We cornered Jost Capito at Ford's Eve of Show event for the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show and started firing questions about the 2013 Ford Focus ST at him. Below is a sampling of his responses:
So this car doesn't use the RevoKnuckle-type suspension setup to control torque steer like the Focus RS did?
Capito: No, for torque steer compensation, we're using an electronic system -- torque vectoring... The RevoKnuckle works mechanically, and the torque vectoring works by engaging the brakes.
So there's a difference in cost?
Capito: Yes. This is software, whereas the RevoKnuckle adds two extra parts. It also adds weight, so we decided for the ST, [torque vectoring] was the right technology. It's track-capable, but compared to the RS, it's less of a track car.
The press material mentions you're using new rear suspension knuckles. Are these for larger wheel bearings and/or brakes?
Capito: They allowed us to fit larger antiroll bars with different routing. We need much more roll stiffness for the ST, but we couldn't get this roll stiffness with the base setup, so we went with a completely new design.
Will the U.S.-spec ST really have summer tires? Will all-seasons be an option?
Capito: We would like to get people to get summer tires and winter tires. With summer tires, you get the vehicle dynamics that it's fun to drive. If you put all-seasons on, you lose quite a bit of that.
What about the Recaro seats? Will we really get those?
Capito: Yes. They will at least be an option.
When will the Focus ST hatchback go on sale in the U.S.?
Capito: 2012. Not early spring. Not in the winter.
So the GTI and Mazdaspeed 3 are this car's key competitors... Do you think you can get it priced in their territory?
Capito: We have to, don't we?
(Then he reminds me that the U.S.-spec Focus ST will be built in Michigan.)
Capito: We couldn't put the price in line with the competition if we had to ship all the vehicles [from Europe].
Any chance of a dual-clutch transmission in the future?
Capito: Maybe. (He notes that the 'box used on the pedestrian Focus can't handle the torque loads of the ST motor.)
Any chance we'll ever get the Focus ST wagon?
Capito: I don't think so. If the Focus wagon was already in the U.S. [in conventional specification], it would be a no-brainer.
_feloniousmonk says:
04:47 PM, 09/12/11
No RevoKnuckle will only suck if this "torque-vectoring" screws with acceleration. I also read alsewhere they would be using the electric power-steering in conjunction with the brakes to control the torque steer. If so, that could mess up steering feel, and that also suck.
Q: "When will the Focus ST hatchback go on sale in the U.S.?"
Capito: "2012. Not early spring. Not in the winter."
So... late Spring/Summer or Fall, then?
clarence6 says:
04:49 PM, 09/12/11
Wow - awesome work getting more info. Very interesting about the summer tires. I love the taillights on the wagon. It looks like our hatch ST will also have LEDs in the front and back, but hard to say for certain.
opfreak says:
06:10 PM, 09/12/11
depending on price I might get this. revo knuckle swap ;-P
sherief says:
06:15 PM, 09/12/11
Looks like it'll be a fun daily driver, and will undoubtedly be cheaper to maintain than a GTI. I'll best test driving this.
stovt001 says:
10:38 PM, 09/12/11
So they have to use electronic nannies to apply the brakes to slow the car because proper solution to compensate for the wrong-wheel drive setup won't be used. Hmm, my enthusiasm just plummeted.
subytrojan says:
11:31 PM, 09/12/11
GTI FTW? :o)
lostboyz says:
03:47 AM, 09/13/11
torque vectoring is used even on a mclaren mp4, so I wouldn't be automatically disappointed because you don't get a revoknuckle.
elgac says:
06:10 AM, 09/13/11
I love the Focus ST and Fiesta ST.
Not sure which I would go for.
ed124c says:
06:14 AM, 09/13/11
"If the Focus wagon was already in the US...... it would be a no-brainer"
What the hell kind of reasoning is this? He is basically saying that Ford can't give us ANY new cars
EVER because they aren't already sold in the US!
I wish Erin had followed up on this with Capito.
Acura has a four door sedan named the TSX, but they can't sell the wagon version in the US because there isn't already a wagon being sold in the US? Aagh!
lostboyz says:
06:39 AM, 09/13/11
@ed124c, he meant we don't get a hot version of something we don't even have the regular version of. If there was the regular version already then offering the hot version is an almost no cost option for them. To just bring one version means a whole set of crash and epa testing which costs a lot of money.
subytrojan says:
07:08 AM, 09/13/11
lostboyz, I think we can assume the MP4-12C's torque vectoring is in a different league than the Focus ST's. The Focus' sounds a lot like Volkswagen's XDS (Cross Differential System) that is employed on the current GTI and GLI.
transpower says:
09:38 AM, 09/13/11
I'm not a fan of Ford's new styling; the front looks similar to the face of a muskrat....
fizzump04 says:
09:54 AM, 09/13/11
I'm hoping they do include a dual-clutch option, one that is as quick and responsive as VW's DSG.
eldaino2 says:
08:00 PM, 09/13/11
stovt001: dont be too hasty. as an ex-Gti owner, i'll be the first to tell you that, no, it isnt cheap to maintain.
you know why?
dsg: expensive to maintain
turbo motor: not the run of the mill engine in the lineup, and is direct injected, which always requires more long term maintenance.
however, this focus is already shaping up to be all those things, and according to fords rep, maybe even a dsg type transmission.
if the focus is cheaper to maintain, it wont be by much, not enough to tout it as an advantage.
they styling, while i like it, imo wont stand the test of time as well as the more restrained vw, but it will probably be closer to the mazdaspeed3 with regards to handling, making it a better drivers car than the gti
canuckrs says:
05:07 AM, 09/14/11
In order to be successful this ST needs to be priced a decent amount less then its competition. The VW GTi, Subaru WRX, MazdaSpeed3. In Canada at least, all three of those are in and around $30,000. If Ford can bring this thing in at around $26-27k here it will be a winner. I would consider it no doubt.