2014 Ford Focus Sport: (Ford should be) Raiding the Parts Bin for a Perfect 'Tweener

"JarrodL" (jarrodl) 03/26/2014 at 11:24 • Filed to: None

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The standard Ford Focus shuffles through life partnered with a perfectly adequate, but none-too-thrilling naturally aspirated 2.0L inline 4-cylinder making 160 hp. Mated to the standard 5-speed manual transmission, the car is more sprightly and fun than the 6-speed dual-clutch automatic pairing. The aesthetically more aggressive Ford Focus ST delivers 252 hp and 270 lb/ft courtesy of an Ecoboost 2.0L through a 6-speed manual (thankfully no automatic option available here). The ST also benefits from a host of suspension upgrades that have garnered positive reviews.

The ST is a bona fide hoot, but drives the cost of a Fusion hatch up $5,000, or roughly 26%. That's a mighty chunk of change for a car that starts at $18,625 for a base SE hatchback. It also leaves a gnarly 92 hp gap between the base engine and top shelf Ecoboost. And torque; let's not forget about that. The regular 2.0L 4-pot makes 146 lb/ft of the twisty stuff, leaving it at a 124 lb/ft disadvantage. I think that leaves a little room for something between the mighty ST and the basic SE hatchback.

First and foremost we must address what would power this 'tweener model of the Ford Focus. There must be something that makes more power than the base Focus engine, but not so powerful that it would steal sales from the super ST. If only Ford had such an engine somewhere in their lineup, something from a smaller, hotter version of a hatchback, but where..... Oh, yeah. The freakin' 1.6L Ecoboost from the Fiesta ST. That little party-o'-power makes a wondrous 197 hp and 202 lb/ft. A nice 37 hp, 56 lb/ft boost, but still leaving a nice, cozy 53 hp and 68 lb/ft cushion for the ST. And it's not like this is the only model in which the 1.6L Ecoboost is available, either. It also powers the new Ford Fusion, where it is a scant $795 upgrade over the base 2.5L (even with the 6-speed manual), and the new Ford Escape where it undercuts the 2.0L Ecoboost by $1,195. There is our wonderful power solution, cribbed entirely from other models. Transmission choice should be the only one that makes sense, the same 6-speed manual from the Fiesta ST.

Now, we have to figure out suspension and brakes, and something to dress it up. Unfortunately, the base Focus still has rear drum brakes (really, Ford?!), but Ford offers three different appearance packages that also add read disc brakes. They mostly add other superfluous things that don't necessarily add to the driving experience, so an approximate cost would be hard to pin down for this upgrade. I'll have just the rear discs, please. The suspension for our mid-range Focus has to find a balance between the acceptable and super sporty characters of SE and ST Focuses (Focii?), and should be borrowed from the Titanium Handling Package, which includes "optimized sport suspension components" and 18" wheels, the latter of which I could leave and just take the black-painted 17" wheels that come with the SE Appearance Black Pack. That is, coincidentally, where I'd pick up some of the other appearance add-ons including the piano black grill, black side mirrors, black fog lamp bezels, and black rear spoiler. It's a $795 option, but the configurator on Ford's site requires the SE Appearance package, which is full of fluff and crap I don't want, and Ford wouldn't have to include. The only other exterior extravagance I'd add would be the Full Body Styling kit which adds a small front splitter, painted and sculpted rocker moldings, and a ST-esque faux rear diffuser. I think it looks pretty good, myself, and helps the model stand out.

We now have a more powerful, visually-differentiated, and better handling Focus that fits snugly between the base SE and the hoss ST, without driving up the price with all the options of the Focus Titanium. So, what do we call this wonder Focus. The Sport, of course! Ford has used the sport moniker since the first generation Ford Edge Sport starting in 2009 model year. It was also used on the refreshed 2010 Fusion when it borrowed the 3.5L V6 from the Lincoln MKZ, and now also adorns the Explorer, complete with Taurus SHO drivetrain. All of these offer styling, suspension, and more powerful engines (save for the original Edge Sport) that separate them from their base models and also add a bit of driving character.

There a just a couple of caveats to this idea, unfortunately. All of the Sport models Ford has produced so far have been at the top of the food chain. This strata is already occupied by the ST. Additionally, I seriously doubt Ford would spend the engineering and development time to offer the 1.6L Ecoboost in another hatchback form, as this would be a low-volume model, and they would probably point to both the Fiesta ST and Focus ST as alternatives. How many powertrains does the Focus need after all? We already have the 2.0L, the 2.0L Ecoboost, and an Electric version, and next year they are adding the 1.0L Ecoboost 3-cylinder to this mix as well. That's 4 powertrains in one body. Do they need 5? (Just for reference, the Fusion has 5: 2.5L I-4, 1.6L Ecoboost, 2.0L Ecoboost, Fusion Hybrid, and Fusion Plug-In.)

