Ford Introduces New Focus ST 5-Door and ST Wagon with 247hp

It looks like Ford might have a hit on its hands with the new Focus ST 5-door and big surprise here ST Wagon. Both use a turbocharged, direct injected 2.0 liter four-cylinder making 248hp with 0-100km/h times of 6.5 seconds for the five door or 6.6 seconds for the wagon. 

Development of the new Focus ST took place in both the US at SVT and Europe at Ford Team RS because this is the first time Ford plans to sell a Focus ST in the US. Unfortunately, there are no plans to bring the Focus ST Wagon to the US right now. 

The new 2.0 liter Ecoboost engine has not yet been EU certified, but Ford expects it to be 20% more efficient than the 2.5 liter five-cylinder in the previous Focus ST. The engine uses direct injection, variable valve timing and tuned intake and exhaust to make as much power as possible without sacrificing too much efficiency. Both Focus ST models will only come with a six-speed manual transmission for the time being. 

To decrease torque steer and increase steering feel, the Focus ST uses a variable ratio steering rack to make the steering wheel less sensitive in a straight line and increase it while cornering. The system even detects when torque steer would be most likely and dampens steering as is deems necessary. 

To further improve handling, the car also has torque vectoring where brake forces are directed to the inner wheel during hard cornering to reduce understeer. The cars also has Cornering Understeer Control that detects understeer and directs power to the necessary wheel to slightly rotate the car. 

The new Focust ST sits 1cm lower than the standard Focus and comes with a redesigned version of the previous ST's 18in Y-spoke wheels. To improve looks, Ford is offering a Performance Pack that colors the wheels black with red brake calipers. 

The interior was designed to resemble a fighter cockpit. It gets a special steering wheel, pedals a exclusive Recaro seats. The seats were designed by Recaro specifically for Ford and have cushion tilt and length adjustment. 

The Focus ST will come with three option packages: ST1, ST2 and ST3. The ST1 is the base car. The ST2 gets partial leather seats, automatic front wipers, auto-dimming rear view mirror and automatic headlights. The ST3 has everything the ST2 gets but includes xenon lights and leather seats.

The Focus ST Wagon gets all of the amenities that the five door has but offers more storage. 

Ford did not announce a price or a precise release date for the new Focus ST, but it will be available some time in 2012. 

You can see the full specs of the new Focus ST here.