http://wot.motortrend.com/2012-ford-...hp-108239.html

Confirmed to have about 247hp and peak TQ of about 250 with 6 speed manual!

Cant wait for the weekend now!

 

247...sounds a little weak.. hopefully it will be cheaper now.

 

Given the HP from the other hatches in north America, it's a perfect amount. Slotted right between the GTI and MS3. Interested to see a a comparison.

 

Looking forward to seeing it this weekend.

 

Big question is... How much $?

 

Well to stay competitive they'll probably have to have a base price in the 23-25k range and fully optioned can go into the 30-32k range. Just my guess though.

 

Thats the trouble, the titaninum already cost 27k-29k so how could you have a base ST to be under that at all.

 

now this sounds nice!

 

Good point. That worries me then. But then again you can get a mazda 3 hatchback to exceed the base MS3 and the golf to exceed the base GTI. Maybe the overlap will just be more in this application?

Although bad news. Apparently it's a false alarm. Ford meant they'd be showing the CONCEPT again, not the production version. That's gonna be at Frankfurt. Oh well....

 

Not that it matters, but I'm interested in seeing the fuel mileage numbers for the ST.

I want a DD, and if it can get ~40mpg like the "lesser" focuses, then I want one!

 

I think low 30s is all you're gonna get. Along the lines of the GTI

 

Sounds like it won't be there after all. Bummer.

I can't see this car starting at more than $25k. If so, it's going to be a hard one to sell. Besides, you can't go too high if you expect to bring the RS here as well.

 

Agreed. I'm hoping they try to match the value of the MS3. That thing us a beast for 22k.

 

Yeah. A nice MS3 Grand Touring with the HIDs/LED tails was a great bargain. The Gen2 ones aren't as nice IMO. Used to be a big Mazda guy, just fallen off lately with their lackluster design and trying to be something their not. The Mazdaspeed line has fallen off lately.

 

Hopefully they'll listen and change stuff up once the competition starts beating them. I see the GTI still winning comparisons and the ST a close second while the MS3 falls to third.

They have to redesign that car with less torque steer and better MPGs. A little torque steer is fun but ****, it was unmanageable when I floored it on a test drive. The MS6 wasn't as fast but to me it was a better all around car.

 

I agree. With the R20 eventually coming over, it could be the new king. I had a fully bolted MS6, and that thing would walk on MS3s all day with similar mods. The car was a little too obnoxious for me, so I enjoyed the subtle tweaks of the MS6.

I don't see why the ST can't come in and really make a name for itself. Heck, I'd even like to see the Fiesta ST come here. I think that might be even more of a seller, since that segment is empty right now.

 

What I dont understand is why the MS3 gets such bad mpgs. I mean the WRX with the very similar power with AWD gets better mileage.

If the Focus ST comes with 32mpg and base price of 23k I think it will sell. If they brought the fiesta ST here I would hope it would have a base price 2-3k lower than the focus ST but I see them being too close in pricing and cannibalizing each others sales. The only logical thing is to have the focus ST be a little more up market then but in that case sales will suffer I bet.

All will be answered once they reveal pricing which I bet won't be until the end of the year. Maybe at Frankfurt though?

 

And the GTI always wins comparisons because of one thing, refinement. The interior is great, as well as exterior. The engine and transmission are very smooth and it doesn't have too much power. IMO it could stand to have about 20 more HP and some more torque.

I think it's a hard package to beat and so far neither Mazda or Subaru have been able to create an all around great vehicle to match. They're just better it lap times.

I'm confident that ford will step it up with this though.

 

Mazda is notorious for not including a highway gear on their cars. The MS3 and MS6 suffered from that tremendously. I know the 10+ MS3 has a little taller 6th gear, but you're still near 3k RPM at 70mph when you don't need to be.

 

Well I have an 05 Mazda 6 I4 with the 4 speed auto and it can get 30 mpg on the highway. Almost seems like theyve gone backwards or nowhere at all. The current 6 only gets slightly better mileage.

The next MS3 will have to improve to stay competitive (if they
plan to keep it after this generation)

It seems that the cars with over 2.0L get worse mileage. Does that has anything to do with it? It's a marginal difference I would guess.