Alas, I can hope a dream that my perfect Focus could be built, as the Fiesta is a bit tight for me personally, and the ST is a little loud visually, and saving some coin would be nice while still getting a sportier than average Focus. I'd even concede to Ford additionally offering the 6-speed automatic from the Fusion, if they'd build the rest of the car as I spec'd it out. Wishful thinking and a bunch of garage talk engineering aside, I still think it would be a pretty sweet car.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > JarrodL 03/26/2014 at 13:24

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I've had these exact thoughts as well. I have a 1.6L Fusion Auto and it's a fantastic engine/trans combo. I really liked the Focus but could not deal with the powershift auto.

I thought a 1.6L ecoboost with the 6 sp auto from the fusion would be absolutely perfect.

(before you go flaming on me for wanting an auto. this is only a commuter car and I have been driving stick forever. But at 6:00am I just want to hop in and cruise and not have to deal with stop and go with a stick)

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > JarrodL 03/26/2014 at 13:37

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The 1.6EB should just drop right in. The Focus and Escape are the same platform after all and the Escape rocks the 1.6EB. For the record I like your thinking on this. Would be a little bit of a niche vehicle, but there is essentially no engineering required. The only major effect would be the schedulers who get all the right parts to the right place at the right time.

JarrodL > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 03/26/2014 at 13:43

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I think it'd be great.

suss6052 > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much 03/28/2014 at 09:19

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he 1.6 L is already available in the European Focus as the top petrol engine below the ST in the normal range.

There already is a 2014 Focus SE sport package that consists of grey 16" alloy wheels and four wheel disk brakes for around $600 over the base SE hatchback with 5 mt. There really isn't room market wise for another engine in between the 2.0 L N/A and the 2.0 L Ecoboost US models as you can see how badly that's failed for Fiat-Chrysler in the Dart having two engines of similar power and only a bit more torque.

The 179 HP version of the 1.6 isn't different enough from the 160 HP 2.0 L.

suss6052 > JarrodL 03/28/2014 at 09:25

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An SE sport package already exists. With disk brakes, leather steering wheel and shift knob and no frills for ~$600 over a base hatch.

The 1.6 L has a bad reputation for fires based on two or three recalls plus they won't put the tuned to 11 Fiesta ST spec version but probably the 179 HP 180PS version already used in the European Focus. Which is close enough to not be worth it compared to the 2.0 L.

DasWauto > JarrodL 03/31/2014 at 20:09

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I would buy this.

JarrodL > DasWauto 03/31/2014 at 23:15

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I'd trade in my car tomorrow for one.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > suss6052 03/31/2014 at 23:24

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U.S. spec is 197 HP and 202 FT/LB, while our 2.0 N/A is 160 HP and 146 FT/LB. Its a pretty big difference.

JarrodL > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 03/31/2014 at 23:32

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This. Add to this that I've heard no word of fires since the launch and I don't believe a Fiesta ST has suffered a Ferrari style car-b-que yet.

suss6052 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 03/31/2014 at 23:56

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Only the 1.6 L in the Fiesta ST makes 197 hp/202 lb-ft of torque. Every other application of the 1.6 L is 177 hp/184 lb-ft of torque (182 hp on 93 octane). They won't put the Fiesta ST spec engine in the Focus as that would hurt the Fiesta ST's exclusivity as being the only one available with the raised boost target from the factory.

Essentially it's the same motor, and in Europe it's only rated based on the non "overboost" power rating which puts the Fiesta spec engine on paper back at the same 179 hp because the x seconds of raised power are not considered continuous.

The 1.6 L Ecoboost is likely to be somewhat heavier than a 2.0 L N/A engine as well erasing some of the power gain by packing on the lbs for an intercooler and the bigger radiator and ancillaries to support that system.

boxrocket > JarrodL 04/01/2014 at 00:03

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Yes, a new in-between model would be great, but I'd rather see an RS model take the ST's pricing point, pushing the ST down price-wise, leading to either no further need for a-currently-unfilled "Sport" tier, or allowing that same tier to be comparable to a Titanium trim price-wise, but focused (no pun intended) on sport rather than weighty "luxury" items.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > JarrodL 04/01/2014 at 00:24

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How about a highly unlikely model/engine slotted in the middle?

