The new Ford Focus will be presented this year to Latin American and USA customers, but European clients will always be naturally ahead of the rest of the world. A pretty good example of that is the new Ford Focus RS, scheduled to be officially presented at the 2008 edition of the British Motor Show. Although we will have to wait until July 22 to see it in metal and wheels, its first official pictures have been released today.
Besides the striking looks of the new hot hatch, which you can see with your own eyes in these pictures, the Focus RS, the second Focus to be honoured with this badge, will have 300 bhp and 410 Nm under its bonnet. Since development is still ongoing, there may even be a few extra horses to push this beautiful piece of machinery.
Although apparently aesthetical, most changes in the car respond to functional needs, such as the two bonnet louvres, needed to keep the turbocharged Duratec 2.5-litre 5-cylinder engine in the right temperature, the wider wheel arches, for the 40 mm wider track, Recaro seats, for a better driving experience and so forth. The car is said to reach 100 km/h, from standstill, in under 6 s.
Since the car has kept its front wheel drive system, surely for cost reasons (although Ford claims the problem was the added weight), it had to count on some assistance to remain an obedient little car. That’s why Ford has equipped it with a Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing limited-slip differential, but this is just part of the package. The other part is what Ford calls “RevoKnuckle”, a new front suspension system that works with the Quaife differential in order to avoid torque steer.
If it has worked or not, in a 300 bhp front-wheel drive car, is something we will have to check for ourselves when the car is available for the press test-driving. After its introduction, the new Ford Focus RS will keep being developed to reach the streets, what will happen by the beginning of 2009. We only hope it will spread to other markets as well as the regular versions of the new Focus. Start asking for it, World Car Fans!
London Motor Show preview for exciting new Ford Focus RS
Genuine RS performance with 300PS
Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing limited-slip differential and innovative ‘RevoKnuckle’, for assured handling and traction
Expressive design exudes high performance intent
BRENTWOOD, July 4, 2008 – The legendary Ford RS performance car brand is returning in the shape of the exciting new Ford Focus RS, which will be previewed on July 22 at the 2008 London International Motor Show.
The new Focus RS will go on sale in early 2009 and is being created by a small team of dedicated engineers, under the direction of Jost Capito, Ford of Europe’s Vehicle Line Director for Performance Vehicles.
For performance road car enthusiasts, the new model will mark a welcome return for the Ford RS badge. This will be the second Focus model to carry the RS mantle and promises another exciting chapter in an exciting 40-year story that began in Germany in the late 1960s and gained momentum across Europe with the launch of the 1970 Escort RS1600.
Capito said: “We want the new Focus RS to be a serious high performance car – 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 an exciting, yet affordable performance road car you can live with every day.”
Authentic RS presence and style
Before it even turns a wheel, the new Focus RS exudes the presence, sporty style and lowered, ‘meaner’ appearance expected of a genuine Ford RS. Overt performance styling details mix with subtle revisions to create a planted, powerful stance and the promise of an exciting drive.
The London show car previews the design intent for a final production vehicle, though as development work continues, some final details may change before volume production begins.
The vehicle is finished in a special bright green paint with inlaid metallic flake, a striking, modern interpretation of the 1970s Le Mans Green of the Escort RS1600 era.
The vibrant exterior colour is contrasted with a number of performance styling details highlighted in gloss ‘piano black’, including the strip at the leading edge of the bonnet, the deep housings for the integrated front fog lamps and door mirrors with integrated side indicators.
Front and rear quarter panels have been revised to incorporate wider wheel arches and a wider track, complemented by revised, deeper side rocker mouldings. In another visual reminder of the car’s performance potential, triangular, RS-badged vents sit behind the front wheel arches. Two classic-style bonnet louvres are both a styling hint at the power beneath and a practical requirement, maintaining correct system temperatures.
The completely new front bumper design for Focus RS incorporates a deep front airdam with a large, mesh lower grille in an extended trapezoid. Stylish and practical, this prominent feature represents the latest Ford 'kinetic design' face and also is finished in piano black. Above, chromed xenon headlamps stand out like cat’s eyes and are framed by matt-black housings with unique additional vents running underneath.
At the rear, a deep new rear bumper incorporates a large venturi tunnel to its lower edge with small vents at each corner of the bumper, emphasizing the car’s width. Two impressive chromed exhaust tailpipes sit each side of the black venturi, creating a purposeful rear view for the car.
