In the midst of the controversial Ford Focus RS renderings, which apparently were not frauds but instead early illustrations from a year ago to present to board members for approval, Ford has released today photos of an early Focus RS prototype undergoing performance and durability testing at the Nürburgring Circuit in Germany.
Set for its European market launch in early 2009, Ford confirms the Focus RS will be front-wheel-drive with a limited slip differential and feature the same turbocharged Duratec 2.5-litre five cylinder in the 225 PS Focus ST, however, optimized to generate over 280PS and more than 400 Nm of torque.
The public will have their first look at a “production-intended” Focus RS vehicle at its world premiere at the London Motor Show in late July. Further technical details of the all-new Focus RS will be released closer to launch.
NEW FORD FOCUS RS ON TRACK AS FIRST DETAILS CONFIRMED
Cologne, June 12, 2008 – Ford RS is back and the all-new Focus RS is on track! An early prototype of the fastest Focus road car to date is now undergoing performance and durability testing at the challenging Nürburgring Circuit in Germany, in preparation for its launch in 2009.
The principal architect of the Focus RS project is Ford of Europe’s Vehicle Line Director for Performance Vehicles, Jost Capito, whose Team RS development group were responsible for the first generation Focus RS in 2002, and more recently, the Fiesta ST and the new Focus ST.
Capito said: “The new Focus RS is as much a car for driving enthusiasts as the one before it and classic Ford RS models of the past. We’re staying true to the core RS principles of a no-compromise, affordable high performance road car you can live with. The new Focus RS will have the muscles, heart and soul of a genuine RS and will be exciting to drive every day.”
The all-new Focus RS features a specially developed, turbocharged version of the Duratec 2.5-litre engine, based on Focus ST, but significantly revised to generate over 280PS and more than 400 Nm of torque, thus achieving an excellent power-to-weight ratio.
Various chassis innovations, developed in conjunction with Ford’s Advanced Engineering Centre in Aachen are being tuned for the new car by the Cologne-based Ford Team RS. Their overriding objective is to achieve optimized driving dynamics and on road performance through an advanced technology front-wheel drive system, combined with a limited-slip differential.
“In early prototypes based on Focus ST vehicles, the new system is more than meeting our targets for exceptional levels of traction, handling and steering,” Capito added. “Given that the enthusiastic team behind the car are all performance vehicle enthusiasts, you can imagine that our standards are high.”
Ford Focus – A great starting point
The standard Ford Focus is an excellent base for a high performance car – agile, responsive and stable.
While the latest Focus ST has already proved this to be the case, the new RS will take these qualities to the next level, benefitting from extensive engineering knowledge gained through the Company’s highly successful Motorsport programmes, notably with the Focus World Rally Car.
“We have no doubt that we can enhance the acclaimed qualities of the already excellent Focus for an even higher performance model than the ST,” Capito added. “Now, we are going through the rigorous job of proving out our technical approach in extensive testing and tuning over a variety of roads including the most demanding track in the world, the “Green Hell” that is the Nürburgring Nordschleife!”
“With two consecutive Manufacturers’ World Rally Championship titles and the success of Fiesta and Focus ST models, we have the knowledge and the experience. The time is right for Ford to deliver a new high performance model for the legions of loyal Ford RS customers around Europe,” Capito concluded.
The new Focus RS test and development programme is now well underway and will continue for several months, prior to the vehicle being readied for production in early 2009.
Although the internet and car magazines around the globe have continued to offer their opinions as to how the new car will look and drive, customers will get the first look at a production-intent vehicle with its world premiere at the London Motor Show in late July.
Further technical details of the all-new Focus RS will be released closer to launch.
Have you ever driven a car above 200 bhp and FWD??? What could you possibly like in this car. It'll redefine the term "understeer"... They had such a good 4WD cars in the past... I don't think the LSD will help with such power and torque.
i don't think the MazdaSpeed 3 counts because it limits it's torque in 1st gear (and possibly 2nd as well, i don't quite remember). i don't even think Ford will manage to pull off a 280PS front driver, LSD or not.
they are crazy,how can they put FWD on a car with 280 hp and 400 nm,.....i hope for an 4wd to challenge an audi s3 or even new wrx sti, evo x...i dont think they will have a succes with this car,i was thinking for 4wd haldex from volvo ...this is a bad news and far as i know this is the only fwd with such power and torque from the factory.
It doesn't have to be that way. This car can be faster than the competition even with FWD. Autodelta Alfa Romeo 147 GTAm has over 300 hp from 3.7 liter engine and has a FWD. They also made a 156 with so much power. Alfa Romeo 147 GTA has 250 hp from 3.2 engine and FWD. I' ve seen a TV show like Top Gear or something, where they tested it against RS, Golf R32, Audi S3 and is faster than all of them, and I think the R32 has a 4x4.
Now the Autodelta Alfa 147 with over 300 hp is faster around the same track than the 4x4 Impreza, M3...
i saw top gear with these alfa but the problem is ford focus rs is turbo so i dont think alfa 147 gtam have the same torque 400 nm like focus rs because it have an non turbo engine,also the fun to drive an 4wd is lost,and autodelta i think is a limited edition just for UK.anyway the focus rs looks great ,thats it..
I've driven VW Golf GTI mk5 with small modifications. And I can tell you it sucks in corners when you push it hard... The combination of f.cked up balance and a lot of torque/power means nothing but bad handling. I don't argue with anybody that this car will handle good for its FWD and massive power, but compared to something similar with 4WD it will suck! It depends what kind of experience you have, but I think it should be obvious for everybody that this concept (FWD and 250 bhp ++) is not normal.
That is a damn nice Euro-hot hatch...they ought to build it as is. Should be a very fast car, even with FWD...there will be ways to keep this power in check, guaranteed.
