[GNN60GT500]

This car met ALL of my expectations!

For comparison, I also got to drive a new Escape with the 2.0 Ecoboost and then immediately after I went and test drove a new GTI 6M

1. Power- This thing feels much quicker then the GTI, In face the Escape (platinum 2wd) felt like it might be quicker then the GTI as well- Unfortunately it was a short track, so I only got to feel a second gear pull- but it was great - I would be really suprised if this car doesnt run close to a 14 flat in the 1/4. The motor in the Escape I drove felt every bit as smooth as the motor in the GTI. The car felt very comparable power wise to the Mazda Speed 3 (which I drove a few weeks ago)

2. Handling- WOW. Just like all the articles said, there is definitely some oversteer- I could feel the back end coming a little loose. I threw the GTI into a corner much to the dismay of the salesperson- and the ST definitley felt more nuetral- as the GTI had some pretty good understeer.

Tossable. that would be the perfect description of this car.

3. Sound- Car sounded great, but was not as loud inside as I expected-

I also got to ride in the BOSS302 for a hot lap and DAMN

All I can say is that after driving the GTI/ riding in the ST- anyone who buys a GTI over the ST is just straight crazy.

Now - I am REALLY anxious for the cars to get here!!

Pictures!

 

[Ron]

Very nice. Was hoping to get out there today, but no go. And I won't be able to make it the rest of the weekend either.

2 questions: which seats and how did they feel?
and...no Shelby GT 500 ride for you?

 

[jackamick]

Why does it only appear to have a 5 speed gear lever?

And ya, which trim did the car have? I really can't wait for the Performance Academy.

 

[Unreal]

Damn, Jack beat me to it. The shift knob shows only 5 forward gears! WTF?

 

[dem778]

Great write up.

Guys, those are show cars and those are just knobs. It is a six speed. Anyway, does it matter? Your car will have a six speed in it!

 

[SVTRondogg]

How bad was the line to get a ride? SEMA is so awful I've never even been in one of the cars out there.

Still contemplating going down to BJ to get a ride, and am itching to throw this car around on the track as soon as I can grab mine.

 

[oaxa]

Damn, Jack beat me to it. The shift knob shows only 5 forward gears! WTF?

I'm guessing that was the other car he drove

 

[dem778]

I'm guessing that was the other car he drove

No, it's not. The Pre-production cars on display at the NYIAS that we sat in also had a similar shift knob. Think of it as a placeholder for the real thing.

 

[GNN60GT500]

The car I rode in and the display car were ST3 package cars- the seats were great, I felt like I was held in place very well around the corners...I definitely likes the seats better in the Focus ST then the GTI


The 5 speed shift knob- This was definitely a pre-production car...the gaps on many of the interior panels were pretty big, and there were definitely some problems with fit and finish on the car....

I am almost positive the shift knob is from the Bullitt Mustang or Mach 1

See pic of the Bullitt shift know here (they are an exact match)

2005-2009 Mustang by Robert Gelardi at Coroflot.com

 

[BadWolf]

Fantastic! I'm glad you got to go! It looks like it was fun. Damn not having any time off!

Being a graphic designer...it's bugging me that the "Focus" and "ST" badges aren't lined up with each other on the back.

 

[cuda6pak]

Back end shot of TS looks great. Seems like it really pops in direct sunlight, but kind of bland in without it.

 

[SVTRondogg]

They look like sunroof cars. How was the headroom?

 

[jackamick]

Fantastic! I'm glad you got to go! It looks like it was fun. Damn not having any time off!

Being a graphic designer...it's bugging me that the "Focus" and "ST" badges aren't lined up with each other on the back.

I know exactly what you mean...

 

[Chad]

That's great stuff man. As described by Dan, and others this car is definitely Pre-Pro.. I am looking forward to driving one.

Chad

 

[safetyguy14]

I know exactly what you mean...

The first thing i'm doing with my car is taking the focus badge off. Cleanliness is next to godliness.

 

[Josh157]

The first thing i'm doing with my car is taking the focus badge off. Cleanliness is next to godliness.

Yep. That's the first thing i did with my titanium. Both Focus and Titanium badges came off. Ill leave the ST though

 

[BadWolf]

Yep. That's the first thing i did with my titanium. Both Focus and Titanium badges came off. Ill leave the ST though

What exactly goes into taking badges off? Are there any holes or anything? I was thinking of doing the same.

 

[Shomare]

Nope. A piece of dental floss and some goo gone will take them right off.

Might do mi e too just so I'm not advertising it's not a regular Focus. We'd all know the difference but not everyone knows what to look for.

 

[earthling_david]

Thank you so much for the pics and the write up of of the driving/riding experience. Every time new information like this comes out, it makes the wait that much harder! My August 11th Performance Academy drive seems like an eternity from now! Never before has six weeks and change seemed like such a long time! Help, I can't stop using exclamation points!

 

[Rev.Hammer]

Guys! That is gonna be one of the FIRST things that I am going to mine as well! I DONT like signage on my car.
I am also going to replace the round FORD badge ( I doan need no steenkin BADGES!) with a more demure yet sinister looking one that will be dark red on a black background. Yeah, I can do that. I would remove it COMPLETELY but it has a molded in spot that would look odd with nothin in it.