GFerg

Further evidence of platform and parts sharing will be on display at the upcoming Geneva Autosalon. Ford's Focus ST it seems will make use of the S40/V50 T-5 engine, while a production version of last year's Focus Vignale concept will also be shown.

A front-wheel drive Focus with great-looking body work and Volvo's potent T-5 engine appears to be a smart package that should surely be successful in Europe - the only market the car is confirmed for sale in at this time. More significant for Volvo owners, the Ford's use of the engine means a higher attraction for the engine-tuning aftermarket with more potential targets for their upgrades. Even better, the top-of-the-line Focus RS might have a factory-developed Volvo motor of even higher output levels - hinting at potential R models on the S40 and V50 from Gothenburg or at least in the hands of someone with the stomache to perform an engine swap.

Also significant is the appearance of a production version of the Focus Vignale Concept from last year. P1-based, with folding hardtop and Pinninfarina sound familiar? It should, all these details have also been confirmed on the upcoming Volvo C70 replacement, making the Vignale an indication on the potential of the P1 platform and the technology that'll be used on the new Volvo droptop.

Begin Press Release

BRENTWOOD, Essex, 15 February, 2005 –A striking all-new Ford Focus ST performance model and elegant new Focus 4-door dominates the news from Ford at the 75th Salon International de L’Automobile in Geneva.

PREVIEWING THE NEW FOCUS ST

- Exciting all-new ST (Sport Technologies) Focus on sale towards the end of 2005
- Turbocharged Duratec ST 2.5-litre 5-cylinder engine will deliver around 220PS
- Head-turning design signals sporting intent, but Focus ST remains practical for everyday use
- Sporty interior communicates purpose and emotion
- New Focus provides a strong base for performance road cars, competition models

Quicker to market than previous generation ST thanks to Ford Team RS

Previewing an exciting new performance model – the new Focus ST – Ford is demonstrating to performance enthusiasts they don’t have long to wait for another special model from Ford Team RS. The new Focus ST – sporting around 220PS and finished in brilliant orange for its Geneva preview – will be on sale towards the end of 2005.

Powered by a turbocharged Duratec ST 2.5-litre, 5-cylinder engine and equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, the Focus ST promises to raise the new Focus’s reputation as a driver’s car to new heights.

"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."

Focus ST’s stance – low-profile 225/40 performance tyres on sculpted 18x8-inch five-spoke cast aluminium wheels – speaks driving confidence and grip. Inside and out, Focus ST’s design makes its performance attributes clear, but in a manner that also supports refinement, craftsmanship and practicality. Focus ST remains a comfortable car for everyday family driving.

Together with the recently introduced Fiesta ST model and the acclaimed Mondeo ST220, the new Focus ST epitomises the sporty attributes Ford ST models stand for: extending the strengths of their core models and enjoying clear differentiation from rally car inspired RS derivatives.

Full technical details of the new Ford Focus ST will be revealed closer to its launch towards the end of 2005.




ELEGANT FOUR-DOOR MODEL JOINS THE FOCUS RANGE

Sophisticated new bodystyle designed from the outset to be an integral part of the new Focus family

Four-door joins capacious Estate, sporty 3-door, practical 5-door and, from late 2006, a coupé-cabrio based on the 2004 Paris show-stopping Focus Vignale Concept

Focus four-door shares new Focus family commitment to premium quality at affordable price, superior driving quality, and affordable new technologies

On sale in the UK from April 2005 available in Ghia and Titanium specifications with selection of petrol and diesel engines

Elegant, dynamic and sophisticated, the new Focus 4-door – the final bodystyle of the core Focus model range – makes its production debut at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show.

The new Focus family was designed from the outset with the four-door model as a major element, and its limousine style comes into its own within the overall design DNA of the new Focus range. Not only is the new four-door design fully coherent with its sibling body styles – 3-door, 5-door, Estate and Focus C-MAX multi-activity vehicle – but its new levels of refinement and craftsmanship seem ideally suited to the traditional compact sedan shape.

