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It has been a while since the Ford Focus got its global launch. Enthusiasts are eagerly waiting for the go-faster version of the hatch to surface. Interestly, several pictures of the hot hatch surfaced on a private forum. Looking less aggressive and sleeker than its predecessor, the 2019 Focus ST still features a prominent honeycomb mesh grill at the front. Other than a new front and rear bumper, the car also gets new side skirts and gloss black door handles. Inferring from the photos that we saw from Carscoops, one can see an uprated high-performance braking system with red calipers and new wheels. Moving inside, one of the more obvious changes compared to the normal hatch is the hugging Recaro sport seats with ST badge and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with white contrast stitching. Powertrain wise, nothing has been confirmed but the car is likely to use a 2.3-litre EcoBoost four cylinder that should output more than 247bhp in the last ST. There is also no word on when the car will be launched in 2019.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oapP8qzehI In a recent episode of Head to Head, Carlos Lago pits the Ford Focus ST against its arch rival, the VW Golf R. Not only that, the Focus ST has to face off against the Subaru BRZ subsequently, a situation which I will explain later on. Hence, the Focus ST is in a situation similar to a participant in WWE's 'King of The Ring' tournament. Can the hottest version of the Focus take the heat? Both the Golf R and Focus ST are powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged power plant. The models in the test are equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission. Even their horse power ratings are quite close to each other - 256bhp for the German and 252bhp for the American. However, the Golf R has an AWD configuration while the Focus ST sends the power to the front wheels. As the stability control in the US Golf R cannot be turned off, it was replaced with the Subaru BRZ during the race track portion of the evaluation. This part of the test is conducted by Randy Pobst, a professional race car driver. He commented that the BRZ has probably the best balanced handling on the whole market right now. Tough luck for the Focus ST it may seem. Tighten your seat belts and watch the video to find out!

[extract] The Euro5 emissions standard must be pretty stringent as it now adds another sporty type of car to its list of victims, the Ford Focus ST. This news is somewhat saddening as it comes right after Honda

Shown here in pre-production form, the hottest member of the new Focus family (before Ford decides to present a successor to the RS), will go on sale in global markets from early 2012, following the introduction of the mainstream Focus models in Spring of 2011. The styling package includes a new front bumper with a 'gaping mouth' grille and additional air ducts, side skirts, a larger roof spoiler and a rear apron with air vents and central exhaust pipes. The show car is finished in a new color Ford calls 'Tangerine Scream' while the ST also gets a set of beefy 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 235/35 ZR 19 rubber. Inside, the Focus ST gets a pair of body-hugging bucket seats with contrasting orange seams and pads, a sportier-looking steering wheel with thicker rim, carbon fiber trim on the center console and revised instrument gauges. Under the bonnet, out goes the Volvo-sourced 225HP 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine, and in comes Ford's own 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder EcoBoost unit, which is rated at 250-horsepower. Ford did not reveal any other details on the car's specifications, but the interior picture shows a six-speed manual gearbox, which drives the ST's front wheels. The final production model will most likely be offered with the company's six-speed Powershift dual-clutch transmission also. At the Paris Motorshow, the ST will be joined by the regular Focus family members and the facelifted Mondeo.

Say goodbye to the inline 5 pots turbo unit in the existing Ford Focus ST. According to Ford's product development boss, Derrick Kuzak, the new ST will make use of the company's new EcoBoost engine. "Our commitment is to deliver an exciting performance model of the new Focus on a global basis and using a version of our advanced new Ford EcoBoost petrol direct-injection turbo engine," said Kuzak back in March. "We're not ready to reveal more details yet, but we recognize how important this model will be in the Focus line-up, particularly for customers in Europe." The new Focus ST will either get the Mondeo's 2.0 240HP unit, or perhaps an even more powerful version churning out around 250HP. In addition to the EcoBoost engine, the new Focus ST will get a tweaked chassis with upgraded suspension, steering wheel and brake systems, as well as upgraded alloy wheel / tire combos. A Ford insider has reportedly confirmed to Autoexpress magazine that the hotted-up ST version of the new Focus hatchback will make its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September.

Last week I took some time out to get behind the wheel of the Ford Focus ST. Not the typical and traditional choice for hot-blooded individuals looking for the thrill of speed, the ST has been blazing its path and winning hearts in countries outside of Asia with its stunning looks and scorching performance. Can anyone remember the Ford Escort Cosworth? Well, the ST comes under the same family line. When it comes to hatches, in particular the hot ones, the VW Golf GTI clicks to mind instantly doesn't it? Well fitted interior, comfortable and good quality materials all over, a much acclaimed turbocharged 2.0-litre unit that delivers its power through VW's DSG gearbox, and all tied in by the GTI's aggressive looks and long long line of performance cars dating back to the mid-70s. More notable on the list of electronic systems in the car is the GTI's Dynamic Chassis Control that lets the driver choose between three settings to match his need for some inspired driving or something more towards comfort. The last option being the automatic setting. The Focus ST however, doesn't have any of that. It doesn't have an awesome cabin design upholstered in tact rubber and leather and, unfortunately, with having its name changed from the Escort days, doesn't have a family line of hot blooded cars to call its own either. What it has, however, is a sixer of a manual gearbox, a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine and Ford's legendary front-wheel drive handling prowess. With ESP turned off, the tyre cries its rubber out having the clutch thrown at 3,000 rpm in first...cries a lil more in second and the torque manages to get the tyres chirping a tad in third. The short shifts and perfectly weighted clutch gets your pulse racing as the 5 pot engine's almost V8 burble cheers you on into getting that foot planted even further into the ground. An exhilarating experience for sure....oddly, it felt so much more exciting than driving the Audi R8 V10 at Sepang. Here's the review I did of the ST...a car that rewards its owners each time they're behind the wheel.