Thursday 13th November 2003

End of the RS

Last Focus RS finished already

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It seems like only a few months ago that the Focus RS was launched. In fact it was just over a year. The first one rolled off the production line on November 3rd 2002.

394 days of production have now been completed and 4501 models have rolled off the line. That makes it the most popular RS model to date.

All the cars were built at Ford’s Saarlouis plant in Germany and then sold in twenty one countries worldwide. 2,147 of them landed in Britain.

Ford of Britain’s managing director, Paul Thomas chirped: "We always knew Focus RS would be a sales winner, but we could never have predicted its fantastic reception and the effect it had in re-igniting passion for the Ford RS brand ."

Link: RS Reviewed

[danmangt40]

I really find it hard to believe that continuing to produce this car until, and perhaps through the launch of the new car (you know how porsche sold the 933 turbo alongside the 996 for a short while), wouldn't be very profitable to ford. And why not in the US? because the RS is an unknown quantity? no. B/c they don't want to usurp the SVT focus? um, hmmm....yeah, that would suck to have the option to spend a few grand more for 32 more hp and by far the best looking body pieces for the focus... this car needed to show up in the US

[Alfa Dave]

Huge engineering bill to put this car into the US - Evaporative emissions, tailpipe emissions, crash etc.... for what volume? Also knowing the manufacturing setup for Focus I don't think there's any way that you could build old alongside new, they will be changing a lot of lineside equipment which won't fit both cars.

[Podie]

Can't see the US going for it myself...

[LuS1fer]

Most popular model with speculators and rodeo cowboys I imagine.

[colin m]

I believe the US Focus is actually bigger than the European Focus (no suprise there!) So, making an Rs for the US market, would just about mean making a new car.

[Alfa Dave]

The US Focus is the same body as the European model, only thing that's bigger are the bumpers - due to American Crash regulations being different.

[colin m]

Not sure that's true Alfa Dave, I remember something Malcom Wilson said about this seasons Focus WRC, only thing is, what did he say !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DennisTheMenace]

The yank focus is the same as the euro focus , shame the yanks cant appreciate(sp?) the handling down a bumpy B road and see what the Focus is all about !

In a way im missing my Focus
shit engine (TDDI diesel) cracking car

[The DJ 27]

colin m said:

Not sure that's true Alfa Dave, I remember something Malcom Wilson said about this seasons Focus WRC, only thing is, what did he say !!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's true. Yank cars have to wear HUGE bumpers becuase of different crash rules. By basing this years Focus WRC on the American car, they made it longer, hence allowing them to put the rear wing a bit further back and play with various bits under the skin. So the shell, chassis etc is the same, its just the bumpers that are different