RE: Focus Cosworth takes a bow

RE: Focus Cosworth takes a bow

Monday 29th October 2012

Focus Cosworth takes a bow

British tuner creates 330hp one-off ST for Ford



The Escort Cosworth is back! Okay, not quite but Cosworth and Ford have just reunited to show a mighty one-off version of the Focus ST at the SEMA tuner extravaganza in Las Vegas starting tomorrow.

The iconic Brit engineering firm (currently up for sale) has managed to extract 330hp from the same two-litre turbo Ecoboost engine that makes 250hp in the ST. Even Radical in its reworking of the same engine could 'only' make 300hp.

Cosworth and Ford brought us this...
Cosworth and Ford brought us this...
The bodywork is the creation of an American outfit called M&J Enterprises before you blame Cosworth for that (although we're secretly quite liking it).

No, the interesting thing there is the engine and the fact that Ford is back publically collaborating with Cosworth.

There wasn't much information from Cosworth about HOW the power increase was achieved, although the press release does talk about "optimization of the exhaust and induction systems". We'd wager the engineers have lashed on a ruddy big turbo, delivering the punch but also lag of the sort that used to make the original Escort Cosworth from the early 90s so interesting to drive.

The Focus is one of five that Ford is showing at SEMA, and officially the link is between Cosworth and Ford Racing. Maybe Ford over there doesn't realize the strong historical bond between Cosworth and its performance road cars we know over here...

And this wasn't half bad either...
And this wasn't half bad either...
These days Ford in Europe collaborates with Revolve and its subsidiary Mountune to extract maximum power for cars like the RS, but that partnership has always lacked the evocative name meld that Cosworth used to bring. Even Revolve's old name of Roush didn't really cut it.

Cosworth's last big job for Ford on its performance road cars in this segment was the 170hp engine for the Focus ST170. That was an impressive tuning of the Duratec two-litre of the sort that Cosworth still does for customer cars. The BAC Mono for example has a 280hp Cosworth-tuned Duratec that goes very nicely indeed.

Ford definitely shouldn't buy Cosworth (we like a bit of variety), but wouldn't it be nice to see that badge attached to its extreme performance machines again?

Author
Discussion

M666 EVO

Original Poster:

1,124 posts

161 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
Vile

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
Is this 330bhp through the front wheels?! eek
Holy understeer.

Liquid Tuna

1,398 posts

155 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
Needs a MASSIVE whale tail spoiler!!

skene

2,280 posts

171 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
These STs look immeasurably better in the metal than they do on the Internet. Saw one last week, albeit a standard one and it looked amazing!

RTH

1,057 posts

211 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
These ST/RS Focus variants need to be rebodied under a smaller lighter 2 door coupe bodyshell to give it some desirable looks to go with all the rest they have developed. Ford should add a sports/GT car to the range.

Ashley1987

698 posts

138 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
I can't see that going through corners that well. I could be wring....whoops ironic.

rhinochopig

17,932 posts

197 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
Apologies to the author but what a daft thing to say: "Even Radical in its reworking of the same engine could 'only' make 300hp."

Chuck mods at the engine and you can make double that with ease. Perhaps Radical thought that 300 was enough and felt that it was the optimum balance of power delivery and outright BHP?

PaulG40

2,381 posts

224 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
Has this thing got that Revo Knuckle ATB thing or is that just the RS?

Alot of power there.

Twincam16

27,646 posts

257 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
RTH said:
These ST/RS Focus variants need to be rebodied under a smaller lighter 2 door coupe bodyshell to give it some desirable looks to go with all the rest they have developed. Ford should add a sports/GT car to the range.
It's on its way - the 2014 'World' Mustang will be sold in the UK with RHD and a range including some more Euro-friendly Ecoboost engines. It'll still be RWD though, like a modern Capri with a V8 option.

Any word on the drivetrain? IMO this NEEDS to be 4WD!

TTmonkey

20,911 posts

246 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
Shame you cant get the old RS with the new models engine....

X5TUU

11,907 posts

186 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
If only it was in imperial blue

Uncle John

4,269 posts

190 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
TTmonkey said:
Shame you cant get the old RS with the new models engine....
Er why??

New engines are considerably less exciting.

Oddball RS

1,757 posts

217 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
Hmmmmm i think the colour are the least of its problems...............

HedgehogFromHell

2,072 posts

178 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
TTmonkey said:
Shame you cant get the old RS with the new models engine....
I'll keep my 2.5T thanks!

The new STs are better in the flesh but by God they need to sort out the bumper/bonnet join! The panel gap is worse than on an early Rover!

RedTrident

8,290 posts

234 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
3 doors, 4 wheel drive with a Cosworth badge and priced around £30,000. It'll sell all day long.

Twincam16

27,646 posts

257 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
HedgehogFromHell said:
TTmonkey said:
Shame you cant get the old RS with the new models engine....
I'll keep my 2.5T thanks!

The new STs are better in the flesh but by God they need to sort out the bumper/bonnet join! The panel gap is worse than on an early Rover!
Oh no! Pass me some whisky and a gun!

RTH

1,057 posts

211 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all


This was a Ford in 1971 the GT70 - started life as a project devised by Roger Clark and Stuart Turner for rallying with a view to putting it in to production the Ghia styling house did a fully trimmed road version.
Started with a mid mounted Cologne 2.9 V6 just as they put a BDG in it , sorted the handling , senior management cancelled it in a round of company cuts.

405dogvan

5,326 posts

264 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
Bloody hell that's hideous...

  • Check he's not seeing things*
Nope, hideous...

nick-elise

114 posts

211 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
Not very nice, they look like Kahns on there too?! http://www.kahndesign.com/wheels/wheels_detail.php...

Not the direction I would expect a fast ford to take!

HedgehogFromHell

2,072 posts

178 months

Monday 29th October 2012
quotequote all
Twincam16 said:
Oh no! Pass me some whisky and a gun!
I've got the first but the seconds locked up at work!