Ford Launches Hot Focus in Europe
Discussion
From the Car Connection today.......
While Subaru and Mitsubishi have been selling hot sedans using the technology and glamour of the rally cars for years, there has been no rally-based Ford Focus to add spice to the showroom floor – until now.
After an extended gestation period, Ford has finally started production of the Focus RS (Rallye Sport), a 215-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter version of the top-selling sedan that’s good for a top speed of 144 mph and will do the zero to 60 mph run in just 6.4 seconds. Tricked out with equipment from the specialists that supply the factory rally team, it will sell at a hefty premium. To add to its appeal for the fans, it will be a strictly limited edition, produced at the rate of just 30 units a day.
The car was developed under the control of Martin Leach, President and COO of Ford of Europe, who started the job when he was Vice President of European Product Development. Leach is a performance car fan and drives in amateur races and takes a personal interest in the performance and handling of the product. He likes to get things right, and it has taken a long time for Ford to get the RS up to the high standards he insisted upon. For some time now, magazines and enthusiast Web sites in Europe have been talking about the RS, but time and time again Ford has put back the launch date. Now it’s fixed however, with production starting at the Saarlouis plant in Germany in mid-September – a year adrift from the date the car was first due.
The wait should be worthwhile. With components like the turbocharger, brakes, clutch, dampers, wheels and seats from the same companies that supply the factory rally cars, the RS is well ahead on the technology front. There’s also a special torque-biasing differential, developed from competition experience, that is designed to avoid the problems that can arise with large amounts of power being fed through the front wheels.
There’s no talk of sending the rally-bred car across to the U.S., but with Subaru and Mitsubishi working hard to publicize the U.S. rally championship, and a major effort going into making World Rally a TV spectacular, rallying could be the next big thing. If it does take off, Ford has the car to take advantage of it.
While Subaru and Mitsubishi have been selling hot sedans using the technology and glamour of the rally cars for years, there has been no rally-based Ford Focus to add spice to the showroom floor – until now.
After an extended gestation period, Ford has finally started production of the Focus RS (Rallye Sport), a 215-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter version of the top-selling sedan that’s good for a top speed of 144 mph and will do the zero to 60 mph run in just 6.4 seconds. Tricked out with equipment from the specialists that supply the factory rally team, it will sell at a hefty premium. To add to its appeal for the fans, it will be a strictly limited edition, produced at the rate of just 30 units a day.
The car was developed under the control of Martin Leach, President and COO of Ford of Europe, who started the job when he was Vice President of European Product Development. Leach is a performance car fan and drives in amateur races and takes a personal interest in the performance and handling of the product. He likes to get things right, and it has taken a long time for Ford to get the RS up to the high standards he insisted upon. For some time now, magazines and enthusiast Web sites in Europe have been talking about the RS, but time and time again Ford has put back the launch date. Now it’s fixed however, with production starting at the Saarlouis plant in Germany in mid-September – a year adrift from the date the car was first due.
The wait should be worthwhile. With components like the turbocharger, brakes, clutch, dampers, wheels and seats from the same companies that supply the factory rally cars, the RS is well ahead on the technology front. There’s also a special torque-biasing differential, developed from competition experience, that is designed to avoid the problems that can arise with large amounts of power being fed through the front wheels.
There’s no talk of sending the rally-bred car across to the U.S., but with Subaru and Mitsubishi working hard to publicize the U.S. rally championship, and a major effort going into making World Rally a TV spectacular, rallying could be the next big thing. If it does take off, Ford has the car to take advantage of it.
Funny that, saw one of these one the road just two days ago. That is of course unless some sad person had stuck an RS sticker from an Escort on the back of their Focus. No couldn't be that, could it, try to imitate a car that isn't even out yet...
You'll be telling me people deck out their BMW 316 as an M next...
>> Edited by phil1 on Thursday 15th August 10:19
You'll be telling me people deck out their BMW 316 as an M next...
>> Edited by phil1 on Thursday 15th August 10:19
thought you were just being sarky! Sorry mate! We have actually got cars out on the road from time to time, so if you're Essex way, keep your eyes peeled!
As for the sticking of badges to make it faster..
always amuses me that! I think the funniest ones are the Cossies that have "SORTED" instead of "Escort"Gassing Station | Motoring News | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff