Ford is offering the 2013 Focus ST Wagon as an excellent pursuit vehicle to police fleets in the UK. But in other countries around the world, Ford is busy selling the Taurus-based Police Interceptor and the Explorer-based Police Interceptor Utility. The hot white Focus ST wagon features your typical police plaid livery but it is a one-off car that’s believed to be a legitimate demonstrator. Ford’s Special Vehicle Preparations group in Essex prepared the ST police wagon to be displayed at a recent trade show. It supposedly complies with all English NPIA standards for “fast response vehicles.” Aside from the LED lighting and checkerboard paint scheme, the police-spec Focus ST isn’t really very different from the regular variety.
A drawer system and divider is built in the cargo hold. In addition, a police computer system and lighting controller were carefully integrated into the dash space formerly used to accommodate the MyFord Touch infotainment system. The Focus ST is powered by the 252-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4, which enables the wagon to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in about 6.2 seconds.
Even as Ford hasn’t sold one Focus ST into marked police service yet, it has scheduled several demonstrations with English police forces. This is understandable since the British are known for liking fast Ford pursuit vehicles, ranging from the Lotus Cortina Mk II, the Escort Cosworth RS, Sierra Sapphire Cosworth, and a road-going version of the RS200 rally car (which is a special one-off engagement with the Essex police).
