Auto writers have been complaining that the European Ford Focus kicks the crap out of the U.S. version for so long that people are probably sick of hearing us (could it be?). Well, at the Geneva auto show, I encountered two more reasons we just can’t let go of that refrain.       

Focus ST
The European Focus is a very different car from our homegrown edition and, as even these lousy amateur pictures should make obvious, it’s a damned sight better looking. The Focus ST, which has been available across the pond since 2006, is the hot-hatch version. Available as a 3-door or a 5-door, it borrows a 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo from Volvo, which makes 225 hp, and its chassis has won the praises of the European press.

Focus RS
The Focus RS is the just-introduced uber-hot hatch, a full-on wild child that aims at the likes of Mitsubishi’s Evo X. Its turbo five is pumped up to 301 hp and 325-lb-ft of torque, though it still drives only the front wheels (Holy Mother of Torque Steer!). This winged warrior blasts from 0 to 62 mph in 6.2 seconds, and claims a top speed of 163 mph. The U.S. Focus couldn’t do that if you pushed it off a cliff.

The good news is that Ford, finally, is promising to bring us the European Focus, staring next year. Whether we’ll also get either of these hotter versions remains to be seen. But if we don’t, expect the complaining to continue.