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BRENTWOOD, Essex – Ford has announced the arrival of a new special edition of the high performance Focus ST. Called the Focus ST500, and priced from £20,495, it will be available to just 500 UK customers.

The Ford Focus ST500 is based on the top-of-the-range Focus ST3 with the addition of unique features. All models are finished in metallic black with classic silver bonnet, roof and side stripes which are designed to echo the livery of the winning GT40 in the 1-2-3 victory at Le Mans in 1966.

Power comes from the Focus ST’s acclaimed 20-valve five-cylinder Duratec 2.5 engine, which develops 225PS at 6,100rpm and 320Nm of torque at just 1,600rpm. Since its introduction in 2005, the Focus ST has established itself as one of the finest “hot hatchbacks” ever made and received critical acclaim from the specialist media and enthusiast customers alike.

With sales of over 13,500, the Ford Focus ST is now firmly positioned as the most sought after performance hatchback in the UK, and reflects the motorsport success of the all-conquering Focus RS WRC, which saw Ford take the 2006 WRC manufacturer’s title, and which currently heads the 2007 World Rally Championship.

Included in the Focus ST500’s unique specification are scarlet leather Recaro sports seats and matching upholstery, special ST500 badging, automatic Xenon high-intensity headlamps, auto-dimming rear view mirror, rain-sensing wipers and solar-reflect windscreen.

The new technology is called the Ford-Microsoft Sync system, based on the Microsoft Auto. The Sync offers centralized, wireless, voice-operated manager for phone calls, digital music, text messaging and other computer functions.

Ford has the exclusive right to the Sync technology through the end of 2008. The automaker intends to integrate the system in 12 of its vehicles included in the 2008 lineup. Fusion, Five Hundred, Edge, Freestyle, Explorer, Sport Trac and Ford parts will be upgraded to blend with the new auto processing system. Other vehicles created by the company but sold under other brands will also be modified to adjust with the n’sync auto revolution. Mercury car parts for Milan, Montego and Mountaineer will also be equipped with the frontier system. In addition, Ford will incorporate the Sync system to its Lincoln vehicles. 2008 MKX and MKZ vehicles will most likely benefit from this new technology from the automaker.

Ford has not divulged the price tag that this optional feature will be having. However, it was reported by the Associated Press that it is likely to cost less than $1,000 which is about the value of an advanced desktop computer. With the introduction of said technology, critics in the industry draw their respective assumptions. David Cole, president of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, said if Ford charges too little for the Sync, it may never be able to increase the price. And if Ford goes too high, too few people will choose the option.

Ford is really aiming to move forward as suggested by its campaign. However, the automaker could not deny the fact that auto competition is also moving tougher each day. The aging Focus and the slow-selling Five Hundred is quite difficult to boost.

Critics in the auto industry are comparing the new Focus with other brands. Erich Merkle, director of forecasting for the auto consulting company IRN Inc. in Grand Rapids, said the new Focus, for instance, still doesn’t look as modern as Honda’s Civic, which he considers to be the gold standard for small cars.

Corey Putton is a 28-year old bachelor from Pittsburgh, PA who has been around cars for the better part of his life. He now works online and writes all about his passion: [http://www.thepartsbin.com/guides/cadillac.html]Cadillac Escalade parts. He is also a certified mechanic.

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