This high-performance car will be in New Zealand dealers’ yards in November 2012.
The range-topping Focus ST is true to ST model heritage, Ford says, offering “exhilarating performance and handling, plus the sound and appearance expected of such a car.
“The ST is the performance flagship of New Zealand’s Car of the Year – the all-new Focus,” says Ford New Zealand managing director Neale Hill. “We were excited to provide an early preview of the ST at Fieldays and look forward to it arriving later this year.
“The new ST... represents an ultimate expression of Focus driving quality and performance and we are confident the new model will strengthen the reputation of Ford’s ST heritage and attract new fans.”
This will be the first time Ford has produced one of its performance cars for a global audience. The Focus ST is a product of Ford’s global Performance Vehicles group, which comprises Team RS (Europe) and SVT (USA) engineers, dedicated to developing and tuning products like the Focus RS, Shelby GT500 Mustang and Raptor SVT F150.
At the heart of the Focus ST is a high-output derivative of the new 2L Ford EcoBoost four-cylinder petrol engine with 247hp/184kW and 360 N-m peak torque.
One of a new generation of smaller, high-efficiency, low-CO2 petrol engines from Ford, the 2L Ford EcoBoost is a light, aluminium design with high-pressure direct injection, low-inertia turbocharging and twin independent variable cam timing.
The engine delivers 10% more power and torque than the previous 2.5L unit, and uses 20% less fuel and emits 20% less CO2. Standard transmission is a 6-speed manual gearbox with more ‘sporting’ ratios matched to the engine.
Compared to the standard Focus, the ST model offers more including a chassis lowered by 10mm, a substantially different variable-ratio steering system, high performance brakes and unique suspension tuning.
‘Architecture’ upgrades include a stronger and stiffer body structure, optimised front and rear suspension system designs, and new electric power assisted steering.
New ‘smart’ technologies in the car include advanced driver assistance, powertrain, chassis and active safety features. Many, such as the Torque Vectoring Control system – which acts like a torque vectoring differential to enhance cornering stability and agility – have a direct impact on improving driving quality.
