Ford is not hanging about with its new Focus ST hot hatch and has started testing no fewer than 60 prototype versions in Europe and North America.
The car in the pictures may be disguised, but we can see centrally placed twin exhausts, a lowered ride height and large alloy wheels. We'll get to see the finished production model on sale in 2012.
In the meantime, Ford has committed to a test programme that sees the new ST being stretched to its limits everywhere from German autobahns to British back roads. Jost Capito, Ford's director of Global Performance and ST supremo said: "The Focus ST is our first global performance model. It must live up to Ford's reputation for exciting, sporty and affordable versions of our smaller cars that reward and delight enthusiast drivers, but can also be used every day.
"We've done all of the engineering groundwork, now we're using some of the most demanding roads we can find in Europe and North America to validate and fine tune the performance and driving dynamics."
Ford is keeping quiet about the finer details of the next Focus ST, but it has confirmed that it will come with a 2.0-litre Ecoboost turbo petrol engine producing 250hp. This is a 25hp increase over the previous Focus ST's 225hp though the new car comes from a smaller engine with four cylinders instead of five. Ford says the new engine offers significantly better fuel economy and lower emissions.
Other areas where Ford is concentrating its efforts include comfort and handling. Matthias Tonn, chief engineer for the ST project, said: "We will build upon and improve the ride, steering and handling strengths that defined the last Focus ST."