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The big news today is Ford taking the wraps off its long-awaited Focus ST, but that’s not the only hot hatch Focus that was unveiled. Ford also unveiled the new track ready Focus ST-R; a factory ready racer based on the Focus ST that Ford says will make it easier than ever for privateers to get their hands on a competitive out-of-the-box racecar.
The Focus ST-R was purpose built by Ford Racing in North America with input taken from Ford’s Global Performance Vehicles group, known in the United States as SVT and Europe as RS. If you think that the Focus ST-R outwardly resembles the Focus ST, you’d be correct; Ford says that the Focus ST-R is completely based on the production road car and features both stock body panels, and production-spec parts, where possible. The Focus ST-R also uses the same 2.0-liter EcoBoost I-4 that’s found under the hood of the road-ready Focus ST. There’s no word yet on whether the Focus ST-R has any additional ponies under the hood.
That being said, there are some differences. The Focus ST-R, being a competition-spec car homologated for Grand-Am ST, World Challenge TC and the Canadian Touring Car Series, features an FIA regulation roll cage. Ford also gave the Focus ST-R beefed-up brakes, and a track-tuned suspension.
While the Focus ST-R will initially only be available for sale in North America, Ford hopes that European racing teams will eventually take to it and race it in events like the 24 Hours of Nurburgring. “From the beginning, the Focus and new Focus ST were designed to be driver’s cars,” said Ford director of Global Performance Vehicles and Motorsport Business Development Jost Capito. “Ford Racing in North America has taken this effort and developed the new Focus ST-R and it’s a perfect example of how a great production car inspires a competitive race car for enthusiasts.”
The Focus ST-R will initially only be available to special order from dealers in North America. European sales are to follow.