Above, a unique, twin-element, black RS rear spoiler sits at the Focus RS’ roofline, echoing both RS models of the past and the World Rally-winning Focus WRC that has been its inspiration.
“We believe it’s vitally important that a Focus RS looks like both a Focus and an RS – it needs to be individual, distinctive and overt in its performance styling, but it also needs to show a clear progression from and relationship to Focus ST”, said Stefan Lamm, Chief Exterior Designer, Ford of Europe.
High performance interior
Inside, this theme continues with a unique and appropriately performance-oriented interior, dominated by bespoke, sculpted Recaro high-performance sports seats, specially designed and trimmed for excellent support, even when driving enthusiastically. Each is colour-matched to the exterior, with ebony leather accents and ‘RS’ and ‘Recaro’ logos stitched into each backrest.
Elsewhere, colour brings new excitement to the Focus interior, building on the sporty interior theme of Focus ST with more use of accents matched to the exterior colour, brushed aluminium highlights and overt performance styling. Even the rear seats feature higher side bolsters and a microfibre finish to echo those up front.
The centre console is finished in a stylish gloss, carbon-look trim and metallic highlights abound, from air vents, door grab handles, switchgear and gearshift surround, to unique RS-branded scuff plates on the door sills. These highlights contrast with a black-trimmed roof lining, emphasising the sporty, cockpit feel.
The driver is reminded this is a special Focus at every touch, with a gear lever finished with a six speed gear shift graphic in RS blue, a sporty, three-spoke steering wheel, finished with ‘Ford’ and ‘RS’ logos and even aluminium foot pedals. The performance driving environment is completed by three additional gauges from the Focus ST, including turbo pressure, sitting atop the centre console and angled toward the driver’s eyeline.
Powerful RS heart
At the heart of the all-new Focus RS is a specially developed, turbocharged version of the Duratec 2.5-litre 5-cylinder engine. Significantly revised for high performance, this powerplant is targeting an impressive power output of 300PS and over 410Nm of torque, contributing to an excellent power-to-weight ratio.
Such significant increases are not simply the result of altering engine management or boost pressure: starting with the Duratec 2.5-litre block, Ford RS engineers developed unique camshafts, a revised cylinder head and gasket and revised intake and exhaust manifold system for the car.
Although the car is still in development, prior to its launch in early 2009, early performance testing indicates a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) time of under six seconds.
A traction ‘Revo’-lution
Throughout Focus RS’ development, Capito and his team have been keeping a sharp focus on creating a car that delivers excellent performance and traction.
Various innovations, developed as a result of customer feedback from previous performance Fords, have allowed engineers to keep the new Focus RS as front-wheel drive, with a limited-slip differential, while still achieving demanding targets for traction, handling and steering.
The new Ford Focus RS is equipped with an innovative front suspension system known as a ‘RevoKnuckle’, which is designed to reduce unwanted steering disturbance and torque steer, the impact of torque on steering in front-wheel driven vehicles. Torque steer occurs during hard acceleration, cornering or driving on uneven surfaces, when torque on the driven wheels exceeds grips levels. It is characterised by sudden turning force on the steering wheel and can be exacerbated by vehicles with wide tyres and limited-slip differentials.
In Focus RS, the RevoKnuckle works in conjunction with a Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing limited-slip differential. Ford Team RS engineers have worked closely with Ford's Advanced Research Centre in Aachen, Germany to develop the RevoKnuckle technology specifically for the high performance Focus RS. It allows the simplicity of a traditional McPherson strut arrangement, but with geometry settings that minimize steering disturbances and torque steer, principally a reduction in steering offset.
“The Ford Focus is an excellent base for a high performance car – agile, responsive and stable,” explained Capito. “We studied at length how best to enhance these qualities for a high performance model. Our work has shown clearly that our approach in combining a tuned RevoKnuckle with the Quaife differential is an ideal solution for a high performance front-wheel-drive road car like Focus RS.
“As you would expect, we gave all-wheel-drive careful consideration, but by combining and tuning these elements and learning from Ford’s expertise in industry-leading handling, we have managed to eliminate the weight of AWD from the car and still have been able to target a class-leading balance of traction, handling and performance.
“The result is a lightweight set-up, that will deliver the right blend of traction and razor sharp controllability – in a way no one would have expected from front-wheel-drive, and we believe we have made the right choice,” Capito concluded.
Dynamic, agile and responsive
A genuine Focus RS must maintain and enhance the reputation for responsive, precise handling for which Focus is acclaimed and considerable engineering effort has ensured that the new Focus RS will do just that.
