It might be strange to see a livery made famous by one automaker get used by a completely different brand, but in the case of Green Filter USA’s program for the Ford Focus ST, the whole thing somehow works.
According to Green Filter, the decision to use the vintage — and unmistakable — Team Lotus livery on the Focus ST was done as a tribute to Ford’s tradition in motorsports and its long-standing partnership with Team Lotus Racing.
As you can see, the car comes in that signature green and gold colors of Team Lotus, a nice reminder of the brands’ win at the Indianapolis 500. The meticulous attention-to-detail that Green Filter exhibited is highlighted by specific reminders to the original Team Lotus racecar, including the exhaust outlets on the custom exhaust kit. A new set of 18-inch wheels from American Racing Wheels were also added into the equation and wrapped in Falken tires.
Performance modifications were also part of Green Filter’s work on the Focus ST. In this particular case, the makers of high-performance and eco-friendly air filters decided on taking advantage of its expertise with the installation of the aforementioned air filters.
The most distinctive characteristic of the PM-Lifestyle still goes back to that Lotus-inspired livery, something that was accomplished by Green Filters, in collaboration with curators from the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich., home of the original 1965 Lotus-Ford race car.
The Ford Focus ST is a true performer on four wheels, capable of incredible power out of its hood to go with a design language that really sets it apart from other Focus variants. The deep body kit, redesigned bumpers and fascias, a big wheel package, a vented rear spoiler and the rear exhaust pipe are a big part of the sports hatch’s design. But none are more distinctive than the ST-exclusive nose design that sets the performance model apart from base five-door and sedan Focus models.
Under its hood, the Focus ST is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 252 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque, allowing the sports hatch to hit 60 mph in 5.9 seconds to go with a top speed of 155 mph.
Ford Focus ST that is beautiful to look at on or off the track. The signature green and gold colors of Team Lotus lend a vintage look that brings back the excitement of the Lotus-Ford that won the 1965 Indianapolis 500. This Focus ST also has a high-performance air filter with custom intake and exhaust for more power. The builders took care to mimic cues from the original Team Lotus race car, like the large conical exhaust outlets. The Lotus Focus has a suspension by Ground Force that is built to provide Lotus-like handling characteristics. One of the most challenging parts of the build was matching the Team Lotus livery colors from the original car’s acrylic paint job, said Deric Dupey of Green Filter USA. Curators at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich., home of the original 1965 Lotus-Ford race car, worked with Green Filter USA to ensure this modern-day interpretation is authentic. “We wanted to go that far, because we know what the Lotus-Ford means in the racing industry and what it represents,” said Dupey.