2012 Ford Focus ST Revealed, U.S.-Bound

By Samuel Spencer

Samuel Spencer

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Sam is currently a fourth year Journalism major at the University of Cincinnati. He has been a lot technician at a Ford dealership since 2007, where... More

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722 views Sep 15, 2010

2012 Ford Focus ST

Based on the surprisingly pretty 2012 Focus, this spicy version turns the svelte design into something much more aggressive and appealing to those college aged hooligans. Ford claims that this is merely a "design study" so expect some minor changes between this car and the production vehicle. As long as it stays this flashy and fierce and keeps its "tangerine scream" paint job, I doubt anyone is going to have a problem with that.

And no one will have a problem with how it accelerates either... hopefully. The old ST that was loved by Europeans (and some Americans that got to drive it) had a 225-horsepower turbocharged five-cylinder engine from Volvo. This one loses a cylinder, but sees an increase in power. It will have a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing about 247 horsepower. Remember the acclaimed SVT Focus? That had "only" 170 horsepower. If I got one, I'd take a sharpie and cross out Eco on the EcoBoost badge on the back. Screw the environment, I just want to drive.

Ford is making some hopeful promises about the performance. They say "the new range-topping Focs... will be completely true to Ford's ST heritage, offering driving enthusiasts and intoxicating cocktail of exhilarating performance and handling accompanied by an addictive sound." I can't wait to see the health and safety stickers on the tailpipes that say "WARNING: THE SOUND COMING FROM THIS PIPE IS ADDICTIVE."

All kidding aside, this news isn't just exciting for Europeans. This Focus ST is "targeted for launch in all global markets from early 2012." That sounds very exciting... for everyone. I just wonder if it can outdo the Mazdaspeed3.

[MotorAuthority]