2012 Ford Focus ST coming to make North American debut in LA

As confirmed last week, Ford will show the new 2012 Focus ST at the 2011 LA Auto Show next week. The Dearborn automaker has just released a bunch of new images of the U.S.-spec Focus ST, which will go on sale on our side of the world starting early next year. Overall, the Ford Focus ST will be available in 40 markets across the world.

“Focus ST has not come around by chance,” said Jost Capito, director of Global Performance Vehicles. “What came first was our global performance strategy, which has been developed with North America, Europe and Asia together. With this, the core DNA attributes – steering, driving dynamics, sound quality and power enhancements for all ST models – have been defined to the extent that our engineers can take that global DNA fingerprint and use it to create the new Focus ST.”

Available in the 5-door hatchback version, the 2012 Focus ST is powered by a 2.0 liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder turbo making 247 horsepower with a maximum torque of 265 lb-ft. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, allowing it to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph.

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“This is the first time we have used a Ford EcoBoost engine in a high-performance model, and the result will leave drivers smiling,” said Capito. “They will have a lot of power and torque at their disposal throughout the rev range. For everyday driving, though, the characteristics of this car will let them drive in a more fuel-efficient way than previously, which is an essential part of the ST’s DNA.”

We’ll have live photos of the 2012 Ford Focus ST next week from the 2011 LA Auto Show floor. Stay tuned for more.

– By: Omar Rana