A Ford insider has reportedly confirmed to Autoexpress magazine that the hotted-up ST version of the new Focus hatchback will make its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September. We remind you that the five-door hatchback and four-door sedan variants of the all-new Focus broke cover at the Detroit Show in January, followed by the European-market-only Station Wagon at the Geneva Salon in March.
It is possible that Ford may introduce the three-door hatchback version of the Focus alongside the ST in Paris. Either way, as with the current model, the hot hatch will be offered in both three- and five-door flavors.
Ford's product development boss, Derrick Kuzak, has already confirmed that the new ST will make use of the company's new EcoBoost engine (see here). This means the current ST's 225HP 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five will be replaced by Ford's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost unit, which is already offered on the refreshed S-MAX and Galaxy MPVs with 203HP, as well as on the facelifted Mondeo in 203HP and 240HP versions.
"Our commitment is to deliver an exciting performance model of the new Focus on a global basis and using a version of our advanced new Ford EcoBoost petrol direct-injection turbo engine," said Kuzak back in March. "We're not ready to reveal more details yet, but we recognize how important this model will be in the Focus line-up, particularly for customers in Europe."
We assume that the Focus ST will either get the Mondeo's 240HP unit, or perhaps an even more powerful version churning out around 250HP.
In addition to the EcoBoost engine, the new Focus ST will get a tweaked chassis with upgraded suspension, steering wheel and brake systems, as well as the usual aero add-ons and uprated alloy wheel / tire combos.
And while we know for sure that Europe will get the new ST, the company has yet to confirm U.S. availability.
*All Photos are of the standard 2011 Focus hatchback
Source: Autoexpress
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