The Ford Focus ST is nearly here with the news that select Motoring journalists were invited to the Eifel mountains in Germany to view the finished motor just before it gets rubber stamped and signed off for production. The finished article looks every inch the Fast Ford with many of the visual adjustments from the standard model being for actual performance and stability issues as opposed purely cosmetic. The new generation model will run off a version of the Mondeos 2.0 litre Turbo charged petrol power station with 247bhp available through the EcoBoost unit. A claimed improvement in fuel efficiency of 20 percent is being discussed and this will more than likely be achieved by swopping the previous models 2.5 litre flat five for the smaller EcoBoost model which is even more impressive with the power hike of 24bhp over the older model. This time around Ford have designated an estate version for Europe – while other markets such as the United States will also be involved as the Focus ST will be a worldwide car. To assist the vehicle in handling the power through the front wheels and to help reduce torque steer Ford have developed what they have termed ‘sport steering’ to include a variable ratio steering rack and a stability control system used in tandom with a torque steer compensation set up. The ride height gets a 10mm reduction over standard models and Ford have also swopped the anti roll bars out and fitted tougher steering knuckles. Specification wise the new Focus ST will once again come in ST1, ST2, and ST3 with the ST2 getting an upgrade to part leather and dual zone climate control. The ST3 gets 8 way adjustable Recaro leather seats and bi xenon lighting.
