How Ford Is Revolutionizing the Hot Hatch Segment - The Cheat Sheet
After the debut of the Focus ST in 2012 and the Fiesta ST the following year, Ford Performance Vehicles is set to release the 345 horsepower, all-wheel drive Focus RS in spring 2016. Despite the hype surrounding its arrival, the decision to bring... Rewind to summer 2012, when Ford faced the same dilemma with the Focus ST. The international hot hatch segment was already flooded with tried and true competition from Japanese and European automakers, so the demand for a likely inferior domestic... But with a resounding burble resonating through its center-exit exhaust, the Focus ST answered its critics loud and clear. A six-speed manual gearbox was standard, and a 2. 0 liter four-cylinder with 252 horsepower and 270 pound-feet ensured the ST had ample performance to back up its boy-racer styling. If those numbers don’t excite you, Ford Performance now offers a power upgrade pack for ST owners that increases torque an additional 90 pound-feet without voiding your factory warranty. According to a Ford press release in 2013, the Focus ST was a sales hit, in the U. S. and attracted many younger buyers to the brand. Strong Focus ST sales numbers and its renowned acclaim made the Fiesta ST’s rollout in spring 2013 a bit easier. Source: www.cheatsheet.com
