FORD FOCUS XR4 TURBO

Following its unveiling in Paris earlier this month, Ford has today released a short promotional video for the performance variant of the 2011 Ford Focus - likely to be sold in Australia as the 2012 Ford Focus 'XR4' Turbo.

Sadly, while the video offers the first glimpse of Ford's new hot hatch on the road, the note of the top-shelf EcoBoost engine has been replaced with a music soundtrack.

The second-hottest model in the Focus family (behind the RS) will be known overseas as the ST. However, with the demise of Ford's five-cylinder turbo engine last month, the ST's four-cylinder engine will likely see the Australian XR5 Turbo badge drop a digit to become the XR4 Turbo.

Powered by the top-shelf version of Ford's turbocharged 2.0 litre EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, the new Focus ST is to produce a Golf R-rivaling 184kW.

Torque, performance figures and other technical details have not yet been revealed, but more details are expected at Paris later this month.

A staple of the Focus range since its launch in 1998, a three-door model was expected to join the new Focus line-up around a year after the third generation Focus five-door hatch and sedan hit showrooms.

However, the wait for the three-door will be a little longer: only the five door ST is revealed in the 'preview'.

Although Ford offers the current generation three-door Focus in regular, ST and RS models overseas, only the five-door ST is available in Australia as the XR5 Turbo.

Whether the three-door model will ever be offered locally, in regular or 'hot hatch' trim, remains to be seen.

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• reply ” like !

  Daniel McKenna says,
  2 years ago

  Not liking the reverse rake that is going on!
• reply ” like !

  

  MotorMouth says,
  2 years ago

  The interior seems like a big step up from the current blandness but I think I'll need to see that nose in the metal before I decide whether it looks good or not. I'd definitely consider a 3-door version, although it's unlikely to look as awesome as the forthcoming Megane RS250 Coupe, so maybe a 3-door Focus is not worth Ford's time.
  • reply ” like !

    

    harlem says,
    2 years ago

    Agree that tha interior looks pretty hot although the steering wheel looks a bit busy- I cant see the Aust release being at this spec though, and I'm tipping (and hoping) that they do something with the honeycomb grill. We may finally see some GTi challengers with this and also if HSV get hold of a Cruze hatch and turn out something decent
• reply ” like !

  

  w0203j says,
  2 years ago

  Is it going to have the powershift version? Or it's still a manual only thingy...
• reply ” like !

  Steven Poyser says,
  2 years ago

  No exactly pretty, is it? From the rear it looks as though there is so much going on. But maybe that is just because of the paint finish.
• reply ” like !

  

  Jake02 says,
  2 years ago

  Those taillights! Holy crap!
  
  And those gold wheels (shouldn't that only be on Subies)!!!!!!!
  • reply ” like !

    Steven Poyser says,
    2 years ago

    Haha, priceless reaction. I swear when I saw the first photos released of the standard Focus hatch it wasn't that ugly! Have you seen the fuel filler door? Good way to make use of the awkward shape.
    
    At least the sedan fairs better, not a common thing in a small hatch that gets converted to sedan. I guess they were designed together, rather than the sedan being an afterthought.
    • reply ” like !

      

      Jake02 says,
      2 years ago

      The saloon is a million times better IMO; too bad there won't be an XR4T saloon .
• reply ” like !

  Ward Paterson says,
  2 years ago

  They had a winning shape with the 08-10 version which looked agressive on the road and all, but now, looks like a hair dressers car.
  
  That dash looks like the work of a Hyundai designer too. Way too busy... Keep it simple Ford. The RS is what you should be "focusing" on - it sets the bench mark. The rest of this shyte is just shyte.
  
  
  • reply ” like !

    

    Super Mattthew says,
    2 years ago

    Wow, I'd hate to be a designer. A bunch of people saying they love the interior, and others saying they hate it. Is it anyone wonder they ignore everyone and just go with what THEY want...
• reply ” like !

  

  Callous says,
  2 years ago

  Aweful looking rear. I don't mind the interior though.
  
• reply ” like !

  

  Ches says,
  2 years ago

  Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
  
  It looks like one of those bizarre deep-sea fish that can only survive a mile down and in total darkness. All it needs is some scary looking teeth and a light on a stalk to attract prey.
  
  How could they go from the great looking RS, to that?!?
• reply ” like !

  says,
  2 years ago

  1 like

  Looks sensational. Bring it on!!!!
• reply ” like !

  

  mg81 says,
  2 years ago

  The chavs and bogans have a new leader to worship
  • reply ” like !

    says,
    1 year ago

    What are you talking about?? Chavs and Bogans are all for HSVs, SSs, WRXs and Skylines(Ford not as much as these) . The XR5 has never had that stigma attached to it so I wouldn't why it'd start with the new model.
• reply ” like !

  

  5 valve per cylinder says,
  2 years ago

  Overkill sum it all up for bodywork, paint job and cabin design.. compared to out going Focus RS even with all the bulges is definitely a better looker.
• reply ” like !

  

  MattJ says,
  2 years ago

  twill look pretty nice in real life.
  
  but mg81
  
  i don't see chavs or bogans driving euro hatches...
  
  just fully sick tyfoons and clubby's and xr's and ssv things.
  
  The Focus and Fiestas are in a class of their own.
  
  
• reply ” like !

  

  RSO117 says,
  1 year ago

  I like it. my order is in.......but does it have CRUISE CONTROL???
• reply ” like !

  

  sean Middleton says,
  2 months ago

  This is the car I will wait for instead of the present Focus . I love it and it has so much more in and out of the car . I feel it was made for us three to enjoy for many years to come . Thank you Ford and all the people who made all our dreams come true p.s loving the yellow gold .........