Ford's Next Focus ST Could Produce 275bhp From Just 1.5 Litres

Ford's next generation of clever turbocharging technology will raise the hot hatchback's output to new heights, while dropping a quarter of its cubic capacity
Ford's Next Focus ST Could Produce 275bhp From Just 1.5 Litres

The 2018 Ford Focus ST is set to have up to 275bhp from a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, according to a report from Autocar, who have also granted us permission to use their renders.

That means the Focus, which will have Ford’s next generation of high-tech turbocharging, will extract as much as 183bhp per litre from the dinky little four-cylinder unit. To put that into perspective, the 2.3-litre Focus RS has 150bhp per litre and the current Focus ST makes do with 125bhp per litre. Impressive stuff.

Image via Autocar
Image via Autocar

With the 1.5-litre three-cylinder Fiesta ST due to make 131bhp per litre, it’s believed that an extra cylinder will help Ford extract more from the same cubic capacity, possibly along with higher revs. As it happens, the scaleable architecture Ford is using means that the Fiesta and Focus technically use the same chassis, too – just in different sizes.

Elsewhere in its report, Autocar says that interior quality is slated for big improvements, while the wheelbase grows 50mm and overall length increases to over 4.4 metres. You’ll get more luggage and passenger space from it, says Ford.

This is the current ST's last full year on sale
This is the current ST's last full year on sale

There will be manual and dual-clutch automatic gearboxes in the wider range, but we don’t yet know if they will extend to the ST, but we do know the diesel will continue – it takes too many sales to even dream of getting rid. We don’t yet know whether the 2.0-litre engine will give way to a 1.5 like it will on the petrol side, but Ford has both in its arsenal.

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Comments

Valanti Demetriades

I find it amazing how something this size with 4 cylinders can produce more power than big v8s from the 1990s

04/11/2017 - 10:37 |
84 | 2

BMW are making twin turbo four cylinder 2.0 litre engines for their mid range cars that are comfortably sitting at 248bhp.

04/11/2017 - 10:49 |
23 | 3
ShadowHuayra (HemiPower)

Next: a 500cc single cylinder that makes 300hp, powering the next yaris

04/11/2017 - 10:39 |
11 | 1

Later: 120cc single cylinder engine producing 850bhp that will power the next Lamborghini flagship supercar.

04/11/2017 - 10:43 |
11 | 0
Anonymous

Well in Russia they get 4wd 1hp from 0.5l of vodka so i dont know whats the fuss

04/11/2017 - 10:44 |
37 | 2
Dāvis Kalniņš

Wtf my 2.8 VR6 produces ‘only’ 174hp. This is some crazy future.

04/11/2017 - 10:44 |
0 | 0

My 3.0 I6 makes 152hp…and that’s when it’s brand new. Hate to think of the current figure

04/11/2017 - 11:34 |
0 | 0

174bhp from 2800cc was low back then too!!

04/11/2017 - 13:26 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Getting the power is the easy bit - making the engine last is going to be the trick.

Top tip: Don’t buy a first generation model when Ford start making these.

04/11/2017 - 10:45 |
23 | 2
FroztyTacos

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

When you are about to put this car on your “Dream Car List” then you see your comment and think to yourself

How long should I wait for this to be out?

04/11/2017 - 11:03 |
2 | 0
FroztyTacos

Looks like matchbox got some competition

04/11/2017 - 10:50 |
2 | 3
Anonymous

THERE’S NO REPLACEMENT FOR DISPLA-

Wait.

04/11/2017 - 10:50 |
29 | 2
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Well that’s still true.
This tiny engine will need plenty of replacement.

04/11/2017 - 14:43 |
7 | 0
Anonymous

As long as it doesn’t use fake noise through the speakers, it sounds good

04/11/2017 - 11:08 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

The last version didn’t have that so i doubt this one will.

04/11/2017 - 16:36 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

soon we will be saying : “Can’t catch my one-and-a-half liter!”

04/11/2017 - 11:36 |
0 | 0
Wogmidget

I believe the technical term used to describe what Ford is doing is to the 1.5 is: “Boost the living sh*t out of it”

04/11/2017 - 11:47 |
4 | 1

Ford be like

04/11/2017 - 12:32 |
15 | 0