Pilots might call it the Focus with afterburners. Everyone else will call it really fast. The new Ford Focus ST features a four-cylinder, direct-injected turbocharged engine with an “overboost” feature that extends peak torque for up to 15 seconds at a time. The gains extend the peak torque from 3,000 rpm to 4,500 rpm, whereas other EcoBoost engines would hit peak torque and begin to drop off at these higher engine speeds. Ford engineers made sure the overclocked EcoBoost 2.0-liter would have a very robust cooling system. “The turbo itself is specified for sustained, high-output performance, but they've programmed the car's computer to dial in more boost past 3,000 rpm to give it that extra something,” says Lisa Schoder, who is Marketing Manager for Focus ST. “We limit peak turbo boost to maintain a wide margin of safety and durability over the life of the car,” Schoder adds. “But overboost is cool in that it tweaks more acceleration through the turbo for brief periods for performance-hungry drivers.” Among the more visible options will be the Tangerine Scream metallic color that will be offered exclusively on Focus ST, as well as race-inspired Recaro seats with matching color accents. The Focus ST is Ford's first truly global performance car, building on the heritage of previous Focus ST models and giving drivers around the world the opportunity to share the exhilarating performance, unrivaled handling, addictive sound and sporty design that Ford's ST badge represents. Shortly after arriving in the Middle East, the Focus ST is becoming popular with strong demand for more units to be available and vehicles getting sold out as soon as they reach dealerships. The Focus nameplate overall has seen great success around the world and beat the competition by clinching “the world's best-selling nameplate for 2012” title. In the Middle East, the momentum continues in 2013 with Focus recording a 50 percent growth in the first four months of the year. — SG
