Wednesday 10th December 2008

Focus RS: More Details

Hot Ford to have nearly 300bhp!

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Ford has released new images and a few more details about its eagerly awaited Focus RS.

Deliveries of the latest fast Ford start in March, and 1,500 UK customers have already handed over their deposits – even though a predicted £25k price tag for the car has yet to be confirmed.

Visually the Focus RS promises plenty of go, and drivers shouldn’t be disappointed. Under that vented bonnet there’s a 296bhp version of the Focus ST’s five-cylinder engine that’s reputed to propel the RS from 0-62mph in 5.9secs. Top speed is electronically limited to 155mph, although Ford insiders claim an unrestricted version would be good for over 160mph.

Although engineers did consider four-wheel-drive for the hottest Focus, the extra cost and weight was ditched in favour of a specially developed limited slip differential with automatic torque biasing developed in the UK by Quaife. Together with Ford’s so-called RevoKnuckle suspension – basically a tweaked MacPherson strut set-up – the system supposedly limits torque steer and maximises traction to make 4x4 unnecessary.

Lowered ride height, a wider track, more powerful brakes and an upgraded stability control system complete the technical enhancements over more mundane Foci. Visually, the production RS pictured here in ‘Performance Blue’ appears unchanged from the ‘Ultimate Green’ model revealed at the Birmingham motor show – ‘Frozen White’ will be the only other colour on the options list.

Inside the new pictures reveal 'traditional' RS Recaro seats, carbon-trimmed centre console and an aluminium-trimmed shifter.

 

[Frimley111R]

Not boring enough inside!

[btdk5]

...comes standard with illegally tinted windows.

[dele]

I didnt like the look of it in that Green colour but seeing it in Blue makes me strangely attracted to it lol

But i still think that "near" 300bhp isnt really that incredible, id of liked to of seen it more 350bhp, 300 isnt that hard to get from the ST.

And, i know it would never happen, but i still hate the fact it doesnt have AWD/4WD :P

[Tony*T3]

btdk5 said:

...comes standard with illegally tinted windows.

Just about all press photos have cars with highly opaque windows.

Its an 'Art' thing.

[Rob ST]

What with the induction pipe, looks so small compared to the ST, I would have thought that they would have to make it bigger to allow more air through to the turbo. I know my uprated one is about twise the width of than on my car.
Anyway apart from that, it looks great. and i'm sure i'm not the only one that can't wait to get their hands on the car to start modding the engine and get even more power out of the beast.
350bhp should be acheievable in my opinion.

Edited by Rob ST on Wednesday 10th December 11:52

Edited by Rob ST on Wednesday 10th December 11:52

Edited by Rob ST on Wednesday 10th December 11:53

[The Donster]

I had one of the first STs and the sombre interior suited the relaxed attitude of the five-pot in that motor. But I can't help thinking Ford should have been a bit more different with the RS's cockpit - you know, a splash of body colour a-la Fiat Coupe, possibly repositioning the boost and temp gauges (never liked them there in the ST, anyway), that sort of thing. I would love to have seen a cage in there too, but maybe that's going a shade too far for some.....

Edited by The Donster on Wednesday 10th December 11:57

[Oh Behave]

Still not sure whether its worth its 25k plus price tag but I shall reserve judgement until it is realeased

[posterboy]

Looks very nice!!

[kavanagh]

anything with rs cosworth on it is going to be a legend,slightly disapointed it isnt going to be 4wd!,lets hope they done the right choice!,i still would sell a kidney for it

[kavanagh]

sorry,not cosworth,just rs,

kavanagh said:

anything with rs cosworth on it is going to be a legend,slightly disapointed it isnt going to be 4wd!,lets hope they done the right choice!,i still would sell a kidney for it

[Teggers]

The jury is still out here. Still disappointed at the lack of 4wd as this is supposed to be the 'Rallye' Sport version.

"a specially developed limited slip differential with automatic torque biasing developed in the UK by Quaife" Is this not what the Mk1 RS had too that gave rise to all those claims of 'dangerous torque steer' etc? I have to add I have not driven the old RS so don't know how accurate said claims are.

Honestly? I think it looks the part - the bland interior won't be distracting the driver from the business of driving. I'll still be sticking with RWD though.

[beano9]

I love it! Ill take mine in white please!

[S1mon L]

Front wheel drive!!!

[powerhungry]

Want one in white and a weekend in southend ah the old days

[knighty]

when oh when will Ford admit they nicked the engine from Volvo......dont get me wrong its a cracking engine, but its certainly not a "ford" engine, yes Ford own Volvo, but they have very little input into Volvos engines........as for being 2WD I think Ford made the correct decision for once, 4WD is too heavy for track use, way too expensive, and only needed if your going rallying, its been proven on countless track tests that 2WD cars are faster.

ever wondered why ford never made another escort cosworth - because they lost money on every one they sold, ford got their fingers badly burnt due to excessive cost.......hence 2WD is a good move in my book.....if ford make profit on this one, expect more!

Edited by knighty on Wednesday 10th December 12:20

[Goochie]

Is it just me that thinks the Focus will soon become "The new Impreza" in terms of its chavability and number of appearances in McDonalds car parks ?

[brogenville]

Ahh, pieces of hoover piping in the engine bay... brings back memories of bodged CAI kits!

[Cupramax]

With the current financial climate I very much doubt anything vaguely chav like will be able to afford this for several decades

Edited by Cupramax on Wednesday 10th December 12:29

[kambites]

I really don't like that rear diffuser or the shape of the front bumper.

[vz-r_dave]

Goochie said:

Is it just me that thinks the Focus will soon become "The new Impreza" in terms of its chavability and number of appearances in McDonalds car parks ?

Do you spend alot of time in mcdonalds car parks? Are you not a chav yourself?

Stupid generalising suggestion eh..