Ever since the Focus ST made it’s early debut at the Paris Motor Show, there have been all sorts of rumors that Ford was considering a three door hatchback version of the hot hatch. After all, the original Focus SVT was offered in both three door and five door flavors, so it seemed to make sense that Ford would offer the ST in a lighter, more nimble version. Even Ford’s head of design in Europe, Martin Smith, seemed to indicate that something new and “more exciting” would be coming to the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.
What that may be, it won’t be a three door Focus ST. Motor Authority quotes Ford’s Mark Schirmer as saying, “Wild speculation about a Focus coupe is making the rounds on websites in Europe… I can tell you right now — and the coupe lovers hate to hear this — but there are no plans for this model.” Which makes sense, given the Focus’ already broad product line. A three door Focus most likely wouldn’t sell in the quantities Ford would need for profitability, and the five door variant is still plenty sexy.
So the real question is what will Ford’s Detroit Auto Show surprise be? If it relates to the Focus, is it even remotely possible that we’ll see a 2012 Focus RS on these shores? Are Americans ready for a $50,000 hot hatch, even a blindingly fast one? We’ve got a month until we get the answer.