Ford to offer "Performance Pack" on new ST

[JazST]

Why the hell didn't we get this option? I can't find a non print out version of the pres release so I'll quote it for ya's.

2013 Focus ST

2013 Focus ST

Great Numbers: 252 horsepower, 154 mph, 32 mpg, Focus ST Delivers


All-new Ford Focus ST brings the Sport Technologies badge worldwide for the first time, offering the blend of refinement and performance for which ST is renowned

Highly efficient new 2.0-liter EcoBoost® engine helps 154-mph Ford Focus ST achieve class-leading 32 mpg highway, 23 mpg city and 26 mpg combined with 252 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque

Exclusively equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, the Focus ST tops manual transmission MazdaSpeed3 and Volkswagen GTI in fuel economy ratings

The future of Ford performance vehicles in North America is here.

The Focus ST is Ford’s first truly global performance car, building on the heritage of previous Focus ST models in Europe 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.

The five-door Focus ST delivers the same driving attributes that makes all Ford ‘Sports Technologies’ models stand out. The chassis, engine, sound and comfort of the vehicle are tuned to deliver a truly sporty experience combined with a high level of refinement. These same attributes will form the genetic code for future Ford models that might wear the ST badge.

The Focus ST has been designed to appeal to driving enthusiasts the world over,” said Hermann Salenbauch, director, Advanced Product Creation and Global Performance Vehicles. “Our global performance teams based in North America, Europe and Asia have worked together to develop the core product attributes – steering, driving dynamics, sound quality and power enhancements – for all Ford ST models including interior and exterior differentiation. They’ve been defined to the extent that our engineers were able to apply that global DNA fingerprint to the new Focus ST and deliver a distinctive sporting personality all its own.”

Performance meets efficiency under the hood
Focus ST is powered by the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine, which offers an uncompromising mix of performance and efficiency. The 154-mph performance vehicle achieves a class-leading 32 mpg highway, 23 mpg city and 26 mpg combined with 252 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque. This fuel economy tops the MazdaSpeed3 and VW GTI with manual transmissions.

Ford’s lightweight, all-aluminum EcoBoost engines provide the power of a larger engine in a fuel-efficient smaller displacement, leveraging three key technologies.

High pressure direct injection, low-inertia turbocharging and Twin-independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT) create an advanced combustion system which brings new levels of performance and fuel efficiency.

This is the first time Ford has placed an EcoBoost engine in a high performance model, offering drivers impressive power and torque throughout the rev range at their disposal. For everyday driving, however, the characteristics of the Focus ST let them drive in a more fuel efficient way.

Mated to the 2.0-liter engine is a six-speed manual transmission, which has specially revised gearing to produce the maximum punch from each throw of the gear shift. The Global Performance Vehicles group spent significant attention to detail in ensuring the ratio of sixth gear was perfectly in tune with the Focus ST, giving the driver optimum performance while remaining long enough to help maintain excellent fuel economy on longer runs.

Sound and driving dynamics
The previous generation European-engineered Focus ST was acclaimed for its five-cylinder engine sound. With the introduction of a four-cylinder EcoBoost engine into the latest Focus ST, the Ford sound engineers ensured the audible delights from the new engine maintains the same robust tone.

A significant part of this process is the reworking of the famed sound symposer, first found on the previous Focus ST and subsequently employed on the European Focus RS and RS500 models.

Driving dynamics are at the heart of the Focus ST. Innovation and technology combine to create a chassis capable of exceeding the expectations of even the most demanding driving enthusiast, while giving even novice motorists an unforgettable drive.

From the driver’s seat, customers will experience the new-developed Ford Sport Steering System. This variable ratio steering rack is designed to increase the agility of the Focus ST on winding roads yet still inspire the same high-speed confidence.

The unique system makes steering less sensitive when driving in a straight line, but increases the feel during cornering. Drivers can keep their hands firmly gripped on the steering wheel through tight hairpins, maximizing their control over the vehicle. It also has benefits in slow-speed situations such as tight parking maneuvers, with less input needed from the driver to direct the vehicle into the space.

Bold look inside and out
The exhilarating drive of the new Focus ST will have customers spending as much time behind the steering wheel as possible. With that in mind, Ford’s designers have worked hard to ensure the interior of the Focus ST is a great place to be, helping the driver to feel as connected to the vehicle as possible.

The interior of the core Focus model is already designed with a “cockpit” feel. In the ST variant, that sporty feeling is heightened with everything the driver touches and feels reinforcing that it is unmistakably an ST.

Details range from specially designed pedals to the steering wheel and gearshift. The darker headlining and trim on the pillars, an integral part of the ST’s design DNA, adds to the performance driving feel.

On the outside, the iconic Y-shaped wheel spoke design of the European Focus ST has evolved for the new incarnation. A set of 18-inch alloy wheels carry on the recognized Focus ST style but subtle revisions bring them up-to-date for 2012.

ST customers will now have an additional “Performance Pack” option that offers the wheels in black with a high-contrast red finish on the performance brake calipers.

Wrapped around the alloy wheels are high-performance 235/40R18 Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 tires, developed after rigorous testing on all kinds of road surfaces and conditions, including the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany.

The striking one-piece design interpretation of Ford’s signature trapezoidal grille at the front, through the sculpted side skirts and the dynamic rear bumper with prominent diffuser-style vents in the lower fascia, the Focus ST’s design adds aggression and aerodynamic stability compared to the base models.

And the new signature production color, Tangerine Scream, reflects the exciting and energetic character of the Focus ST, but the other available colors – Performance Blue, Race Red and White – also indicate a car built for performance and meant to be seen on the road.

[ST2Focus]

The Performance Pack consists of red finish brake calipers. Come on Ford, are you kidding me? So when it's mentioned black wheels does that mean black rims? Tires are normally black in color. When I hear performance I think of the suspension or the engine.

[gp177]

Further evidence that paint adds horsepower.

[The Chad]

If the only difference is black wheels and red brakes, ill pass unless they are putting different larger brakes on it. Seems like everyone is wanting wider wheels anyway. The package cost is probably silly high.

[ST2Focus]

I'll take some Brembos, Wildwoods, or even SSBCs please. But they definitely need to be some big honking brakes if Ford wants to sell a Performance Package.

[fgramegna]

i hate how all manufacturers drop this "perfromance pkg" and all they're doing is painting the calipers (yes SOME put on brembos and stuff)

[JazST]

I would have went for the black wheels. I could care less about the calipers though.

[rrstkmi]

Why the hell didn't we get this option? I can't find a non print out version of the pres release so I'll quote it for ya's.

It was eliminated to cut costs. Why else?

[ST_at2tud]

If the performance package Ford is offering for the calipers is the same calipers as the regular calipers only painted red........dupli-color has been vedy vedy good to me.

[Rising Sins]

My vote is $1500+Tax. Wheels $1200 and $300 just so ford can grab a brand of high temp paint and pay some 20yo service kid to spray paint them lol. I'm sure both are dealer mods. I remember when my buddy first got his 09 Scion TC they offed him to get his calipers "painted" any color for a list for and extra $500 not joking. I'm sure it was $50 for some high end rip off Toyota paint. but that does not explain $450 for 2 hours of work at a service center. And I bet those black wheels will be the same ones offered on Tire Rack and every where else the "Focus Brand Ford Racing 5 Spoke Gloss black iOMG! every has to have them on their ST Ford Edition" 18X8 5X4.25 53O $250ish Each.