Ford has teased that it will be giving something the ST treatment next week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
It hasn’t said what, at least not publicly, as of yet. We may or may not know, but embargoes are something we abide by here at TTAC, so we’re not spilling any beans. That is, if we know, which we might, but might not.
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Posted by Ford Performance on Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Instead, I am proposing a mini-dual-QOTD. Question one: What model do you think Ford is applying the ST badge to? Fusion, EcoSport, Edge, Explorer, C-Max? Taurus? Transit Connect? Expedition? Flex? Maybe F-150?
Or is it an update to an existing ST trim? Maybe it’s a new Mustang trim.
Question two: What should Ford add ST trims to? Would a hopped-up Transit Connect make life fun for the plumber/florist/electrician on the go? Should Ford add an ST trim to the Edge or EcoSport? Would the family man or woman want to drive an Explorer ST or Expedition ST? Is Fusion Sport or Taurus SHO sporty enough? Can the Mustang use another trim level?
Ford will keep us in the dark for a few more days, but you folks can have at it in the comments. As for us, we’re hoping Ford goes all-in and STs all the things – because even a Super Duty needs a sport trim in its life.
[Image and video: Ford Performance]
I would hope the Escape. If CUVs are displacing, to some degree, sedans then some of the sports trims need to migrate over. I would like a faster, more sports orientated (including interior/exterior detailing) CRV, CX5 etc.
Ford Edge ST
I know this. Not guessing.
SUV ST
All will be revealed soon. Trust me. I do not abide to embargoes.
DING DING DING! We have a winner.
Jalopnik has already confirmed. It is the Edge.
Pretty sure it won’t be Mustang or F-150, since they were both in the vid. The British guy wouldn’t be asking “what is this?” if it was an already sporty car like Mustang.
My bet is a CUV, Escape or Edge, but I’m leaning towards Escape. No, it wouldn’t be *my* choice, but it is my choice of what is most likely.
Whatever it is, I just hope it has 3 pedals.
Edge. Automatic.
I’m going with Ecosport but wouldn’t be shocked with the Escape.
Ecosport ST replaces the Fiesta ST. Escape steps on the toes of the Focus. Until they pull the plug on the Focus I don’t think the Escape gets it, but again I wouldn’t be necessarily surprised if it turned out to be.
I think they are going to keep ST off the truck line.
They already have a Sport Trim on the F150. So adding a few more tech pieces wouldn’t be that big if a step. Maybe a set of 20 front, 22 rear wheel sets, lowering it 2 to 3 inches and adding some Brembo brakes and Bilstein shocks, maybe a small engine tune to get about 10 more hp. Oh, and of course a scooped hood of some sort.
“If it’s not an ST in reference to any truck, who cares, brah?”
88.73% of Americans interested in any Ford product.
I think so too (no ST trucks).
Also if it was an Expedition, you’d think they’d just go full Raptor.
Considering there are more street queens out there, I could see more sales of a street tired, lowered version than a lifted version with wide fenders.
There is a Fusion Sport & and Edge Sport. There can be a Focus ST and Escape ST.
What the Escape (and Focus) really need are a couple inches more wheelbase.
EcoSport makes the most sense. The Escape is nearing the end of its lifecycle and due to be replaced altogether for MY2019. Dropping the FiST powertrain into the EcoSport might be interesting but it would probably not be offered with AWD.
A new Focus is coming, test mules have been spotted. From what I understand, its going to get a boost in interior room.
Knowing Ford it will be the E-450 Cutaway.
Yep, considering the current ST lineup.
You just keep knocking them out if the park, dude.
Nope, it will be an F 650 with a single slick in the back instead of the dual wheels.
Or a stripped chassis. You can make your own body and stick it on.
It’s a Ford Focus ST/ST. They’ll electrify it and have it pulling 0-60 so fast, you’ll travel in time .03 seconds before you get there.
It could be the Fusion ST.
Well, that role is filled by the Fusion Sport with the EcoBoost 2.7L.
Ah, yes, but it doesn’t have an exterior to go with the extra hp, like the Focus ST does.
Sex sells and the Focus ST is quite sexy.
But the Fusion Sport isn’t any good. If it is a Fusion (which it isn’t) hopefully they spend some time engineering it (I know, asking a lot) and actually make a half-way decent car.
But I would honestly rock a Transit with an air bagged suspension, wider tire/wheel package, some driving lights and maybe a wide wheel arch kit to cover the new tires. Inside I’d have a kick butt stereo system and of course some way cool seats about half way back to haul “Da Ladies.”
If it had some go faster parts, that would simply be Bonus.
Transit Connect that is.
Edge ST makes the most sense.
There is an Edge Sport with 315 hp. The Escape doesn’t have a sporty variant I’m aware of.
To be an ST, it must have a manual, and be small and agile, otherwise it would be called a Sport. So EcoSport or updated Focus are the only options here. Nothing else is even a possibility unless they bring the new Fiesta ST over inexplicably.
