U.S.2005 Ford Focus ZX4 ST - Ford Forums

Stacy94PGT · 01-06-2004, 10:45

Motor Trend

One of six new Ford and Lincoln-Mercury cars that will launch in 2004, the Ford Focus will receive design and engineering improvements for the 2005 model year. While Europe receives a truly all-new Focus based on the global C1 platform shared with the Mazda 3 and Volvo S40/V50, North America will instead have an evolved current-generation car. The American-market Focus will be offered in four unique body styles carrying simpler model and trim designations, including a three-door hatchback (ZX3), a four-door sedan (ZX4), a five-door hatchback (ZX5), and a station wagon (ZXW). New for 2005 is a Focus ZX4 ST performance sedan (shown), that marries chassis components from Ford of Europe's Focus ST170 and the SVT Focus with a 2.3-liter/151-horsepower Duratec engine, which boasts 30 percent cleaner emissions than the 2004 models. Focus receives a front-end treatment with styling cues taken from the Ford's soon-to-be-unveiled flagship sedan, the Five Hundred. (It also reminds of the European Mondeo.) Other changes include an all-new interior, designed to be clean and modern looking, with four different color themes and plenty of functional storage.

Grunter · 01-06-2004, 16:02

Thanks for the news.

I'm a little surprised that the SVT "performance" sedan is coming out with 120kwkw vs the 127kw of the ST170. Especially as it's got .3lt more than the current ST170.

Stacy94PGT · 01-06-2004, 18:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grunter

Thanks for the news.

I'm a little surprised that the SVT "performance" sedan is coming out with 120kwkw vs the 127kw of the ST170. Especially as it's got .3lt more than the current ST170.

Read this article, it will explain some things. Ford strives to give SVT models upscale image

Timmeh · 01-07-2004, 19:55

I think the 2.3L is the low emission engine, required in some states of the U.S.?

I believe it lacks a bit of horsepower but more than makes up for it in torque, from memory.

The jury is out on the styling, could go either way, need some more angles to decide!

Cheers... Tim!

Stacy94PGT · 01-07-2004, 20:15

Automotive News

2005 Ford Focus

Type of Vehicle: 3-door hatchback ZX3, 4-door sedan ZX4, 5-door hatchback ZX5, station wagon ZXW.
Trim series: S, SE, SES; also available is a ZX4 ST performance sedan
Engines and power: 136 hp @ 6,000 rpm for 2.0-liter DOHC 4-cylinder; 151 hp @ 5,750 rpm for 2.3-liter DOHC 4-cylinder
Torque: 132 lb.-ft. @ 4,500 rpm for 2.0-liter; 154 lb.-ft. for 2.3-liter
Length: 168.5 inches for 3-door and 5-door; 175.2 inches for sedan; 178.4 inches for wagon
Width: 66.9 inches
Height: 56.3 inches
Wheelbase: 103.0 inches
What the automaker says: "Focus chief engineer John Sidelko's priority for 2005 was to add more refinement to areas that customers can see and make a bold statement in places they feel and hear -- particularly in the "stop and go" departments.

Kymera4 · 01-07-2004, 20:17

kinda starting to look subaru libertyish....kinda, from that angle anyways. doens't look to bad...i prefer the current one though.

Timmeh · 01-07-2004, 20:29

Oh nice. How on earth are we going to be able to drive that?? They put the steering wheel on the wrong side, sheesh!

Thanks for the pics and info!

Tim!

Zetec · 01-08-2004, 01:43

See what happens when you get American hands on a Euro car? Looks more like a Japanese or Korean upmarket car to me. Reminds somewhat of a Daewoo Nubira with those wheel covers. I'm out though, until I see more pics, more non-publicity pics. It has a good theme but looks a little too contrived. Interior isn't too bad, but I guess I'm just too much a fan of the original, chic and sexy Euro body and interior. I always liked the Focus coz it was different and now it's conforming...

... what's more I just realised it has the big US bumpers, doesn't help making it look compact and trim. If they didn't have to design the US safety bumpers then it'd be able to look a little less frumpy around the midline I guess. I always liked the nugget Euro Focus, thick around the bottom. If there's a car that the Renault Megan should be up against (heard the "I like big butts" coimmercial?) it's the current Euro Focus. What a gorgeous rear end.

Kymera4 · 01-08-2004, 16:14

that renault is one of the ugliest damned cars i've ever laid eyes on. surely they can't think putting that song on the ad would actually make people like the stupid rear end. and i thought renault was on a good thing there for a while.....

Timmeh · 01-08-2004, 17:52

Ah, that Megano rear end has been around a little while, it's another one of those sell the ones that didn't sell in Europe campaign here.

Their newer cars are alot sharper, but I still think their best looking car ever was the one that dominated British Touring Car Racing in the late 90's, the previous Laguna.

Are they hubcaps on the black ZX4 pictured? Surely the "performance" model would at least come with alloys of some sort! They do look like trims in the picture... remind me of Nissan Pulsar hubcaps.

Cheers...... Tim