2019 Ford Focus - 4th Generation (incl ST)

New Ford Focus ST to downsize to 1,5-litre triple – report

A fresh report out of the United States suggests that the upcoming new-generation Ford Focus ST will downsize from the outgoing model’s turbocharged 2,0-litre four-cylinder unit to a 1,5-litre three-cylinder engine.

According to AutoGuide, the new version of the front-wheel-drive C-segment hot hatch – based on the recently revealed fourth-generation Focus (pictured above in ST-Line guise) – will be unveiled prior to the end of 2018, before going on sale in initial markets the following year.

While the four-pot in the current Focus ST churns out 184 kW, the report speculates that the smaller 1,5-litre turbo-triple expected to do duty in the next-generation version will make up to 205 kW.

AutoGuide adds that the 1,5-litre will in all likelihood be cleaner and more efficient than the current engine, while also offering a cylinder deactivation function. Of course, Ford followed a similar formula with its new Fiesta ST, moving from a 1,6-litre four-cylinder unit to a 1,5-litre three-pot, which in this case makes 147 kW.

In related news, an earlier report suggested that the next-generation, all-wheel-drive Focus RS (slotting in above the Focus ST) would employ a mild-hybrid set-up to boost peak power past 300 kW.

http://www.carmag.co.za/news/new-ford-focus-st-to-downsize-to-15-litre-triple-report/
Meanwhile VW Polo 6 GTI is 2L?
This arrangement makes no sense.
 
Wait, what? New rumour says Focus ST will upsize engine…

Mere days ago, a report out of the United States suggested that the next-generation Ford Focus ST would be powered by a highly tuned version of the Blue Oval brand’s turbocharged 1,5-litre three-cylinder engine. But now a fresh take from the United Kingdom says Ford will actually upsize its hot hatch to a 2,3-litre four-pot.

According to Autocar (which interestingly in 2017 also reported that the new Focus ST would use a 1,5-litre powerplant), Ford will drop the current model’s 2,0-litre engine in favour of a version of the 2,3-litre EcoBoost unit from the Focus RS. In the next-gen Focus ST, the four-cylinder mill is expected to offer a little more grunt than the current model’s 184 kW, while the vehicle itself will weigh less.

The British publication says Ford is “understood to have chosen” the 2,3-litre unit over the 1,5-litre turbo-triple used in the new Fiesta ST since the three-cylinder “would have to be run close to its reliable limit in this guise”. Interestingly, Autocar also reports that this new front-wheel-drive Focus ST will be offered exclusively in six-speed manual guise, with no plans for an automatic transmission.

While that earlier US report suggested we’d see the new Focus ST in production form before the end of 2018, Autocar reckons the reveal has been pushed back to early 2019.

So, who do we believe? Well, the safest bet is to simply wait and see…

http://www.carmag.co.za/news/wait-what-new-rumour-says-focus-st-will-upsize-engine/
 
2019 Ford Focus ST to use 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine

Hot version of latest Focus will be more driver focused and come in manual guise only

Ford is developing its most engaging Focus ST yet with the proven 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine, making the future model its last non-electrified high-performance Focus.

Replacing the old ST’s 2.0-litre engine, the 2.3-litre unit will have close technical links to the aluminium four-pot used by the 345bhp Focus RS but will be adapted for life in the front-wheel drive ST to offer around 250bhp. Since the next RS is due to kick-start hybrid power for Ford's hot models from 2020, the upcoming ST will serve as the final chapter in pure combustion power for Focus hot hatches.

Ford is understood to have chosen the 2.3-litre powerplant, rather than a more powerful version of the 1.5-litre three-cylinder featured in the new Fiesta ST, because the smaller engine would have to be run close to its reliable limit in this guise. The Focus ST competes against the Renault Mégane RS and Peugeot 308 GTi, which come with 276bhp and 266bhp respectively.

The 2.3-litre, on the other hand, which offers up to 370bhp in the Focus RS Red Edition, can be more practically tuned for the Focus ST. It's due to come mated exclusively to a six-speed manual gearbox, with no Powershift automatic option.

This change signals a clear driver focus for the new model, suggesting that the next Focus ST will be a more enthusiastic and playful car to drive. The latest Focus arrived in April with claims from Joe Bakaj, Ford of Europe’s vice president for product development, that it will offer “that fun-to-drive feel” earlier Focus models were famous for across the line-up. The ST will, of course, take this to the next level.

The new Focus is also said to be 88kg lighter, like-for-like, than the old car, suggesting the ST could shed some kilos from the old car’s 1437kg figure. Its structure is claimed to be 20% more rigid, with a 50% improvement around the suspension elements, which should provide Ford engineers with the opportunity to improve the ST's agility without compromising ride quality. This has certainly been the case with the new Fiesta, which has received similar improvements over its predecessor.