This was my train of thought too. In order of most likely to least…
New Focus ST.
Ecosport ST
New Fiesta ST
New Fiesta ST is the clear longshot but maybe Ford does right and brings only the new ST Fiesta to America while letting the Ecosport fill the void of all the other Fiesta models.
While I’m thinking up unlikely scenarios…
Fusion ST. Tuned version of the 2.0 turbo making 275hp with a 6 speed and revised suspension. Starts at $30k to keep it under the Sport trim.
Fusion? Probably not since unless they think it looks too sedate now. I like its sleeper looks.
EcoSport? I hope not. That thing is the automotive equivalent of Borat in his sling bikini thing. One what planet (Earth, obviously) do people see this class of vehicle as better than a sedan? Elderly? It serves you right that you ate crap and did no exercise all your adult life. A decent car with decent performance will be my reward for diet and exercise.
Edge? Hmmm… intriguing… I like that idea, though the Sport trim is probably sufficient.
Explorer? Anything larger than an Edge would seem to be outside the scope of ST territory. “ST” and “5,000 lbs” should not be in the same sentence.
C-Max? WTF is a C-Max?
Taurus? The Taurus hasn’t had any changes in several years and I wouldn’t expect any now.
Transit Connect? Lordy… people aren’t buying enough Fusions and you suggest a modded-out Transit Connect? (Admittedly, my inner car guy would love this!)
Expedition? Nope. See my comment on the Explorer.
Flex? Can’t see it. Same reason as the Taurus?
F-150? Definite possibility. It would be silly, largely useless as a truck and would sell in the zillions just like every other F-150 trim.
I’d like to see the Escape or Edge get the ST treatment. I think those would generate enough interest to get some sales.
“C-Max? WTF is a C-Max?”
Y U HAVE TO HURT ME?
It’s a weird looking people mover thing that Ford didn’t know how to market.
And the C-Max is dead with the order window closing shortly. So nothing new for those.
I saw somewhere online that production was ending in May, so there’s apparently about 4 months left and that’s it. Too bad Ford screwed up so badly on its initial execution.
Don’t mess with a guy under 60 rolling in a C-Max or Ridgeline because he gives zero f*cks.
A SWB Transit Connect with the Focus ST drivetrain would be a hoot.
I had one of these as a rental in Scotland and Ireland with the turbo diesel and manual transmission, and it was fun to drive. With 250 hp it would be really fun!
I think with CUVs taking over the line the the ST is quickly growing pointless. I would like to see Ford focus its energy and money on bringing back the great brougham packages of the 1970s and 1980s. The Town Landau, Diamond Jublee, Lincoln Designer Series, and Lipstick packages. Those fit Ford’s current products and are going to sell far better than some “sporty” tall wagon with automatic transmission and expensive low profile tires on big easy-to-curb rims and a harsh ride.
I agree. If they’re going to focus on building vehicles for women, they might as well market to them. No point in trying to market a sporting image to any guy who cares anything about cars.
It may sound trivial but low profile tires on large diameter rims are a PIA if you stop to think about it. My 2015 Accord Sport with its 45-series rubber on 18″ rims has already lost two tires to our ruthless Chicago streets. I also have to be very ginger when parallel parking along a curb, lest I scratch one of those flashy large rims on it. Despite being very experienced and very careful, I’ve still got a small amount of curb rash on two of the rims. You absolutely will damage them unless you are extraordinarily cautious. My girlfriend literally scratched one less than an hour after she drove the car for the first time ever!
I’m an enthusiast and I put up with that for the improved driving dynamics those tires and rims offer. But I know that I’m becoming increasingly irrelevant to automakers and the average CUV buyer couldn’t give a hoot about driving dynamics beyond ride comfort and, of course, that coveted tall ride height.
A sport tire and wheel package that would come on an ST product would just be a nuisance, especially if they’re summer tires that have to be swapped out for winter rubber. It would also lower the ride height, which is directly counter to why people buy these in the first place. I say give them tall sidewalls (maybe even with whitewalls?) and durable steel rims that do not scratch easily. They could do wheel covers to differentiate models and packages as they used to in the past.
If this photo is the actual vehicle, it’s probably an Edge ST. It’s the only one whose liftgate and bumper cut-out match the photo.
In a surprise move, I think they’ll go retro by bringing back the Mercury LN7 and fitting it with a clean-burning turbo diesel.
Release the presses.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180110006365/en/
Ford begins introducing the coveted ST brand to its SUV lineup with the unveiling of the all-new Edge ST today, building on its best-ever SUV sales year in the U.S.
Correct, Edge ST it is. See this article in UKs Autocar mag
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-detroit-motor-show/facelifted-ford-edge-revealed-american-market
Correct, Edge ST it is. See this article in UKs Autocar mag
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-detroit-motor-show/facelifted-ford-edge-revealed-american-market
Absolutely pointless. Note how they’re not even bothering to bring it over to Europe, as no one in their right mind would buy it. Few will buy it here either.