Ford Focus WRC 03

Testosterone rules!

It's a much more aggressive looking beast in comparison to the 2002 car, in fact it's 80% new, being the first product from Ford Rallye Sport's new technical director Christian Loriaux. As well as the in-yer-face styling changes, there's a new rear suspension system, improved weight distribution and new, lighter 2.0-litre turbocharged Duratec engine developed and built by Cosworth Racing.

Ford Rallye Sport and Ford’s mainstream engineering teams worked side by side on the project, which should see many of the developments making their way into road cars eventually.

"I’m genuinely excited by what the team has developed here and I think the car looks sensational," said Martin Whitaker, Ford's European director of motorsport. "Ford is at the forefront of rally technology with this car and I believe it takes the sport to a new, higher level."

Despite the extra bodywork, weight has been kept to a minimum and some areas have been strengthened including a more sturdy roll cage.

The Ford Focus RS WRC 03 will undergo the necessary parts inspections by the FIA later this week and is due to be officially homologated as a World Rally Car on April 1. Markko Märtin and co-driver Michael Park and Belgian teammates François Duval and Stéphane Prévot will drive the new cars in 2003. The team’s third pairing of Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen will continue to drive a 2002-specification Focus WRC for the rest of the season.

Expect some spectacular rallying this year and also some pitiful immitations from the bolt-on-boys