2010 Paris Preview: 2012 Ford Focus ST makes full debut

2012 Ford Focus ST

The 2010 Paris Motor Show press days kick off tomorrow and to keep us excited, FoMoCo has dropped the first real action shot of the 2012 Ford Focus ST.

The 2012 Ford Focus ST is set to hit “all global markets from early 2012”. The standard 2012 Ford Focus hatch and sedan will go on sale in early 2011. Power comes from a 2.0L EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine making 247-hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. The standard transmission for the Focus ST is a 6-speed manual gearbox. No performance figures have been released but Ford says that the Focus ST offers “an intoxicating cocktail of exhilarating performance and handling accompanied by an addictive sound.”

2012 Ford Focus ST - Interior

Prices will be announced closer to launch date.

Hit the jump for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

Click here for our original post on the 2012 Ford Focus ST.

Click through for the press release.

2012 Ford Focus ST:

Press Release:

HIGH PERFORMANCE FORD FOCUS ST TOPS NEW FOCUS FAMILY LAUNCH AT PARIS MOTOR SHOW

  • Global reveal of new high-performance Ford Focus ST planned for Paris, joining the first worldwide display of full production-ready range of Focus body styles; 250 PS Focus ST to launch in 2012
  • New Mondeo and C-MAX ranges on show

  • Ford accelerates efforts to reduce CO2 emissions with high-efficiency ECOnetic technologies and Electrification feature displays

  • Alan Mulally and Stephen Odell unveil the next-generation Focus family on Ford stand at Paris

The next-generation Ford Focus range ““ including a new, high-performance flagship model ““ is the star attraction in Ford Motor Company’s display at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.

For the first time, the complete global Ford Focus line-up of three dynamic production-ready bodystyles ““ sporty five-door, elegant four-door and stylish wagon – are displayed together, providing customers with full insight into this significant new model before it goes on sale in Europe and North America early in 2011.

Ford is also delivering on its promise to introduce a global performance version of the new Focus with a world premiere for the exciting flagship of the range, the muscular 250 PS Focus ST.  The dramatic new ST will launch in early 2012 and will be revealed at the Ford stand by Alan Mulally, Ford president and CEO, and Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe.

First Global Product

The formal launch of the full production-ready Focus range in Paris is significant for Ford, as it signals the introduction of the first truly global product developed from the start under the company”s ONE Ford strategy.

The Focus is Ford’s most significant car range globally ““ and part of the world’s largest and most comprehensive vehicle segment. Developed at Ford’s Global Centre of Excellence for Small Cars in Germany and for sale in over 120 markets worldwide, the next-generation model is the most important Focus yet and is created from Ford’s new global C-segment platform, with up to 80 per cent parts commonality around the world. This platform will underpin at least ten vehicles around the world and account for some two million units of annual production by 2012.

With the complete range of three bodystyles on display in Paris for the first time ““ sporty five-door, elegant four-door and stylish wagon ““ show-goers will have an exclusive opportunity to see and experience the cars individual design and class-leading technology first hand.

Next-generation Focus promises to be the smartest car in the C-segment and is packed with more affordable technologies and features than ever before in this segment. It also offers customers the highest standards of quality and detailed craftsmanship, outstanding fuel economy and takes the legendary Focus driving dynamics to a new level.

Previewing the exciting new Focus ST

At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Ford Motor Company’s group vice president for Global Product Development, Derrick Kuzak, promised an exciting new performance version of the next generation Ford Focus.

At Paris, Ford is revealing an early preview model of the next-generation Ford Focus ST. Targeted for launch in all global markets from early 2012, the all-new Ford Focus ST will be Ford’s first high-performance model developed under its global Performance Vehicles strategy.

The new range-topping Focus ““ which features a unique 250 PS version of the 2.0-litre Ford EcoBoost engine ““ will be completely true to Ford’s ST heritage, offering driving enthusiasts exhilarating performance and handling accompanied by an addictive sound.

Visitors to the Paris display also cannot fail to notice the show car”s highly distinctive sports exterior, which is finished in ‘Tangerine Scream’, a dramatic new body colour that reflects the new ST”s exciting and energetic character.

New Mondeo and C-MAX on Display

Taking their place alongside the next-generation Focus family will be five-door and wagon versions of the new Mondeo range, which was previewed at the recent Moscow International Automobile Salon.  The Paris show sees the debut of the ultra-low CO2 Mondeo ECOnetic version. The Ford stand also showcases the latest
S-MAX and Galaxy models which were launched earlier in 2010.

The all-new Ford C-MAX and Grand C-MAX will be represented by high-series Titanium models fitted with a Ford EcoBoost 1.6-litre 180 PS petrol engine and the updated 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi diesel. Bringing new levels of style and desirability to the compact Multi-Activity Vehicle (MAV) market, the all-new Ford C-MAX is the first production model using Ford’s exciting new global C-segment platform. The Grand C-MAX also goes on sale in North America in late 2011.

Lower CO2 Emissions Across the Ford Range

Ford is accelerating its efforts to minimise fuel consumption and CO2 emissions across its product range, and two important new entries to the Ford of Europe product portfolio are being displayed at Paris ““ the new Ford Mondeo ECOnetic and the Ford Ka with standard Ford Auto-Start-Stop system.

These new models follow the significant new developments which have already been introduced during 2010, including the launch of the new high-efficiency Ford EcoBoost turbocharged direct injection petrol engine family and completely updated versions of the powerful yet highly fuel-efficient Duratorq TDCi diesel engines.

Ford is also moving forward with its European electrification program and will be displaying for the first time the technology destined to drive its C-MAX plug-in hybrid vehicle, which will be produced at the Valencia plant in Spain and is due to go on sale in Europe in 2012. A version will also be sold in North America.

Along with the wider introduction of low-CO2 Ford ECOnetic Technologies such as Eco Mode and Smart Regenerative Charging, Ford of Europe is on track to surpass its goal of a 30 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions from its new vehicles by 2020, relative to a 2006 model year baseline.

“The launch of the complete new Focus range, plus the global debut of the high-performance ST model, makes this Paris Show not only very exciting for Ford, but also highly significant,” said Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe.

“With the all-new C-MAX also on the Paris stand, along with the latest Mondeo,
S-MAX and Galaxy models, it”s clear that the pace of change within Ford remains as aggressive as ever.”

– By: Omar Rana