This has been making the rounds on other forums and automotive blogs. Ford unveiled their global 2012 Focus ST, have hinted that they're doing away with North American specific versions of the Focus, so it's widely hoped US buyers will finally be able to buy a Ford global focus hot hatchback.

I'm kind of amused that its design is almost as polarizing as Mazda's Nagare-influenced 2010 mazda3/mazdaspeed3. "Looks like a guppy" or "catfish" seems to be the kneejerk, although a lot of people already love it. Comparisons with the mazda3 are inevitable, especially since the two cars share the same Ford C1 platform.

I like it, it makes me happy to see more US hatchbacks, more hot hatch trim options, more competition in this market segment. I also dig seeing wild-looking OEM cars on the road, too many appliances out there as of late, IMO.

Do you think this will be able to give an OEM MS3 a run for its money? :]

I bet is does give MS3 a run for its money.

I really like it.

Wish it was a 2 door hatch instead of 4...where's my Focus RS dammit!!!

I like it a lot.

Polarizing indeed. First reaction: Ewwww. That front fascia is atrocious, and I'm not feeling the tail light design...but maybe it'll grow on me.

The Focus to me has been one of the ugliest cars on the road ever since it was first introduced and it just keeps getting uglier. :\

Nice! not crazy about the front bumper, but everything else looks good... interior is very interesting
i LOVE centered tailpipes for whatever reason...

i like it.

tbot wrote:Wish it was a 2 door hatch instead of 4...where's my Focus RS dammit!!!

haha yea i want the rs too

I kinda like it. I'd have to drive it first... Looks like it could be customized quite easily...

I like it a helluva lot more than the current Focus. The only one I've liked in the past was the ZX3.

yes...looks like a fun time bob.

If only it were AWD. Otherwise I like it. Stylish without the ridiculous smiley face of the Mazda. Interior is a bit over the top... but for some reason I am liking that as well.

I like it, but I'm not sure if I could ever trust a Focus. My brother bought a 4-door sedan Focus the first year they were out. At 2000 miles, the transmission exploded. Literally exploded on the freeway. Replace under warranty.

About 4,000 miles later, a crack developed in the automatic transmission's (the warranty replacement) housing, spraying auto trans fluid at high pressure onto the exhaust manifold, which caused the car to catch fire. Luckily, it just so happened when my brother was driving past a firetruck...dumb luck.

The damage was minor and for some reason the insurance company didn't total is out, instead the dealership fixed it and my brother kept it. It didn't disappoint, because only a couple of months later the engine wouldn't start. Dealership said it was a fault fuel pressure regulator, it was replaced by the dealership, which was apparently done incorrectly because it led to yet another, you guessed it, fire. This time, no firetrucks were around, and the car was burned practically to the frame.

Mercifully, the Flaming Focus, as my brother called it, was finally totaled out. So yeah, not sure if I could ever trust one, haha.

Although I did have a friend in Phoenix with a 420ish FWHP Focus SVT 3 door hatch. It was scary fast and a total sleeper, stock body and rims even, and dead nuts reliable.

holy shit dude. that's crazy! out of curiosity what did he replace the focus with?