The new 4-door model shares an identical front-end design with the other core products of the Focus range, and translates the fast hatchback silhouette convincingly into the classic limousine body architecture.

The new Focus 4-door was engineered to provide generous luggage space. Equipped with a mini-spare tyre, the Focus 4-door offers maximum cargo space of 526 litres.. The design imperative for the boot space was to incorporate a golf bag or two large clamshell-style suitcases.



Focus Vignale – From Concept to Reality

Ford of Europe has committed to transform its Paris show-stopping Focus Vignale Concept into a production reality, expected at the end of 2006.

The elegant new four-door Ford Focus model provides the base architecture for the production version of the Focus Vignale Concept. The vehicle will be built at Pininfarina’s manufacturing facilities in Turin. Like the Streetka, also built by Pininfarina, the new Ford Focus model will be a convertible but the Focus will be the first European Ford to feature a folding hard top.

"The media and public reaction to the Ford Focus Vignale Concept in Paris was outstanding, and confirmed that we should put this vehicle into production at the earliest opportunity", said Lewis Booth. "Its elegance and flair emphasise the dynamic design of the new Focus range".

Full technical details and the name of the production version of this new Focus model will be announced closer to its launch in approximately two years time.

GFerg

Richie

Doesn't look too bad.
I wouldn't mind a testdrive in one.

Lex_Fnatic

The platform is also the mazda 6 among many others. Here for those details.

Actually - as argueable bland- too much- or not enough the looks are on the original- it really deserves it's top or close to of the 10 best economy's personally My sister has one. It is quite peppy-and really a blast to drive. It feels like it has alot of power. You can tell this also- that it is pretty noisy like a jetta. Even better after insisting on an "actual color" real red etc then finding another car with one. A nice blue made the cut, along with the nice sporty rims for this ZST finished up the package. Good idea- cause these things make the car look better.

Would never have considered liking it or owning it, but it really is great. This new design is nice- does rescemble the new s40 alot.

I don't think the convertible will sell- there outodoing themselves there- it's not that cool. The mini cab seems cooler to me- but i've never seen one on the road- or the mini cab for that matter.
Just my couple of pees.

GFerg

It shares platforms with the Mazda6??

It does resemble the S40, however I like the S40 the most out of all 3(Focus, Mazda3, S40).

GFerg

NEW INFO

New Ford Focus ST
Text & Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company
09-13-2005



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Hot Hatch, Cool Price


New 150mph Focus ST from just £17,495 OTR
Order books open 1st October for both three and five-door models
2.5-litre turbo five-cylinder Duratec ST engine - 225PS
Explosive 320Nm of torque from just 1,600rpm
Exceptional handling, road-holding and braking
Agile, fast and powerful, Focus ST remains refined and practical


Fast yet refined, the new Ford Focus ST offers a mouth-watering performance package for the enthusiast driver and, with on-the-road prices from £17,495, establishes a new value benchmark in the UK market.



The exciting new Focus ST is a significant evolution of Ford's ST brand, delivering an addictive combination of performance and affordability – something the blue oval has pioneered over the last 20 years - since the days of the Escort XR3 and RS Turbo.



The new Focus ST is the most powerful Focus road car developed to date and has proved its potential by lapping the infamous Nurbürgring a full 10sec faster than the original Focus RS, itself a modern performance icon. Ford TeamRS, the company's UK-based racing and performance arm, has developed a car specifically for the performance enthusiast without compromising day-to-day comfort or practicality.



Focus ST is available to order from 1st October in three specifications and in an exciting choice of colours including Performance Blue, Panther Black, Colorado Red, Sea Grey and an eye-catching Electric Orange.



Focus ST £17,495


Standard specification includes a characterful 2.5-litre Duratec five-cylinder 20-valve turbocharged engine developing 225PS at 6,100rpm and 320Nm of torque at just 1,600rpm. Unique 18in alloy wheels, three-spoke leather-clad steering wheel, special ST body styling and a large rear spoiler complete the sporting credentials.



