During a pre-show event in Geneva, Ford Motor Co. announced that it is merging its European and American high-performance divisions into one unit. The Blue Oval confirmed that it will produce a global performance variant of the 2012 Focus. Ford said there are discussions as to whether the friskier version will be called a Focus SVT in the U.S. or if it will import the popular ST badge from across the Atlantic. One thing is sure though, the new version won’t definitely be called Focus RS, as the car would likely be more ST in nature than have the same features of its harder-core, limited-run RS sibling.

The 2012 Ford Focus

Over the past couple of years, Focus performance models were built and sold regionally. The Focus SVT was engineered in the United States and sold for a number of years starting in 2001. In Europe, Ford manufactured and sold the Focus ST and RS. While details remain a little vague, it conforms well with other reports that suggest the next hot-hatch Focus will come in a coupe-like bodywork, instead of the traditional two-box European hatch styling. It will get the requisite front and rear facias, a rear spoiler, rocker extensions, bigger tailpipes, and larger wheels, along with an upgraded version of its 4-cylinder EcoBoost petrol direct-injection turbo engine tuned to whip up 250 horsepower. Ford insiders claim hybrid technology could be used to further boost its power output. The powerplant is likely to be mated to either a six-speed dual-clutch transmission or a conventional six-speed manual.

2012 Ford Focus

Rivals for the performance version include such vehicles as the Mazdaspeed3, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and the Subaru Impreza WRX. Ford is expecting 80-percent parts commonality among all Focus models worldwide, and production of the next-gen model will begin later this year for both Europe and North America. However, while the next-generation Focus is expected to hit showrooms in early 2011, don’t count on the performance version to arrive anytime before mid-2012. The price tag? No clue, but the person to spearhead the development of the new Focus variant is Jost Capito, Ford’s performance car chief.