High Performance 2012 Ford Focus ST

[dtecPwr]

Looks like Ford is finally going to start sharing details with us on the new ST!
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/01/f...ace/#continued

Watching this video and seeing all those damn buttons on the steering wheel really got me thinking. It would be nice if ford offered a drivers version of the ST, meaning that you would get those recaro racing seats and then remove all the other junk that only distracts you from driving like the gazillion steering wheel buttons/sync/nav/auto climate control. I don't need that stuff, all it does is jack up the price and make the car heavier.

Anyone else agree that we need drivers version?

[mmmoose]

Hey I also want to see a "driver's" version of the regular (non-ST) 2012 Focus... but it's not happenin'. The packages are laid out in a way to maximize profits for casual drivers. You get a car that's loaded with gadgets before you can even touch any of the performance/handling equipment. The fact that the Titanium only comes with PowerShift here in America is proof of that.

Unfortunately my gut feeling is that the ST will come standard with all those gadgets in base form also. In all fairness it's not Ford's fault. A lot of other manufacturers are doing the same thing. It's just something they do to justify the higher price. If you want something bare bones and solely based on performance/handling, cars like the Evo and STi fulfill that niche market.

[voortrek3]

As well as the R spec model of the Hyundai Genesis coupe that has all the fluff left off.

[FocusSTHopeful]

MFT standard kills it for me. Ford really needs to work hard to prove to the public the MFT is improved. Drove a friends focus w/ MFt for a day, and hated how laggy, unresponsive, and glitchy it was. I miss old school style knobs and buttons.

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by FocusSTHopeful

MFT standard kills it for me. Ford really needs to work hard to prove to the public the MFT is improved. Drove a friends focus w/ MFt for a day, and hated how laggy, unresponsive, and glitchy it was. I miss old school style knobs and buttons.

I'd it worked well, it would be a welcome feature. But it really doesn't look like it works for everyone.

[2phun]

Another reason I'm not in any rush for them to release the ST. More time to work out the kinks.

[MacAttack]

2 days until the reveal of the production model. Anyone else excited?

[MacAttack]

Details leaked out earlier than I expected!!

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/12/2...tor-show-2011/

There's going to be a Euro-Only Focus ST wagon.
And the production model looks even better than the prototype. I like the seats more too.

I can't wait!

[JDBug182]

W00P! hoping for some better colors though...that yellow is blah...what happened to that bronze color we've all come to know?

[MacAttack]

Originally Posted by JDBug182

W00P! hoping for some better colors though...that yellow is blah...what happened to that bronze color we've all come to know?

It will have the orange, apparently, as well as blue, red, and white.
No black

Still, it looks like they've done a lot for handling, which I'm really excited for.
Also, I should note that those wheels will be 18", not 19".

It will feature a 1cm drop as well, with a stiffer suspension.

I just hope they don't axe the option for a sunroof. I can repaint the car, getting a sunroof installed would be more difficult.