According to Carscoop sources, we won't have to wait until the grand opening of the Paris Motor Show on September 30 to catch our first glimpse of the next generation Focus ST as Ford will release photos and preliminary specs on the hot hatch before the end of the week. The almost production-ready show car is based on the new five-door Focus (the three door version has not yet been revealed).

Now here's what else we found out about the hot hatch: the outgoing Focus ST's Volvo-sourced 225HP 2.5-liter turbocharged five is replaced by Ford's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost unit, which is already available on the refreshed S-MAX and Galaxy MPVs with 203HP, as well as on the facelifted Mondeo with 203HP and 240HP.

Our source told us that on the new Focus ST, the tweaked four-cylinder unit will produce around 250 ponies. The car will also feature upgraded suspension, steering and brake system components, as well as bigger wheels and a unique bodykit.

The final production version of Ford's spicy hatch will be unwrapped next year and go on sale in Europe towards the end of 2011 or in early 2012. We still don't know when or if the ST will be offered in North America.

*All photos are of the standard 2011 Ford Focus undergoing high altitude testing in Europe

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