Ford Puts Performance On Display In Frankfurt

At the Frankfurt Motor Show last week, Ford annouced it was accelerating its new global performance strategy with the debut of the production version of the all-new Ford Focus ST and a concept for a future Fiesta ST.

Both ST (Sport Technologies) models will share the same DNA worldwide, giving customers performance, harmonious balance and high levels of refinement regardless of their geographic region.

“We’re leveraging our global product platforms to create great new performance vehicles like the Focus ST,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “By taking advantage of platform efficiencies and focusing our performance engineering resources globally, we can bring performance vehicles to more customers in more markets, plus we’re better positioned for Ford products to compete successfully in global motorsport.”

With the launch of the new Focus ST, which is based on the global Ford Focus, more drivers from more countries than ever will find out just why the ST badge is held in such high regard. Here in North America, the new Focus ST five-door will be the market’s first compact performance Ford since the first-generation SVT Focus.

“You will be able to buy the same Focus ST in New York, Sydney or London,” said Matthias Tonn, chief program engineer, Focus ST. “We are delivering this car to markets around the world where fast cars are desired. And no matter where you get into the driver’s seat, you will have the same performance, same style and same fantastic ST experience.”

The question that Ford execs and engineers wrestled with was simple: Can performance enthusiasts from around the world be satisfied with just one car? Ultimately, by creating a car that possessed finely honed performance characteristics, they came to the conclusion that they could appeal to enthusiasts around the world with a single model.

“Our global Performance Vehicles group soon realized that performance enthusiasts around the world are not so different,” said Jost Capito, Ford director of global Performance Vehicles and Motorsport Development. “Exhilarating performance, fine handling, exciting looks and that feel of driving something special are universal desires of enthusiasts, whether they’re driving California highways or damp British B-roads.”

The Fiesta ST Concept, inspired by the Ford Fiesta WRC, features a dynamic sports chassis and a high-performance powertrain with a 1.6-liter Ford EcoBoost engine, yet is capable of delivering impressive fuel economy.

With the Focus ST and Fiesta FT, it’s clear that Ford is continuing to use experience gained on the track to fuel performance enhancements on future production cars. Stay tuned for more details on these exciting models.

Source: Ford in the News