a href="/myfiles/Images/2013/05/11/ec12_big.jpg" title="The five-door Focus ST delivers the driving attributes that makes all Ford “sports technologies" (ST) models stand out. — Courtesy phto" The five-door Focus ST delivers the driving attributes that makes all Ford “sports technologies" (ST) models stand out. — Courtesy phto The Focus ST is Ford's first truly global performance car, building on the heritage of previous Focus ST models and giving drivers around the world the opportunity to share the exhilarating performance, unrivaled handling, addictive sound and sporty design that Ford's ST badge represents. Shortly after arriving in the Middle East, the stunning Focus ST is becoming popular with strong demand for more units to be available. The five-door Focus ST delivers the same driving attributes that makes all Ford “sports technologies” (ST) models stand out. The chassis, engine, sound and comfort of the vehicle are tuned to deliver a truly sporty experience combined with a high-level of refinement. These attributes will form the genetic code for future Ford models that might wear the ST badge. “The Focus ST has been designed to appeal to driving enthusiasts across the Middle East,” said Paul Anderson, Marketing director at Ford Middle East. “Our global performance teams based in North America, Europe and Asia have worked together to develop the core product attributes – steering, driving dynamics, sound quality and power enhancements – for all Ford ST models including interior and exterior differentiation. They've been defined to the extent that our engineers were able to apply that global DNA fingerprint to the new Focus ST and deliver a distinctive sporting personality all its own.” “Performance hatch lovers know the Focus ST and its capabilities very well and have been eager to own one as soon as we introduced it to the Middle East markets,” he added. “The feedback we have received so far from our dealers and customers around the region has been tremendous.” Performance meets efficiency under the hood. Focus ST is powered by the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, which offers an uncompromising mix of performance and efficiency. The 248-km/hour performance vehicle achieves a class-leading 7.35 L/100km highway, 10.23 L/100km city and 9.05 L/100km combined with 252 horsepower and 270 lb.ft. of torque. Ford's lightweight, all-aluminum EcoBoost engines provide the power of a larger engine in a fuel-efficient smaller displacement, leveraging three key technologies. High pressure direct injection, low-inertia turbocharging and Twin-independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT) create an advanced combustion system which brings new levels of performance and fuel efficiency. This is the first time Ford has placed an EcoBoost engine in a high performance model, offering drivers impressive power and torque throughout the rev range at their disposal. For everyday driving, however, the characteristics of the Focus ST let them drive in a more fuel efficient way. Mated to the 2.0-liter engine is a six-speed manual transmission, which has specially revised gearing to produce the maximum punch from each throw of the gear shift. The Global Performance Vehicles group spent significant attention to detail in ensuring the ratio of sixth gear was perfectly in tune with the Focus ST, giving the driver optimum performance while remaining long enough to help maintain excellent fuel economy on longer runs. Sound and driving dynamics: The previous generation European-engineered Focus ST was acclaimed for its five-cylinder engine sound. With the introduction of a four-cylinder EcoBoost engine into the latest Focus ST, the Ford sound engineers ensured the audible delights from the new engine maintains the same robust tone. A significant part of this process is the reworking of the famed sound symposer, first found on the previous Focus ST and subsequently employed on the European Focus RS and RS500 models. Driving dynamics are at the heart of the Focus ST. Innovation and technology combine to create a chassis capable of exceeding the expectations of even the most demanding driving enthusiast, while giving even novice motorists an unforgettable drive. From the driver's seat, customers will experience the new-developed Ford Sport Steering System. This variable ratio steering rack is designed to increase the agility of the Focus ST on winding roads yet still inspire the same high-speed confidence. The unique system makes steering less sensitive when driving in a straight line, but increases the feel during cornering. Drivers can keep their hands firmly gripped on the steering wheel through tight hairpins, maximizing their control over the vehicle. It also has benefits in slow-speed situations such as tight parking maneuvers, with less input needed from the driver to direct the vehicle into the space. Bold look inside and out: The exhilarating drive of the new Focus ST will have customers spending as much time behind the steering wheel as possible. With that in mind, Ford's designers have worked hard to ensure the interior of the Focus ST is a great place to be, helping the driver to feel as connected to the vehicle as possible. The interior of the core Focus model is already designed with a “cockpit” feel. In the ST variant, that sporty feeling is heightened with everything the driver touches and feels reinforcing that it is unmistakably an ST. Details range from specially designed pedals to the steering wheel and gearshift. The darker headlining and trim on the pillars, an integral part of the ST's design DNA, adds to the performance driving feel. On the outside, the iconic Y-shaped wheel spoke design of the European Focus ST has evolved for the new incarnation. A set of 18-inch alloy wheels carry on the recognized Focus ST style but subtle revisions bring them up-to-date for 2013. The striking one-piece design interpretation of Ford's signature trapezoidal grille at the front, through the sculpted side skirts and the dynamic rear bumper with prominent diffuser-style vents in the lower fascia, the Focus ST's design adds aggression and aerodynamic stability compared to the base models. — SG
