We have to admit, we are a bit confused. If you remember, last month we reported that Ford would bring the new generation Focus ST to the Paris Motor Show in September. Now, Autocar reports that Ford will axe the ST version of their newest generation Focus.
And the reason for this decision is quite simple: Europe’s tightening emissions standards. The Focus ST will be the second model, after the Honda Civic Type R, who will have to be axed due to the new emissions standards. The same fate will attack the 3.2 V6 in the Alfa Brera, the Mazda RX-8, and the VW Group’s 5.0 V10 turbodiesel.
So, in this case, the car expected to debut in Paris will drop the usual 2.5-liter turbo five-cylinder engine and will get a new 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo engine that will deliver around 250bhp and 350Nm of torque. Derrick Kuzak said the new model will get "an EcoBoost turbocharged engine, be exciting to drive, great to look at and certainly worth waiting for”.
The Rally Deutschland kicked off today and the Monster World Rally Team got right to work as Ken Block and his co-driver, Alex Gelsomino, started testing the Ford Focus WRC outside of Brauneberg, Germany, a town 45 minutes east of the Rally Deutschland start. This race marks the first time Block will race on tarmac in the World Rally championship.
During all of this testing, the Monster World Rally Team had enough time to stop and interview Ken Block. Here’s what the racer rally had to say...
"With zero tarmac rounds in the Rally America series, Alex and I are at a huge disadvantage here in Germany," says Block. "We have only raced two tarmac events before, and while we did win both of those events, I have no expectations of keeping up with the veteran drivers here."
"Sitting in the car with Jari-Matti made me well aware of how much I still have to learn about tarmac driving." says Block. "It’s going to be a challenge, but a good one. This test was one of the best days I have ever had in rally car. I am really looking forward to improving my skills on sealed surfaces as I put down more and more stage miles on tarmac not just here in Germany, but over our next two rallies as well."
Check out what else Block had to say by checking out the video!
Inside sources have let out a much anticipated secret; Ford will unveil an ST version for their new Focus at the Paris Motor Show. At that same show we will also see the full production versions of the five-door and estate models.
Rumors have been getting around that the Focus would be an ideal vehicle to boost and those rumors were solidified when Ford’s product development boss, Derrick Kuzak announced back in March that the new model would get "an EcoBoost turbocharged engine, be exciting to drive, great to look at and certainly worth waiting for”.
So you can expect to see a Focus ST powered by a 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo engine that will deliver around 250bhp and 350Nm of torque. These figures are a tad bit lower than the Ford Focus RS model. Why endanger a great vehicle, right? The sprint from 0 to 60 mph will be made in around 6 seconds and top speed will be limited to 155 mph.
The future Focus ST will be offered with clever torque vectoring software and a variety of driving modes. It will go on sale in late 2011.
Ford Netherlands has unveiled the Ford Focus Coupe and Cabriolet Cool & Sound special editions just in time for the summer. Prices start at € 27,995 for the coupe and € 33,995 for the cabriolet version.
The Cool & Sound edition is based on the Trend trim level and adds 16-inch alloy wheels (17-inch alloy wheels for the convertible version), a Visibility Pack (rain sensor, automatic switching dipped headlights and auto dimming interior mirror), cruise control, rear parking sensors, an electrically heated windshield, a tire pressure monitoring system, and a windbreaker. The cabrio version also gets an advanced navigation system with 5-inch color screen, the Ford Power start button, a tire pressure monitoring system, a wind breaker, an electrically heated windscreen, Bluetooth phone, parking sensors, and Voice Control (voice control of the audio system, air conditioning, phone and the navigation system).
The coupe version is powered by a 1.6 16v engine with 100 HP, while the cabrio version gets a 2.0 16v with 145 HP.
All of the added features to the Ford Focus Coupe and Cabriolet models are just what the doctor ordered for the long and hot summer ahead. Ford’s timing couldn’t be better and we are sure these special editions will run out quickly.
After seeing the next-generation Ford Focus unveiled last January at the Detroit Auto Show, Ford isn’t wasting any time by unveiling a wagon variant of the Focus at the Geneva Motor Show. Incidentally, the Ford Focus Wagon is the fifth vehicle to be unveiled from Ford’s new global C-segment platform that will create at least ten vehicles around the world where Ford hopes it would account to two million units produced by 2012.
In addition to the Ford Focus Wagon, Ford will also unveil a three-door hatchback and coupe-convertible versions, but also a small SUV sharing the same platform.
According to John Fleming, Ford of Europe’s chairman and CEO, the Ford Focus Wagon is a popular choice among European customers, with the Wagon trailing only the five-door in terms of popularity across the Atlantic. "These customers want the extra space and flexibility a traditional wagon provides, yet they still expect all of the technology, great driving dynamics, and superb styling," he says. "We believe the new Focus wagon will more than satisfy their requirements in every way."
