http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/ae...y.php?id=48100

 

In case the link doesn't work:

Heat Is On As Ford Unleashes New V6 Focus


nyone who reckons fast Fords are a thing of the past had better think again. Exclusive spy shots in the current issue of Auto Express magazine mark the first outing of the hot ST version of the new Focus. And it will offer better performance than ever before - because this is the first Focus to get a V6 powerplant.

With an incredible 217bhp on tap, it's no surprise blue oval drivers are doing lots of high-speed testing, and our snapper took these pictures as the Focus ST did a hot lap of Germany's Nürburgring.

Seen in the magazine in five-door form, the ST will get swollen wheelarches and larger alloys to set it apart from lesser variants, while a roof spoiler and twin exhausts add definition to the rear.

The ST is the latest part of the Focus range to come into Auto Express's view. In Issue 806, we brought you the world exclusive first undisguised look at the next-generation five-door. We followed that two weeks later (Issue 808) with pictures of the three-door coupé cabrio.

The biggest news with the ST is the power hike. Ford has shunned the 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit used in the current 168bhp Focus ST170 in favour of the Mondeo's more potent 217bhp 2.5-litre V6. Given the extra two cylinders and additional muscle, expect the 0-60mph time to fall below seven seconds.

So why does Ford think it needs to inject some more zest into the new ST? A source told us: "We are trying to establish the brand. The current ST170 is a little understated. The next version will be more of a performance model."

As with the forthcoming hot Fiesta, this Focus will simply be badged ST, dropping the power denomination from the title. Both three and five-door versions will be available, although the ST badge won't appear on the estate.

With the standard three and five-door versions of the Focus ready to go on sale in the UK in January, the hot hatch isn't likely to appear until the end of 2005. But the story won't end there.

It's highly likely that a diesel ST will join the line-up, as well as a breathtaking RS flagship. Official details are still sketchy, but our insider added: "If an RS was to appear, it wouldn't be before summer 2006. We have the three-door, five-door, estate, saloon and ST versions to launch and promote first." Chris Thorp

 

Is ST series just for Europe, or NA as well? Will this car be coming to NA?

I like the power figures, but I am not comfortable with having a V6 in a Honda Civic type of car. There is just some law out there, unspeakable perhaps, that sport compacts must be restrained to no more than 4 cylinders. Want more power? Add forced induction.

What about things such as weight distribution, front / rear? Reminds me of someone who was doing Miata conversions - by sticking Ford's 5.0L in that tiny car.

 

ST is coming here. It will be Ford's performance line below SVT.

You can already buy an '05 Focus ST. Consider it a cheaper, slightly watered down Focus SVT.

 

Europe's Focus ST is the new Focus platform (now on sale in the U.S. as the Mazda 3 and Volvo S40), though, while ours is still based on the previous platform. Our Focus ST gets a 151 horse 2.0 liter version of the Mazda 2.3 liter - not the previous SVT motor. Focus SVT is discontinued and unlikely to return. Our ST does have most of the previous SVT suspension, though.

 

Big deal...

Alfa Romeo has been offering a 250hp/3.2 liter V6 in its smallest model, the Focus-sized 147.

 

Same with the Vr6 powered Golfs.

 

did they say sumn about a return of the Fiesta? or was that just me?

 

Can you imagine a 240 horse 3.9 in a Cobalt?

Big brakes, serious suspension and 6 speed. GTZ!