Ford has been inviting critics to Southern France to test out the upcoming 2013 Ford Focus ST before American drivers have the chance to get behind the wheel. This model hosts a 2.0 liter EcoBoost four cylinder engine. This gives 252 horsepower and 270 pound feet of torque which isn’t shabby at all considering the lightweight and smaller size of one of Ford’s favorite vehicles. It is rumored that this model will be starting at around $24,495 after destination fees. This is much less than some of its top competitors including the five door Volkswagen GTI which starts at $25,365 and the Mazdaspeed3 which starts at $24,795. Mazda does carry about 11 more ponies, but Ford seems to have it for technology and driveability.
The 2013 Ford Focus ST is the least Focus inspired of all other Focus models because of the sportier, hothatch image it needs to maintain. It has a “Burning Man” mask with a gaping air intake to the side sills, throwing star alloys and the rear bumper has a distinctive double hexagon center exhaust finisher. The attention garnering rear wing puts the icing on the cake.
The interior includes the sporty, yet festive styling added to the 2013 Ford Focus ST including matching color inserts added to the optional Recaro chairs. If you decide against the Recaro seating, you can have the traditional sports seats that are currently found in the Focus SE version. Along with sporty seats there is a trio of auxiliary gauges in a dash-top binnacle, an “enhanced for comfort” four spoke leather wrapped steering wheel, custom styled gearshift knob, metal pedal pads and ST badges put wherever they could possibly fit.
There are no official EPA fuel ratings in yet, but word has it that Ford is expecting at least 30 miles per gallon. This is in line with the Focus’s main competitors, although one mile per gallon less than the Volkswagen GTI.
Source Autoblog