ST in Italy

Ford has taken the opportunity to beef up the looks of the ST as part of the revised Focus range. The new hot hatch model gains a more angular front grille and aggressive look and makes its debut at the Bologna Show.

Almost every body panel has been changed on the ST, including a revised rear hatch with new spoiler, and there's also a modified rear diffuser underneath the bumper. At the front, the new bumper and grille arrangement lets in more air to the engine, while the foglights now nestle at the head of air intakes.

Not much has changed under the skin, so the ST is still powered by a 222bhp five-cylinder turbocharged engine. However, to improve handling Ford has lightened the alloys by making the wheels' spokes thinner, even if they do look much the same as the previous ST's. On the inside, there's an optional 'Power' button to start the engine, and this will be an option across the whole of the revised Focus range.

Ford has also said it's looking at making a new Focus RS. There are no firm dates or mechanical details, but Ford UK marketing director Mark Ovenden said: "We understand the emotional appeal of a new Focus RS and our engineers are working on a number of ideas that could easily culminate in a new version of this performance icon."

Ford will also use the Bologna Show to show off its new Focus Estate, which has the same front end as the revised hatch. At the rear, there are new LED tail lights for greater visibility and a new rear hatch to carry through Ford's 'Kinetic Design' style.

Also at the Italian show will be the Focus Econetic, which aims to take on the Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion. The Ford uses a 1.6-litre 88bhp turbodiesel engine with CO₂ emissions of 115g/km, which Ford says makes it the lowest emitting small hatch powered by a single-fuel engine. Combined fuel economy for the Econetic is 65.6mpg.

Ford has achieved these economy and emissions figures mainly by making the Focus Econetic more aerodynamic. The car sits lower to the ground and the underside has been smoothed out for better airflow. There's also recalibrated power steering, low resistance tyres and revised gearbox oil - all to create less friction to reduce strain on the engine, which saves fuel.

Ford has yet to release prices for the Focus Econetic, but it says the car will be on sale in the UK March 2008.