We're surprised at how Ford's European Focus models stand out among C-class production cars (European for "larger than small") shown in Geneva. They're both the product of well-executed platform sharing (see: Volvo S40 and Mazda3) and an important addition to Ford's product line (a quality small car from Ford? how novel!).

The hot ST (top), coming in late 2005, will sport Volvo's 2.5-liter Duratec turbocharged T5 engine, finally cashing the check written by the US-model SVT. The Focus Vignale cabrio (bottom) — to be assembled in Turin by Pininfarina — will be (believe it or not) a viable aspirational vehicle when it's released in late 2006. That the US won't see the new Focus until 2007 is a tragedy only an accounting department can be proud of.

Related:
Ford s Hottest Hatch: Euro-Only Ford Focus ST [internal]