New Ford Focus ST (2011) at Paris

The 250bhp 2011 Focus ST

Ford did threaten that a performance version of the 2011 Ford Focus would be a world car. We all jumped to the conclusion that would be an all new 2012 Focus RS – and it still probably will be – but if Ford need a get out of jail free card on the performance promise the 2011 Focus ST could be it.

It appears that Ford are taking the first performance version of the new Focus to the Paris Motor Show in October. It seems likely the new Focus ST will feature a tweaked version of the 2.0 litre Ecoboost engine – recently shoved in the Mondeo where it produces 200bhp – which should manage to deliver 250bhp in the new Focus ST.

If Ford do endow the new Focus ST with 250bhp that should give it performance on a par with the old Focus RS – 0-60mph under 6 seconds and 163mph –  leaving plenty of room for the Hybrid 2012 Focus RS to break past the 350bhp level in standard trim and offer a 5 second 0-60mph.

You can expect some fettling of the suspension on the ST and an updated version of Ford’s Revoknuckle to keep the front wheels under control. The regular 2011 Focus will start to hit the roads in Spring 2011. Expect the new Focus ST to arrive in the Autumn of 2011 and the new 2012 Focus RS in mid-2012.

Even better Essex wideboy fun to come.

By Cars UK