2013 Ford Focus ST Engine Concept

2013 Ford Focus ST Concept - We have even navigated a few of these routes round Nice in a performance-minded Ford Focus. Two years ago, Blue Oval operatives brought us to this identical space for an early drive of their C-Max individuals mover, spicing up the trip by giving us a brief stint behind the wheel of their then-new Focus RS500, a restricted version matte-black monster marshaling a scarcely believable 345 horsepower and 338 pound-toes of torque by means of the entrance wheels. As we speak, though, our 2013 Ford Focus ST driving companion is toned-down but no much less outré because of its Tangerine Scream paint.

The Mazda carries a slightly bigger stick, though: 263 ponies and 280 torques, coming in at $24,795.

Pretty? Effective? Indisputably.

The cabin of our tester carries on the outside's golden zeal, with shouty yellow cloth inserts within the non-compulsory Recaro chairs (base ST models receive the game seats borrowed from the Focus SE) and contrasting stitching, although charcoal is an accessible option. Considerably, the Focus ST is the first global efficiency mannequin to return out of CEO Alan Mulally's One Ford blueprint. The ST's dynamic bits are exactly the identical within the U.S. as they are in Europe.

Chief on our day's mission traveling by way of Provence can be to find out how efficiently Ford has quelled torque steer fears on this highly effective front-driver. Underneath most circumstances, torque steer is essentially absent due to the inclusion of a compensation mechanism that detects the situation after which uses the electrical power steering system to counterbalance the phenomenon, curbing energy assist within the route the steering wheel is generally turned. Ford has included an electronic limited-slip differential, which relies on the traction management software to individually brake the front wheel experiencing deteriorating traction, diverting energy to the wheel with purchase. There's also Cornering Under Steer Control, a little bit of code that makes use of torque to induce yaw and curb plow based on estimates of the automobile's supposed trajectory previous to the steadiness management system kicking in.

Variable ratio rack, torque vectoring, e-diff, understeer management and the small matter of 270 pound-feet of torque signifies that you will not confuse the steering experience with a rear-drive automotive, though you can rotate the ST's rump in corners by sharply letting off the throttle when the electronic stability control is in Sport mode (or despatched packing fully). Unusually, there's no sport button to summon increased steering effort or suspension firmness, but it won't be missed.

The brake pedal is not any much less agreeable than the throttle, with 12.6-inch discs up entrance and 10.7-inch rears acted upon smoothly by an easily modulated and pleasantly firm pedal. The 2.0T sounds good whereas doing it too, as Ford has included the "Active Sound Symposer" know-how seen on the last Focus ST and RS to reinforce the engine's in-cabin sound. The result's more engine sound whenever you need it - below onerous acceleration, significantly in lower gears - and fewer engine drone on the freeway while you don't. We just lately spent a week in a standard Focus manual mannequin, and it might use the extra cog, too (trace, trace).

2013 Ford Focus ST engine

It is an open question how nicely this Ford's front Macpherson strut/rear control blade suspension will deal with chuckholes, frost heaves and mid-nook bumps under power, as France's nicely-maintained roads merely refused to oblige our curiosity. Ford says the first STs will start arriving in dealers this September. Ostensibly, Mulally's One Ford agenda opens up the door to much more delicious offerings like a future RS variant, however officers dutifully refuse to confirm plans for a good increased-performance Focus.