Hot Hatch Smackdown Poll: Ford Focus ST vs Opel GTC

With both the Ford Focus ST and Opel GTC set to debut in Paris, the hot hatch world is astir. If you're in a "global" market and interested in going fast on the cheap, these are looking to be two serious contenders.

The big difference here is shaping to be extra output in a traditionally showy hot-hatch package, or a sleek and sophisticated ride with potentially less power. But first, a joke: what would a diesel Ford Focus ST be called? Think about it.

On to the point: it boils down to either a world-hot hatch from GM or Ford. To make it even simpler for the numbers-geeks, here are the basics (feel free to read all the deets in our previous Paris posts on the Focus ST and Opel GTC, you fiends): output is looking to be 250 horsepower for the ST and possibly well over the 250HP mark for the OPC version of the GTC (Opel has not yet released output numbers). Both show cars are equipped with 2.0-liter turbocharged fours.

While the ST is likely to appear in the States in one form (ST) or another (SVT), there's still no word on whether or not the GTC could appear here (Buick's mini-Lexus fighter, anyone?).

However, that's neither here nor there at the moment. The big question for our readers is this: would you be more interested in the boy-racer Ford ST or a more conservative (and possibly Buick in the States) Opel GTC? Vote your hearts out in the poll below.

Which hot hatch do you like more?

____________________________________________________________________

Opel GTC Paris Show Car

____________________________________________________________________

Ford Focus ST Paris Show Car

Ford Focus ST Paris Show Car with 250HP 2.0L Turbo Unveiled, Available Worldwide from 2012

Revealed today ahead of its planned debut at the Paris Motor Show, is the all-new Ford Focus ST. Shown here in pre-production form, the hottest member of the new Focus family (that is, until Ford decides to present a successor to the RS), will go on sale in "all global markets" from early 2012, following the introduction of the mainstream Focus models in Spring of 2011. We assume that by "all global markets", Ford means the performance version of the new Focus will also be sold in the States, with or without (SVT?) the ST badge.

Based on the five-door version of the new Focus, the ST is visually differentiated from its regular brethren through a dare-we-say (and not in a positive way), tuner-like bodykit.

The styling package includes a new front bumper with a 'gaping mouth' grille and additional air ducts, side skirts, a larger roof spoiler and a rear apron with air vents and central exhaust pipes. The show car is finished in a new color Ford calls 'Tangerine Scream' while the ST also gets a set of beefy 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 235/35 ZR 19 rubber.

Inside, the Focus ST gets a pair of body-hugging bucket seats with contrasting orange seams and pads, a sportier-looking steering wheel with a thicker rim, carbon fiber trim on the center console, revised instrument gauges and, like the current model, three extra dials on top of the dash.

Under the bonnet, out goes the current model's Volvo-sourced and a delight to listen to, 225HP 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine, and in comes Ford's own 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder EcoBoost unit, which is rated at 250-horsepower.

Ford did not reveal any other details on the car's specifications, but the interior picture shows a six-speed manual gearbox, which drives the ST's front wheels. The final production model will most likely be offered with the company's six-speed Powershift dual-clutch transmission also.

In Paris, the ST will be joined by the next-generation Focus family in hatchback, sedan and station wagon flavors, the facelifted Mondeo, which was previewed at the recent Moscow International Automobile Salon, and the new C-MAX and Grand C-MAX people carriers.