Ford had planned to launch its next Focus ST at the end of 2018, but Autocar has learned that the Blue Oval brand has pushed back the car’s arrival into 2019. It’s expected to be revealed in the run up to the 2019 Geneva motor show, with a public debut at the March event. Sales should kick-off by next summer.

The Focus ST will remain the most potent version of the Focus on sale until the next-generation Focus RS arrives in 2020. As scooped by Autocar, that car will use a smaller 2.0-litre engine mated to a hybrid powerplant that’s based around 48V architecture to offer 400bhp.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/2019-ford-focus-st-use-23-litre-ecoboost-engine

ST 1.jpg
ST 2.jpg
 
Next Focus ST 'will have 2.3-litre Ecoboost'

Last week we saw spy shots of a prototype of the next-generation Focus ST undergoing testing... now a new report suggests that Ford won't power its next Golf GTI rival with an uprated Fiesta ST engine, but a detuned version of the Mustang/current Focus RS 2.3-litre Ecoboost powerplant.
An all-new Ford Focus was revealed recently and the Blue Oval is currently developing the Focus ST hot hatch that will rival the likes of the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Hyundai i30N and Renault Megane RS. However, it was unclear whether the upcoming front-wheel-drive hot hatch would feature a 3- or 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine.

This Focus ST prototype was recently spied in heavy camouflage doing high-speed testing at the world-famous Nurburgring. It was clear that the "ST" wore elaborate bumpers while pronounced side sills and a more prominent roof spoiler contributed to a more aggressive stance. A dual exhaust system could be seen at the rear.

According to Autocar, Ford has decided to adapt the 2.3-litre Ecoboost powerplant for the Focus' FWD platform instead of installing a beefed-up version of the Fiesta's 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol "because the smaller engine would have to be run close to its reliable limit" to produce an output that would be comparable to that of the current Focus ST.

The next-generation Focus ST should benefit from the weight-saving and suspension technologies introduced in Ford's all-new premium compact hatchback and will, somewhat surprisingly, be offered exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission, which suggests the 250 bhp (186 kW) machine will be aimed more at driving enthusiasts than luxury-car buyers.

As for the more potent next-generation Focus RS, that is slated for introduction in 2020 and could offer as much as 298 kW and 576 Nm of torque with its 2.3-litre turbopetrol engine mated to a mild hybrid system.

The official reveal of the new Focus ST has been pushed out to the 2019 Geneva Show, the report said. We should see it on our showroom floors mid to late next year.

https://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/next-focus-st-will-have-23-litre-ecoboost/44880/
 
Exactly. Personally I doubt they would have used the 1.5 for the ST, I think someone was picking up stompies and heard ST-Line which is just a styling pack

The reason I hate 'lines', they are misleading. Let there be one ST bull in the kraal, the others can be Sport derivatives.
 
Ford South Africa - Roadmap for 2018

Ford South Africa is going on the product offensive for 2018. Having taken a while to bring Fiesta to the local market, we now have some insight into what else we can expect.

Ford Fiesta

We've just returned from the local launch of the Fiesta compact hatchback. With a trimmed lineup comprising only 1.0-litre turbopetrol and 1.5-litre turbodiesel engines, the Fiesta brings new levels of tech and comfort in its fight against the segment-leading Volkswagen Polo.

Ford Figo (Q2 2018)

The Ford Fiesta has moved upmarket and in the gap below where it used to play, the new Ford Figo is expected to make an entrance.

Ford EcoSport (Q3 2018)

If you think this facelift is a mere nip and tuck, you’re mistaken: Ford has thoroughly enhanced its baby SUV to capitalise on seemingly inexhaustible global demand for compact SUVs. In fact, this latest EcoSport features more than 2 300 new parts.

Ford Focus (Q4 2018)

Ford's popular C-segment hatchback has received a substantial makeover and promises more space, connectivity and better driving dynamics.

Ford Kuga (Q3 2018)

The Ford Kuga range will be expanded in the third quarter of 2018. Currently, the range comprises both petrol, diesel, manual, auto and all-wheel-drive models, so it will be interesting to see what else Ford could add to the range.

Ford Ranger Raptor (2019)

A dedicated performance bakkie is a bold project to embark on, but buoyed by its success with the Raptor name in its left-hand drive only F150 pickup, Ford thought it'd be a good idea to make a Ranger Raptor. As pictures will attest, it certainly looks the part. It will initially be assembled in Thailand and then production will kick off at Ford South Africa's plant in Silverton, Pretoria.

https://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/ford-south-africa---roadmap-for-2018/45010/
 
Hmmm....I have a spotless 2.0 GDI Sport, with less than 55k on the clock. If I can't find the SLK 350 I want, I might trade in for the new Focus. Might get a decent trade in.
 
the first car I got for my 19th birthday had a Ford key I'll have you know. Eventually I chewed through the hard black plastic Ford logo and it was a Mazda key.

What I can say is I am a fan of RCR.
 
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