2012 Ford Focus ST (letdown)

[Whelan]

http://jalopnik.com/5638227/fo...lobalAside from tastefully done body kit and interior appointments, this car is a letdown for me. Sure 246hp is nothing to laugh at, but by 2012 it will already be behind the competition. Subaru offers 265hp in the WRX w/ AWD. And the cousin Mazdaspeed 3 already has a 263hp 2,3L turbo 4 under the hood that has been around (with a few minor changes) since the first MS3 hit the shores the better part of a decade ago. Sorry Ford, I was waiting for good news on the ST, something WOW like AWD, maybe 300hp. You know, what this current MS3 was supposed to be. I guess I'll wait for the good financing deals to pop up on the speed3 and pick one up in grey or red. More power, less wait. Either that or a WRX sedan.

[bull77]

how's the weight compare to the 3?

[ponta2147]

It's so bizarre to see the "frowny face" as a complete opposite of the mazda "smiley face"

[Whelan]

I know the MS3 is 2300lbs. I would have to summize that with new tech and gear and safety stuff in the Focus it will run closer to 2500. It seems they may market the MS3 more hardcore (i.e. only with a manual) and the ST towards a more upscale feel.

[kowell]

HP isn't everything.If europe has been going crazy over this car for the last 10 years, Ford europe must have been doing something right.

[ou.grizzly]

Quote, originally posted by ponta2147 »It's so bizarre to see the "frowny face" as a complete opposite of the mazda "smiley face"Design is more or less likely due to the placement of the inter-cooler for the turbo.

[03VibeOttawa]

Quote, originally posted by kowell »HP isn't everything.If europe has been going crazy over this car for the last 10 years, Ford europe must have been doing something right. On a semi-related note.. am I the only person around who thinks Mazda's new styling direction is awful? All the swoopy grills and lamp treatments.. they are the fugliest new cars on the road IMO.

[ponta2147]

Quote, originally posted by Feelin’ The Vibe »On a semi-related note.. am I the only person around who thinks Mazda's new styling direction is awful? All the swoopy grills and lamp treatments.. they are the fugliest new cars on the road IMO.I think they are super-awesome. Maybe it's because I'm a girly-girl.

[ou.grizzly]

Quote, originally posted by kowell »HP isn't everything.If europe has been going crazy over this car for the last 10 years, Ford europe must have been doing something right. Agreed. The ratings for that vehicle are more than enough and will probably provide good ratings for fuel usage.

[KNINE]

Quote, originally posted by ponta2147 »It's so bizarre to see the "frowny face" as a complete opposite of the mazda "smiley face"Put them together and you'll have the comedy and tragedy masks.

[ponta2147]

Quote, originally posted by K-NINE »Put them together and you'll have the comedy and tragedy masks. That is EXACTLY what I was thinking actually!!! Hahaha I am glad someone else caught that.

[09vGT]

Wow.. I like that!

[NascarXprt]

Quote, originally posted by Feelin’ The Vibe »On a semi-related note.. am I the only person around who thinks Mazda's new styling direction is awful? All the swoopy grills and lamp treatments.. they are the fugliest new cars on the road IMO.the only thing i do not like on the styling direction is those damn grill designs and location. the grills need to have two openings, the top with the mazda logo in the center of the grill and a lower grill opening, not the current ones.... Quote, originally posted by 09vGT »Wow.. I like that!yes! same here. now once my loan is up in 2012 i might take this car into consideration as my next vehicle!

[star_deceiver]

Need more info!!! Weight, gearing, torque curve, cost...The frown kicks ___!!!! Now if it could be had in matte black.....

[Notchy]

The new Mazdas.....fugly

[northvibe]

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »http://jalopnik.com/5638227/fo...lobalAside from tastefully done body kit and interior appointments, this car is a letdown for me. Sure 246hp is nothing to laugh at, but by 2012 it will already be behind the competition. Subaru offers 265hp in the WRX w/ AWD. And the cousin Mazdaspeed 3 already has a 263hp 2,3L turbo 4 under the hood that has been around (with a few minor changes) since the first MS3 hit the shores the better part of a decade ago. Sorry Ford, I was waiting for good news on the ST, something WOW like AWD, maybe 300hp. You know, what this current MS3 was supposed to be. I guess I'll wait for the good financing deals to pop up on the speed3 and pick one up in grey or red. More power, less wait. Either that or a WRX sedan. how is this a let down? the ST has been out since 2005 at about that power level, 225hp. The car you "want" will be the RS.

[ponta2147]

Quote, originally posted by northvibe »how is this a let down? the ST has been out since 2005 at about that power level, 225hp. The car you "want" will be the RS. Off topic, but what do all these acronyms actually stand for, if anything. I know what GT generally stands for, but what does ST and RS stand for (or are they just arbitrary cool-sounding letters)?

[ou.grizzly]

Quote, originally posted by ponta2147 »Off topic, but what do all these acronyms actually stand for, if anything. I know what GT generally stands for, but what does ST and RS stand for (or are they just arbitrary cool-sounding letters)?ST = Sport TechnologiesRS = Rally Sport