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04-11-2011
Focus ST, Ford’s First Global Performance Car,
Pairs Performance with Comfort, Style with
Power
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All-new Ford Focus ST brings the Sport Technologies badge
to customers worldwide for the first time, offering that blend
of refinement and performance for which ST is renowned |
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Focus ST will be available in more than 40 markets including
the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South Africa, Australia, New
Zealand and 15 countries in Europe |
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The Ford Global Performance Vehicles group – a
partnership between Europe’s Team RS and North
America’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) – is responsible for
the engineering of the Focus ST |
Beginning next year with the Ford Focus ST, North American drivers will
be able to own a performance car previously unavailable on this
continent.
The Focus ST is Ford’s first truly global performance car, building on
the heritage of previous Focus ST models in Europe and giving drivers
around the world the opportunity to share the exhilarating performance,
excellent handling, addictive sound and sporty design Ford’s ST badge
represents. The North American production car makes its U.S. debut this
month at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Ford ST global DNA
Beneath the skin of the new Focus ST lies the DNA for the ST range.
Working together, the Global Performance Vehicles group – made up of
Team RS in Europe and Special Vehicle Team (SVT) in the United States –
devised a strategy for all future global performance Ford cars.
“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.”
The new Focus ST has key physical DNA attributes like the aggressively
enhanced front and rear bumpers, the addition of a rear spoiler and side
skirts, plus unique signature colors.
The five-door Focus ST delivers the same driving attributes that make
all Ford ST models stand out. The chassis, engine, sound and comfort of
the car are tuned to deliver a truly sporty experience combined with a
high level of refinement. These same attributes will form the genetic
code for future models bearing the Sport Technologies badge.
Performance meets efficiency under the hood
Focus ST is powered by the 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost® engine, which offers
an uncompromising mix of performance and efficiency. 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 camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) create an advanced
combustion system that brings new levels of performance and fuel
efficiency.
The EcoBoost 2.0-liter in the Focus ST reduces both CO2 emissions and
fuel consumption.
“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.”
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 gearshift. The Global Performance Vehicles group devoted
significant attention to detail to ensure 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.
Five-cylinder sound
The previous-generation European Focus ST was acclaimed for its
five-cylinder engine sound. With the introduction of the four-cylinder
EcoBoost into the new Focus ST, Ford sound engineers ensured the audible
delights from the new engine maintain 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 European Focus RS and RS500 models.
“People loved the sound of the previous Focus ST,” said Capito. “The
physics and acoustics of a five-cylinder engine compared to a
four-cylinder are very different, but like Beethoven and Mozart – both
of whom created fantastic, yet very different music – we believe the
engine note of the new Focus ST will delight enthusiasts in the same way.”
It’s not only the engine note that sounds fantastic on the new Focus ST.
The exhaust system – with unique center-exit tailpipes – is tuned to
deliver a perfectly balanced audible experience. Drivers will be
rewarded with an orchestra of sporty sounds to heighten the driving
experience, but should they desire a more relaxing drive, the refinement
of the cabin and tuning of exhaust and engine note will give them
exactly that at lower rpm.
Thrilling driving dynamics
Incredible 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 enthusiast, while giving novice
drivers an unforgettable experience.
From the driver’s seat, customers will experience the newly 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 sensitivity during cornering. Drivers
can keep their hands firmly on the steering wheel through tight hairpins,
maximizing their control over the car. It also has benefits in
slow-speed situations such as tight parking maneuvers, with less input
needed from the driver to direct the car into the space.
Focus ST’s electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) also is enhanced with
Ford’s torque steer
compensation. More aggressive tuning of the torque steer compensation
allows drivers to accelerate at full throttle yet still find grip on
roads with uneven surfaces. The system detects the torque steer that
those conditions can create and communicates with the EPAS software,
which then counteracts the effect to virtually eliminate the sensation
for the driver.
Further enhancements have been made to the Focus ST’s Electronic
Stability Control (ESC), with emphasis placed on driver enjoyment.
Drivers will have three modes of ESC to choose from. These can be
selected according to weather and road conditions or simply to match the
driver’s desire for help from additional driving aids.
In the first instance, ESC works much the same way as the innovative
system found on the
base-model Focus, though for ST it is tuned to be nonintrusive. This
standard mode supports the
driver on all surfaces – dry, wet or snowy – providing the confidence to
drive safely regardless of the conditions.
