The 2013 Ford Focus ST which goes on sale later this year, will come with a factory-installed “overboost” button on its direct-injected, turbocharged 2.0-L EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. The ST, a performance-oriented version of the third generation Ford Focus is turbocharged unlike most of the models in the Focus line. The overboost function won’t increase the EcoBoost’s peak power above its 252 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque ratings, but it will extend the torque curve from 3000 rpm to 4500 rpm for up to 15 seconds while other EcoBoost engines would hit peak torque and begin to drop off at these higher engine speeds.

The peak torque gains will increase up to 7.4 percent. This is the first overboosted Ford EcoBoost engine sold in North America. Ford engineers also made sure the cooling system was able to tackle the extra heat caused by the extra torque while overboosting the engine. “The turbo itself is specified for sustained, high-output performance, but they’ve programmed the car’s computer to dial in more boost past 3,000 rpm to give it that extra something,” says engineer Lisa Schoder, Marketing manager for Focus ST. “We limit peak turbo boost to maintain a wide margin of safety and durability over the life of the car,” Schoder adds. “But overboost is cool in that it tweaks more acceleration through the turbo for brief periods for performance-hungry drivers.”

The new model includes visible options like the Tangerine Scream metallic color that will be offered exclusively on Focus ST as well as race-inspired Recaro seats with matching color accents. Ford is offering drivers who pre-order a Focus ST the GoPro HD Hero2 Motorsports Edition camera pack upon delivery. The first 1,000 presale orders placed between May 1 and Aug 20 are eligible for the GoPro HD Hero2 camera. The cameras will be sent after vehicle delivery. The Focus ST starts at $24,495 including a $795 destination charge and is priced at just under $30,000 for the top-spec ST3 trim plus the $895 moonroof which includes Recaro leather seats, HID headlights and a Sony sound system.