Shown at the Geneva Auto Show last March, the Focus ST is powered by a new turbocharged, 2.5-liter, Duratec five-cylinder engine making 220 PS-about 217 hp. The engine feeds a six-speed manual gearbox, and the package includes a revised suspension, 18-inch wheels and 225/40 tires.
If the Duratec five sounds an awful lot like the five-cylinder engine used in the Volvo S40 T5 (which is structurally nearly identical to the second Focus and Mazda3), you're thinking along the same lines we are. The Volvo is also available with all-wheel drive, so there's probably yet another version of the Focus ST to come.
It goes on sale in Europe late this year.
Caption This Photo Here's a photo of rally driver/drifter/aftermarket entrepreneur and ex-New Zealander Rhys Millen enjoying a repast on the set of the big screen version of "The Dukes of Hazzard." Surely there is a hilarious caption to be written here, but we're way too burned out to come up with it. So you do it.
Write your funniest dang caption and send it to us at SCCNews@Primedia.com. Type "Photo caption contest" in the subject field and don't forget to include your address. This is e-mail only, because the last time we opened an envelope we got an infection, went into a fevered delirium and thought we wrote for "Import Tuner" for nine terrifying days.
As to a prize for the best caption, we'll dig up something suitably inconsequential. But we'll also publish the best entries, leading to much glory and fame.
By the way, the Dukes movie is due June 24, 2005 in theaters. Will it be a great movie? Um ... well ... maybe. But Rhys Millen is behind the wheel of the General Lee Dodge Charger for most of the film and what he did is simply awesome.
Round Two From The Shameless Self-Promotion Department Don't think after the cancellation of the Hard Drive events, which were promoted in this space last month (before being cancelled), that it's easy for us to announce Tuner Bash After Dark with a straight face. But that's exactly what we're doing, without so much as a snicker. Promise.
Touted as the ultimate tuner event, Tuner Bash After Dark showcases the nation's premier tuner cars alongside the trendiest club DJs, live entertainment and model contests to draw crowds ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 attendees. Even though girls, DJs and live entertainment have nothing to do with this magazine, here are the three remaining events this year.
Tuner Bash After Dark May 7, 2005 Stadium Expo Seattle, Wash.
Tuner Bash After Dark July 9, 2005 Baltimore Convention Center Baltimore, Md.
Tuner Bash After Dark August 20, 2005 McCormick Place Chicago, Ill.
Neon out, Caliber IN Dodge proved its global reach in February by debuting a new SUV concept in Chicago (the Nitro) and a preview of the Neon's replacement in London. If you want to know about the SUV, read ... oh ... "Truck Trend." Keep reading here about the Neon replacement. And please, remain calm and no spitting.
Shown as a concept vehicle, the Neon replacement is called the Caliber and is a five-door machine that Dodge isn't telling us much about. Apparently, it shares some technology with both the new Mercedes B Class and some Mitsubishi products.
Trust us, the next Neon will be this vehicle and it will go on sale next year. The only question is whether there will be an SRT-4 version to top what we have now.
Rumors & Lies * According to CBS News, some California legislators are considering plans that would tax cars by the mile rather than by paying taxes on gasoline. Ironically, some of the motivation for this comes from the fact that hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius get better mileage and threatens overall tax revenue. This is one of the dumbest ideas since, well, something else cooked up by the California legislature.
* Chrysler earned $1.9 billion during the fourth quarter of 2004. That almost made up for the poor performance of Mercedes in the Daimler Chrysler stable.
* GM has announced a turbocharged version of its DOHC "Global" V6 (it debuted as normally aspirated 3.6 liter in the Cadillac CTS) that displaces 2.8 liters in a new Saab 9-3 wagon. It's rated at 250 hp