The 2012 Ford Focus is definitely one of the Blue Oval’s biggest bets for the next few years. The C Segment hatch will go on to sport a variety of body styles and versions.

We’ve already seen the hatchback and the sedan back at the Detroit Auto Show. We saw the Focus wagon in Geneva, and now, according to AutoExpress, a more powerful version, the Focus ST, will be making its debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show.

According to the magazine, the new Focus ST will try to quench the appetite of performance enthusiasts before a true hot hatch versions, presumably with the RS or SVT badge, will appear.

Until then, the ST will sport an upgraded version of the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine. Instead of its current 200 HP output, the report says that around 250 HP and 260 lb-ft of torque will be develop by the turbocharged unit. This will allow the hatchback to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in under 6 seconds, while at the same time achieve an impressive fuel average of around 29 mpg combined.

Bear in mind that this is just a rumor, but a performance 2012 Focus will become a reality at one point, and the Paris Motor Show might be the best place of any to announce it.

Source: AutoExpress

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2012 Ford Focus ST performance edition set to be revealed in Paris

At the end of last week, we reported on a Ferrari 458 Italia catching fire in Paris, France. Luckily for the owner, the blaze was quickly put out thanks to a passerby, and the luxury supercar sustained minimal damage.

Now, it seems that another French 458 Italia owner wasn’t so lucky. The smoldering remains you see above and below are all that remained after the Italian supercar caught fire while being parked in front of the owner’s home.

No one was hurt, but you can be sure that all new Ferrari 458 Italia owners are becoming more and more nervous. Still, at least they don’t own the current most fire-prone supercar, the Audi R8.

Source: Wrecked Exotics

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Ferrari 458 Italia burns to a crisp in France

After hearing at the beginning of the week that the next generation Mercedes-Benz A Class will borrow design cues from concepts like the F800 Style or the Concept Fascination, new details have now been revealed.

According to the rumor mongers from Autocar, the future A Class will also get the performance treatment from Mercedes’ AMG division.

It seems that the German company is so bent on rivaling the BMW 1 Series, a hot hatch version of the A Class has received the green light. Also, in order to rival the 1 Series Coupe, a similar version will also be offered for the A Class AMG.

Both models will benefit from a supercharged four-cylinder engine, complete with direct injection. According to the British magazine, its output will be around 270 HP and 280 lb-ft of torque, more than enough to rival hot hatches like the Volkswagen Golf R or the Ford Focus RS.

Still, don’t expect this performance A Class anytime soon, as the next generation is expect around 2012, so the AMG version will arrive a year later.

Source: Autocar

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Next gen Mercedes-Benz A Class to get AMG performance edition

Craigslist is akin to a magical place where anything is possible. You may find some great deals, but you may also expose yourself to con artists.

Luckily for 17-year-old Steven Ortiz, the popular auction website proved to be one of the best things that ever happened. He started his Craigslist ‘career’ by swapping an old phone for an iPod. He continued to trade his possessions, going from iPod to dirt bike and from that to a series of cars.

Eventually, Ortiz came across the deal of a lifetime, and swapped one of those cars for a pretty good looking Porsche Boxster.

His feat immediately became news, and a local ABC station conducted an interview with the Craigslist entrepreneur. Check the video out after the jump.

Source: ABC News via Autoblog

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Video: This 17-year-old swapped his way from an old phone to Porsche Boxster on Craigslist