With the 250-horsepower Focus ST not due to land in British showrooms until the summer of 2012, Ford decided to warm up enthusiasts with a somewhat sportier flavored series of its five-door hatchback model bearing the “Zetec S” nameplate.
While there are no engine upgrades, the Focus Zetec S offers a sportier exterior appearance through a body kit that includes front and rear spoilers with lower sill extensions along with rear LED tail lamps and new 17in alloy wheels.
The interior is upgraded with a different trim, sport seats, aluminium-style pedals and a Ford Power starter button.
Perhaps the most important change is the lowered sports suspension with stiffened springs and dampers that promise to improve the car’s handling.
UK buyers can choose from four engines including the 1.6-litre 115PS TDCi and 2.0-litre 163PS TDCi diesels, and the 1.6-litre 125PS Ti-VCT and 1.6-litre 180PS EcoBoost petrols.
The 180-horsepower version of the Focus Zetec S offers a top speed of 138mph (222 km/h), reaches 0-62mph (100km/h) in 7.9sec and emits 139g/km of CO2.
The Zetec S models carry a £1,250 premium over the equivalent Zetec derivatives, with prices starting from £18,745 on the road.
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