ohtourist.com: Ford reveals the 2012 Focus ST and ST-R in Frankfurt

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Ford reveals the 2012 Focus ST and ST-R in Frankfurt

Ford has taken the opportunity at the Frankfurt Motor Show to unveil its latest iterations of the all-new Focus. Say hello to the Focus ST and ST-R! The Focus ST is based on the ST concept which was shown at the Paris Motor Show. This production version which is available as a 5-door and as a wagon is motivated by a retuned 2.0 liter 4-cylinder EcoBoost unit which makes 250PS and 360Nm of torque.

Interestingly, the 2.0 liter EcoBoost offers more power and is 20% more fuel efficient than the 2.5 liter 5-pot unit which was used in the previous ST. The engine is connected to a 6-speed manual cog box and it comes with a sports suspension that is made up by uprated shock absorbers, lowered springs (by 10mm) as well as unique parts for the rear suspension. The wagon variant features a slightly different setup at the back, with angled shock absorbers which are also used in the standard wagon.

Other goodies include a Sport Steering System (electric) with variable ratio depending on speed, Torque Steer Compensation and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) which is tuned to be less intrusive to the driver. There is also an Enhanced Torque Vectoring Control system which is a revised version of the Torque Vectoring Control found in the base Focus.

The conventional version of the Torque Vectoring Control system basically applies brakes to the inner wheel of the Focus through a corner, reducing understeer and giving more traction. In the ST, the system implements this more aggressively and also adds on Cornering Under Steer Control (CUSC) which applies torque to create yaw torque based on the vehicle’s understeer behavior right before ESP kicks in, both in power-on and power-off conditions. Not bad huh?

In the aesthetics department the Focus ST is treated to a full body kit, 18-inch light alloy wheels shod with Goodyear Eagle F1 rubber, a functional roof spoiler and a centre-exit exhaust. The ST is also available with a new colour called Tangerine Scream.

The inside is finished with specially designed pedals, steering wheel and gearshift to the unique Recaro seats, darker headlining, a special rear bench seat sculpted using special foam to help secure the rear passengers and so on. The Focus ST is being positioned as Ford’s first global performance car and it will be sold in over 40 markets following a worldwide launch in 2012.

Ford also revealed the Focus ST-R which is a track-only variant and will be used in various racing series including the Canadian Touring Car Series, Grand-Am ST and World Challenge TC. It comes with a race-tuned suspension, beefier brakes and a stripped out interior along with an FIA-approved roll cage.

Continue reading to check out an image gallery of the Focus ST and its demonic sibling.