The driver can opt to select the second mode, called reduced or
wide-slip mode, in which the traction control is turned off. Here,
traction is handled by the driver, while the ESC is programmed to
intrude only when absolutely necessary.
ESC can be switched off completely, resulting in the Focus ST in its
purest form, giving full control of the chassis to the driver who is in
a position to exploit it, such as on a racetrack. Only the sub-features
– such as enhanced Torque Vectoring Control (ETVC) – remain active,
optimizing the enjoyment of the Focus ST’s abilities.
Enhanced Torque Vectoring Control
Through the corners, ETVC is an essential aid for Focus ST drivers, a
tuned version of the Torque Vectoring Control found on the base-model
Focus. The standard system uses torque vectoring by braking, in which
brake torque is applied to the inner wheel of the Focus through a
corner, reducing understeer and allowing for more traction, much like a
traditional limited-slip differential.
The Focus ST’s ETVC applies steering pressure more aggressively and also
adds cornering control, which applies torque to create a yaw effect
based on the car’s understeer, both in power-on and power-off conditions.
Combined, they ensure ETVC is a crucial element in helping make the
front-wheel-drive Focus ST a true driver’s machine, able to tackle any
corner with confidence.
Sports suspension
Working in harmony with the advanced driver-assistance features is the
finely tuned suspension
setup of the new Focus ST. Upgraded shock absorbers and springs lower
the ST chassis for a more aggressive stance while the center of gravity
is brought closer to the road, which aids precise cornering.
The rear suspension has been revised with a number of new parts
developed specifically for Focus ST. Key components are the uprated
suspension knuckles and an all-new anti-roll bar design, both the result
of the development team’s desire to give drivers an outstanding amount
of feedback and control.
Iconic alloy wheels
The iconic Y-shaped spoke design of the European Focus ST has evolved
for the new incarnation. A set of 18-inch alloy wheels carries on the
recognized Focus ST style, and subtle revisions bring it up to date for
2012.
Wrapped around the alloy wheels are high-performance 235/40R-18 Goodyear
Eagle F1
Asymmetric 2 tires, developed after rigorous testing on all kinds of
road surfaces and in all kinds of conditions, including the Nürburgring
in Germany.
“The same tires will be offered on the Focus ST in every country,” said
Matthias Tonn, chief
program engineer for the Focus ST. “They are designed to extract the
best performance from the car on all road conditions. They don’t
compromise on performance, and they get the best out of the chassis and
driver systems of the car.”
Bold and muscular outside
In North America the new Focus ST will be available as a five-door
hatchback. The new signature production color, Tangerine Scream,
reflects the exciting and energetic character of the Focus ST, but the
other available colors in North America – Performance Blue, Race Red,
Oxford White, Tuxedo Black and Ingot Silver – also indicate a car built
for performance.
“The changes we made to deliver superior aerodynamics and vehicle
performance have made the new Focus ST even more sporty and distinctive,”
explained Martin Smith, executive design director, Ford of Europe.
“Exciting new design treatments at the front and rear give the ST a more
dynamic and purposeful character, making it very clear this is
definitely a sporting Focus.”
From the striking one-piece design interpretation of Ford’s signature
trapezoidal grille at the front, through the sculpted side skirts and
dynamic rear bumper with prominent diffuser-style vents in the lower
fascia, Focus ST’s design adds aggression and aerodynamic stability
compared to the base models.
Drivers following Focus ST will notice the highly effective roof
spoiler, optimized to deliver
improved high-speed stability and reduced drag. They will also see the
unique center-exit exhaust with a tailpipe design influenced by the
exclusive hexagonal mesh of the front bumper.
Stylish and sporty inside
Inside, Ford designers worked hard to ensure the driver feels as
connected to the car as possible. Sporty Recaro seats – available in
partial or full leather – help deliver a unique, cockpit look and
provide exceptional support and comfort.
Building on the Focus’ cockpit feel, the ST’s sporty feeling is further
heightened. 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 feel.
Rooted in history, built for the future
The all-new Ford Focus ST boasts almost double the output from its
2.0-liter EcoBoost than the
original European Focus ST. Yet the dynamic driving hallmarks of that
original hot Focus can also be found in this new edition.
Bron | Media Ford
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