Usually when you say "Roush Performance" you automatically think about a customized Mustang. But the tuner has decided is time to do things a little bit different. So, at this year’s SEMA Show the tuner came with a customized Focus just as a proof that than can customize any car in the world.
The most impressive job has been made under the hood. n here Roush has used a 2.0 liter supercharged engine equipped with a ROUSH TVS 900 ROUSHcharger. This helped the engine to deliver an impressive 230 HP and 210ft.lbs of torque.
Next to the engine updates Roush is also offering a pretty impressive package for the exterior including: a Roush front fascia grille inserts, chin splitter and custom graphics. Sherwin-Williams custom matte paint and Ford Genuine Accessories roof spoiler also help it stand apart from the crowd.
Updated 11/01/2011: This review has been updated with full specifications, images and details.
Hit the jump for the full components list.
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At the end of 2010, Ford’s Design boss, Martin Smith, stated that the company was on the verge of creating new and exciting products to build on their already successful model lineup. The new ideas behind these products were brought to life at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show with the Ford Evos Concept and in continuation of Smith’s laid out plan, we think this concept was just a preview of the future revival of the Capri name.
The model name Capri was used by Ford for three different generation models: one from 1961 to 1964, one from 1969 to 1986, and another one from 1989 to 1994. The future Capri will be a coupe version of the current generation Ford Focus that will also give birth to a convertible model down the line. J Mays, the company’s chief designer, states that there is enough room at the front of the Evos Concept to fit one of Ford’s 4- or 6-cylinder engines, so we expect the future Capri to be toting one of those options. It may even come packing the new Ford Focus ST’s 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine delivering 247 HP.
Expect to see the new Ford Capri in 2012 with a starting price of about $30,000.
One of the big models unveiled on Ford’s booth for the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show was the Ford Focus ST, but in the ST’s shadow is the race-tweaked, production-based Focus ST-R. The Focus ST-R is purpose-built for the track by Ford Racing in North America and will be available for racing teams soon.
The production based Focus ST-R features stock body panels and production parts where possible. The company is insistent that it is a fully-prepared race car that will only need communications equipment and decals to head to the track.
"We’re thrilled to be taking the Focus ST-R from concept to reality for motorsport enthusiasts initially in North America and potentially around the world," said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing. "The previous turn-key race cars we developed for North American racing have been hugely successful, so we are hopeful that the ST-R will be the first such vehicle for global series and as a direct result of the company’s global platform strategy and our technical support program for motorsport applications of Focus and Fiesta models."
UPDATE 11/07/2011: The Focus ST-R made its North American debut in Las Vegas at the 2011 SEMA Show, giving us the perfect opportunity to get some fresh images of the vehicle. Check them out in the picture gallery!
UPDATE 12/15/11: Ford has officially announced the pricing details of the race-spec Ford Focus ST-R and we must advise those that are interested in the car: hold on to your drinks, fellas. The Focus ST-R has been priced at $98,995. Wow.
UPDATE 01/20/12: Global RallyCross Champion and founding member of the Octane Academy Tanner Foust spent a day at Homestead-Miami Speedway last week testing the racing prototype Focus ST-R. Check out the video of his experience!
After a very long wait, Ford has finally unveiled the production version of the dramatic new Focus ST at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and they’ve also announced that, next to the standard five-door model, Europeans will also be getting a station wagon version. The Focus ST is Ford’s first truly global performance car and Ford promises it will combine power with fuel efficiency and an impressive handling characteristic.
For the new model, Ford has tuned the 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost engine with a redesigned intake and a new exhaust system with a unique engine calibration for a total output of 250 HP. The engine was combined with a 6-speed manual transmission which has also been specially revised for the ST.
Ford has also announced that many of the design elements seen in the Focus ST will also be used in all the future ST models. These elements include the aggressively enhanced front and rear bumpers and the addition of a rear spoiler and sideskirts, plus a unique signature color.
Hit the jump to read more about the Ford Focus ST.
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Ford had big plans for the roll out of its 2013 Ford Focus Electric, which had been set to launch in 19 markets by the end of 2011. Instead, Ford will introduce the car in just the New York and California markets by the end of the year. The automaker didn’t elaborate, but limiting the release is a better way to monitor customer satisfaction and product issues than undergoing a simultaneous launch in 19 cities. Perhaps Ford is also testing the waters for EV demand, since sales of both the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf have thus far failed to live up to the pre-launch hype.
The remainder of the original Focus Electric launch markets, located from coast to coast, have been told to expect the car to launch next spring. We suppose that depends upon the success of the Focus Electric launches in California and New York, as well as the overall consumer interest in the car. Like the Nissan Leaf, the Ford Focus Electric is a battery powered EV with no range extending generator (like the Chevy Volt or the Fisker Karma). It features a 23 kwh, temperature-stabilized lithium-ion battery pack that should provide a range of up to 100 miles, making it range-competitive with the Leaf. Ford has yet to release pricing, but we expect the Focus Electric to be priced on par with the Leaf.