Inside, Recaro sports seats, black headliner, 'submarine' lighting, a six-speed close-ratio gearbox, and unique additional instrument pod containing a turbo boost pressure gauge, and oil temperature and pressure dials, all come as standard.



Focus ST 2 £18,495


More generously specified than the Astra VXR, Focus ST 2 is also positioned £500 cheaper. Furthermore, it costs a significant £1,500 less than a four-cylinder Golf GTI. Additional specification over ST 1 includes an MP3-compatible Sony CD/radio system, Xenon Headlamps, heated front windscreen and ESP traction and stability management.



Focus ST 3 £19,495


Focus ST 3 adds electric 10-way adjustable Recaro front seats, full leather trim and a Sony six-CD autochanger to Focus ST 2 specification.



Power for performance


Unique in this segment, the ST's turbocharged five-cylinder engine delivers an impressive 225PS at 6,100rpm. Equipped with a slick operating six-speed manual gearbox it is capable of a top speed of 150mph, and needs only 6.5sec to accelerate from zero to 60mph. With such performance potential, the Focus ST positions itself firmly in the league of high performance sports cars.



Jost Capito, Director Ford TeamRS, believes that the Focus ST is the purest expression yet of the "ST" brand. "We have spared no effort in making this the most exciting Ford Focus road car yet," said Capito. "It is a perfect car for drivers who love that unique performance experience, but do not want to sacrifice high standards of refinement, comfort and practicality."



With its carefully enhanced sporting image, the ST is worthy of Ford's affordable performance heritage. The ST states its intentions clearly on low-profile 225/40 R18 tyres mounted on 18x8in cast aluminium wheels. Inside and out, Focus ST is a well-crafted, refined performer – a highly capable sports car for everyday use.



Focus ST Chassis


The already outstanding Focus chassis, which offers class-leading handling and road holding, has been substantially modified and uprated for the ST. Additional stiffness at the front has been achieved by adding an extra cross-member across between the MacPherson struts by the bulkhead.



The front springs have been stiffened by 30 per cent and the dampers recalibrated to match. The rear springs also have been stiffened by 30 per cent and the anti-roll bar diameter increased by 5 per cent. Overall ride height has been lowered by 25mm.



The brakes have been upgraded to match the performance of ST, developing the already impressive system employed on other Focus models. The 320mm diameter front ventilated discs have been fitted with large calipers and high-performance pads to provide even better initial bite, heat management and extended endurance, as befits the Focus ST's high performance potential.



Comprehensive safety features have been developed in tandem with the Focus's high performance and these include a rigid passenger safety cell, footwell reinforcement, collapsible steering column and pedals and side impact protection door beams. Additional passive safety systems are driver and passenger front and side airbags, pyrotechnic seatbelt pre-tensioners and neck injury protection system on front seats.



Developing the Focus ST look


The Focus ST signals its performance credentials with design cues that echo Ford’s World Rally Championship contenders.



The visual weight of the front bumper emphasises the Focus ST lowered stance, and the aggressive inverted-trapezoid lower grille gives more graphic impact to the nose.



Flanking the lower grille, fog lamp openings are trimmed in brushed aluminium.



At the rear, reversing and rear fog lamp features are given similar design treatment, while the lower bumper has been sculpted to create the appearance of a sportscar-like aerodynamic venturi from which the chrome-tipped dual sport exhausts emerge.



Focus ST interior


Focus ST’s unique additional instrument cluster, incorporated in the upper fascia, creates an immediate visual impact. Turbo boost pressure, oil temperature and oil pressure are displayed by three separate gauges and provide the enthusiastic driver with key operating data.



Focus ST’s black headliner and A-pillars give the interior an intimate, cockpit feel. The leather steering wheel has an increased rim section with bold thumb grips and three brushed aluminium-finished spokes. Stylish Recaro sport driver and passenger seats provide the optimal lateral support required for spirited driving.



These figure-hugging seats can be specified with colour-keyed inserts to match the exterior colour of the car. This no-cost option is available on selected colours in the Focus ST range.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm/newsid/2050913.008

GFerg