What is it?

It needs no introduction, but this is the forthcoming Ford Focus ST. Due on sale in 2012, it will be the first hot Focus since this year's fabulous RS500 and, though it's not quite as raucous, it represents a huge leap forward over the current ST.

Why's it here?

As emissions regulations continue to tighten, we expected Ford to ditch the 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine in favour of a cleaner EcoBoost four-cylinder - and we were right. That's what's hiding beneath the bonnet of the show car and it promises 247bhp - a 24bhp improvement over the current ST - with much lower emissions.

There is what appears to be a six-speed manual gearbox in the show car, but Ford hasn't confirmed whether this will remain the same for production. It probably will, but we suspect that the dual-clutch Powershift transmission may be an option too.

Show stopper or floor filler?

The ST is a five-door, which represents a break in hot hatch tradition. Ford also reckons that it will build estate and saloon versions of the ST and the former will apparently be sold in the UK.

ST remains the name of the show car, but whether that tag will appear as a badge on the production version is still anyone's guess. We reckon it will in the UK, but XR and SVT badges have appeared on hot Fords in other markets in the past, so they're a possibility. There's also talk of an unconfirmed RS version, which could be a four-wheel drive hybrid.

Full Paris Motor Show report

Jack Carfrae - 1 Oct 2010