a hoot to drive and I still rate it above and beyond it's competitors.

Can't really see Ford wanting to put any more than 220bhp through those front wheels, though.

In summary: I like it

[Podie]

Mr Whippy said:

Yeah, true just like the "last" Focus Cosworth that never materialised...

This old chesnut.

Ford never said they were going to release a Cosworth version. They also never stated when they were going to release the Focus RS… but apparently it was late…

[Ahonen]

How dare Ford use the sacred number of cylinders! I could handle seeing 5s in Fiat Coupes and Volvos, but not Ford bloody Focuses...

[Podie]

Ahonen said:

How dare Ford use the sacred number of cylinders! I could handle seeing 5s in Fiat Coupes and Volvos, but not Ford bloody Focuses...

What do you think a Volvo is these days..?!?!