For example... if Ford raided their USED parts bin, they could drop in the later 3.8L V6 from the Windstar that made 200HP in a rather rough, noisy and inefficient fashion... and have it only with a 4 speed automatic.

After you add some chrome to the body, padded vinyl root and velvet seats, you would have the new Focus Ghia... which would be like the Ghia version of the old Mustang II.

donutb0y > JarrodL 04/01/2014 at 00:38

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If Ford makes a Focus RS, I'm fine the with th Focus ST being the tweener model..

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > suss6052 04/01/2014 at 00:46

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I couldn't really see this cutting into Fiesta territory due to the fact that the Focus is a significantly bigger and heavier car. Also, I don't think the 1.6 EB would be that much heavier.

JarrodL > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 04/01/2014 at 00:59

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Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > JarrodL 04/01/2014 at 01:36

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Neither... just being silly. Ford would never raid their *used* parts bin...

TurbulentFlow > JarrodL 04/01/2014 at 02:29

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You're right, the Focus' current 2.0 is...lackluster for spirited daily driving. Frankly, I think the NA 2.5 at 170hp/170tq would be perfect, just like Mazda has in the 3.

DougNuts > JarrodL 04/01/2014 at 07:50

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Let's ask Ford for the Focus RS and the ST can be the "tweener"

Siman > JarrodL 04/01/2014 at 08:33

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Too be honest ford never builds their cars to be great. They make them so they dont compete with themselves. Kinda anoying i really hate the st in all honestly its more of a reach and grab at an rs. They need to drop the st and make an awd rs model to compete with the sti and evo.

suss6052 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 04/01/2014 at 09:03

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The 1.6 l EcoBoost in the European Focus makes either 150 PS or 180 Ps. No other Fords other than the ST get the hotter performance spec engine. Why change that now?

JarrodL > Siman 04/01/2014 at 09:06

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Keep the ST, make an AWD RS to compete with the STi and Evo (and priced accordingly), and still build a Sport. Ford claims the focus is the best selling nameplate in the world, so let's see if more variety helps too.

DMCVegas > JarrodL 04/01/2014 at 10:46

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Something to consider: Ford already sells this model you're describing in Europe. So there really isn't anything to re-engineer here at all.

The 2.0L comes in two flavors: 160 bhp FlexFuel for the rest of America and the gasoline-only 159 bhp PZEV for California's emission standards. So there is good reason that the 2.0L is needed in terms of marketing as well as California laws.

Sales of another engine type would come at the expense of cannibalizing an existing powerplant. Personally, I don't see the need for another engine at all. Instead of testing and certifying another engine, why not just put that money towards subsidizing the existing 2.0L Ecoboost to get more of those off the showroom floor and onto the pavement?

Rather than another Ecoboost, I'd rather see Ford bring over a proper oil-burner. Give Americans the 2.0L Duratorq engine instead. The 1.6L is around the 113 bhp but gets 83mpg while the 2.0L is about 160 bhp and gets 57 mpg, so the 2.0L is the better option for us here in the states. In fact, if the diesel option was available, I would have bought it when I got my new Focus last month for even better fuel economy. Though I've got to say that I'm damn happy with my Focus hatchback. It's like a damn go kart!

In any case, we're in agreement that smaller engines and turbos are the way of the future.

94GTratracer > JarrodL 04/01/2014 at 11:34

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Yup, now do the same thing for the Fiesta with the 3 banger turbo. That's what I want...

JarrodL > DMCVegas 04/01/2014 at 12:49

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So... I just went to the Ford UK website and built this car. Started with a Zetec S model and changed the engine and, bam, there she is. Even comes with the "Full Body Styling Kit" pictured in the screen grabs I snagged for this little article. Says the engine is rated at 182 PS, which, from what Google tells me, is ~179 hp. I'd still like the Fiesta ST's 197.

Aaaand... here's a video showing one.

And... here is what seems to be a positive review for one.

So, it does exist. It's just forbidden fruit. Damn. Damn. Damn. Damn. Damn. Damn. Damn. Damn. Damn. Damn. Damn. DAMN.

Siman > JarrodL 04/01/2014 at 20:21

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Now your adding to much variation. Variation is costly. Every diffrent model has to be engineered. playing cards right id say the se (standard edition) sel (standard edition + limited package) ses (standard edition + sport package) rs (rally sport). Should be how its arranged the standard base model gass sipper engine. limited big engine more trim and gadgets gass sipper optional. sport big engine and trim sport suspension and seats. Rally sport is the bad ass with everything with the gadgets as an option no gass sipper.