Ford Focus ST Gets 32mpg Economy Beating Competitors

The United States is getting the Ford Focus STFord Focus ST EcoBoostUnited Kingdom, 2012 > present9 photos
for the first time, and it is only the second time that Ford has sold a truly sporty version of the FocusFord Ford Focus (UK) Gen.3United Kingdom, 2011 > present207 versions
299 photos
in the US. The Focus ST will go on sale very soon, and the car has had its fuel economy certified by the US Environmental Protection Agency at 32 mpg highway, 23 mpg city and 26 mpg combined.

That fuel economy comes with a car with 252hp and 270lb-ft of torque with a 152mph top speed for a base price of $24,495. Ford gets the power by using its 2.0 liter, Ecoboost engine that is also used in the FusionFord Fusion Gen.2United States of America, 2012 > present30 versions
45 photos
, FlexFord FlexUnited States of America, 2008 > present18 versions
40 photos
, ExplorerFord Explorer Gen.5United States of America, 2011 > present11 versions
34 photos
, EscapeFord Escape Gen.3United States of America, 2012 > present10 versions
40 photos
and TaurusFord Taurus Gen.6United States of America, 2010 > present14 versions
31 photos
. Ford has not announced a weight for the Focus ST yet, but the standard Focus hatchback in the US has a curb weight of 2,920lbs. 

To compare, in the US the Volkswagen GTIVolkswagen Golf GTIGermany, 2009 > present4 photos
2 videos
starts at $23,995 has 200hp and 207lb-ft of torque and fuel economy of 21mpg city and 31mpg highway. It weighs 3,034lbs.

Ford Focus ST EcoBoost 2012 122 cu in 250 hp @ 5500 rpm 154 mph 6.5s

Volkswagen Golf GTI 2009 121 cu in 210 hp @ 5300 rpm 149 mph 6.90s

view full comparison

The MazdaSpeed 3Mazda MazdaSpeed3 SportJapan, 2009 > present2 photos
starts at $24,000 with 263hp and 280lb-ft torque and gets 18mpg city and 25mpg highway fuel economy. It weighs 3,281lbs.

Ford Focus ST EcoBoost 2012 122 cu in 250 hp @ 5500 rpm 154 mph 6.5s

Mazda MazdaSpeed3 Sport 2009 138 cu in 263 hp @ 5500 rpm

view full comparison

All three cars are front-wheel drive and come standard with a six-speed manual transmission. Only the GTI has the option of a six-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox. 

This is a pretty major shot by FordFordUnited Kingdom, 1909 > present33 models
3718 photos
5 videos
against its rivals. While the price is a little higher than the competitors, and it does not come with some of the standard features that the other cars have, from a pure numbers perspective Ford is winning. 

The question now is how will the next GTI rank? VolkswagenVolkswagenGermany, 1938 > present98 models
9654 photos
31 videos
is working on the new GolfGKNUnited Kingdom, 1900 > present2 models
1 photo
now and will debut t at the Paris Auto Show. Will Volkswagen be able to come back at Ford?