Ford Focus ST vs. Subaru WRX for the Final ST Session Video

For the past five months or so, Ford has been steadily releasing web episodes of its ST Session series featuring the new 250-horsepower Focus ST hatch and a number of direct rivals like the VW Golf GTi and Honda Civic Si, while even placing it against the much more expensive and powerful BMW M3 Coupe.

The time has come for the fifth and last episode of the series, named "Control Battle", which sees the Focus ST in the hands of professional rally driver Chrissie Beavis challenging her colleague Matthew Johnson in a Subaru WRX.

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Ford Focus Electric to Become the First EV to Pace a NASCAR Race

In a new marketing effort to promote its pure-electric Focus, Ford says it will make history this month, as the battery-powered version of its compact hatchback will become the first all-electric pace car to lead the pack at a NASCAR race.

The new Focus Electric, which rolled off the production line in December at the company's Michigan Assembly Plant, will perform all pace care duties for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the Richmond International Raceway on April 28.

The Focus Electric pace car will make its public debut at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond on April 25.

"Ford research shows the majority of Americans would consider buying an electrified vehicle but do not yet understand the different technologies," said Mark Fields, president of The Americas. "Highlighting the Focus Electric as a pace car is a fun way to educate consumers about the kinds of benefits our electrified vehicles deliver."

Ford noted that according to research, around 35 percent of new car intenders are motorsports fans and 78 percent of them support NASCAR. The company added that Ford race fans are 67 percent more likely to consider Ford products than general market consumers.

Source: Carscoop

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2012 Ford Focus Recalled Over Windshield Wiper Defect

Ford Motor Company has announced a recall of 140,310 model-year 2012 Ford Focus vehicles built through Oct. 18 in the Wayne, Michigan Assembly plant over a potential windshield wiper defect.

According to Ford, a seal plug on the passenger side windshield wiper motor electrical connector may be missing, causing water to fall into the motor and a short in the unit.

Ford’s recall entails the installation of a redesigned seal plug and dealers will re-coat grease for electrical connectors to ensure wipers are protected and functioning.

Ford told dealers to begin the recall on Tuesday and notified affected owners on Friday.

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Ken Block Takes Russian Journalists for a Wild Ride in a Ford Focus RS WRC

Put a professional driver behind the wheel of a thoroughbred-racing car like the 2010 Ford Focus RS WRC on a snow packed route and you're bound to have some fun.

And fun it was for some 150 journalists that attended the presentation of a new Pirelli tire at the Igora Park ski resort outside of St. Petersburg in Russia, as the Italian company brought Ken Block to entertain the media with ride-alongs on a short course running through the resort.

Skip the jump to watch the video.

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Volkswagen Group Nabs TeamRS and SVT Boss Jost Capito from Ford

In a surprising development, the Volkswagen Group has grabbed the much-famed Jost Capito from the Ford Motor Company.

The 53-year old will head the German company's Motorsport division effective May 1, 2012, replacing Kris Nissen, who will remain in the company to support Capito during the transition phase and consequently assist the Group in an advisory role, according to VW.

Capito, who is credited with overseeing the development of the original Focus RS as well as the current Focus ST and Fiesta ST models, was Ford's director of Global Performance Vehicles and Motorsport Business Development. Both the North American SVT and European TeamRS performance divisions reported directly to Capito. It is believed that he will have a similar role in the VW Group as well.

It is not known who will replace him at Ford yet.

Capito is an engineering graduate who began his career in the automotive industry back in 1984 as a development engineer for BMW’s high-performance engines before moving to Porsche in 1989, initially heading the Porsche Carrera Cup Organisation and later overseeing all Porsche brand racing championship campaigns.

In 1996, he moved to Sauber Petronas Engineering HG and was Chief Operating Officer of the Sauber Red Bull Formula 1 team from 1998. In 2001, Capito headed to Ford where he remained until today.

Capito also has experience in motorsport and among other things, he has competed in various endurance motorcycle racing and motocross having won several titles, while he also took part in the Paris-Dakar Rally across the Sahara Desert, winning the truck category in 1985.

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