Driving quality developments for Focus RS include a 40mm wider track, stronger, longer driveshafts, revised springs and dampers and a thicker, longer rear anti-roll bar. At the same time, the steering system has been retuned to provide an even sharper steering response and very precise feedback.
Brakes also have been uprated, with 336mm ventilated front discs and 300mm rear discs generating vice-like stopping power on road or track. Large calipers peek out from behind unique 19-inch wheels, wrapped in 235/35 low profile Continental tyres.
A special version of Ford’s ESP system has also been developed for Focus RS, designed to allow a very sporty driving style before activating. Intensive work to refine the natural handling abilities of the car has allowed the ESP system to carry a full de-activation option for enthusiast drivers and especially for track use.
“We are refining all the handling characteristics of Focus RS without ESP, to hone its natural responses, rather than use ESP to help its handling. In Focus RS, ESP is a pure safety device”, explained Capito.
Reliable and durable
In creating the new Focus RS, Ford’s Team RS engineers have had to meet the same stringent targets for durability and reliability as those set for the rest of the Focus range.
Despite its many bespoke engineering and styling elements, Focus RS will be built entirely on the main Focus production line in Saarlouis, Germany and offered with a standard Ford of Europe warranty.
A great heritage
The new Focus RS represents a significant moment in the heritage of both the Focus and Ford RS brands.
It is 10 years since the Ford Focus was first revealed to the world at the Geneva Motor Show in 1998, paving the way for a range of Ford vehicles whose exciting design was matched by class-leading driving quality. Since this time, more than 5.3 million Ford Focus models have been built in Europe, including Russia, with the car also built and sold in North America and Asia.
At the same time, the new Focus RS marks the return of the famous but rare Ford RS badge, last seen on the first-generation Focus RS in 2002 and with a distinguished heritage stretching back 38 years including Fiesta, Escort and Sierra models.
“RS is uniquely important to us in terms of our performance heritage and World Rally Championship success, while the Focus has played a major part in establishing Ford’s excellent reputation for driving dynamics," said John Fleming, Ford of Europe President and CEO. "The all-new Focus RS will embrace and celebrate both of these – it will be a genuine RS and a genuine Focus and I’m confident it won’t disappoint in either area”.
Swifthead
July 4, 2008 2:21:14 PM
That`s what am I talking about :D Go Ford go....this is so cool car...
Damn this thing suuure is ugly as hell....looks like a prime example of a cartoon boy races tuner with cheap paint.....yuck... 300 hp will love to see this handle....if they pull it off, respect...still fugly...
Nissan has been doing high hp 2 the front wheels for a while. altima has been doing it since 02 and maxima has been doing it a little bit before that. My altima 2006 gets 250hp and can already do 0-60 in a little under 5.9 seconds. Plus with its nice a subtle looks, I wont be harrassed by the cops
They don't have AWD technology for this platform, it would take them years and millions to make one.
I have good news from the color department though. They said; and this is something that has never been done before; that you can even PICK the color you want your car in! Doesn't that just BLOW YOUR MIND?!?
LMS this car car looks like a WRC car.If AWD would take years to develop, Maybe they should of developed it years ago.And thanks for your insight into the colour options. I couldn't sleep last night,Because i thought they were building them all green.
This platform supports at least 5 more models in the European lineup, the WRC car has nothing in common with this car and it would be unwise, even stupid, to invest in AWD for one special edition. Also, keep in mind that the European ST version shifts more cars than your American RS will.
If you're already aware of the vast choices of colors you have when buying a car, then what exactly is your point when you say "lose the green"?
I've never had or cared about American cars, but if Ford were to bring this car to the U.S. I would definitely look into it. Very nice nice car and that color looks awesome! Good job.
I like ford went out and boosted this car to 300bhp! It looks very aggressive, I like the wheel arches and headlights. Now we can have an american showdown between the Ford Focus RS, Dodge Caliber SRT-4 300hp, and the Chevy HHR SS 260hp.
Thankfully in Mexico we get the euro spec Focus ST, don't know if the RS version will come as it will be perhaps too expensive... at least we don't get the crappy looks of the US Focus...
This car would definitely make me stop by the Ford showroom to take a look at it. . .the last time I went into a Ford showroom was back in the 80's when my dad bought a Bronco because he needed a 4X4.
This car would be one hot seller here in the U.S. if Ford offered it here with a choice of AWD or RWD.You'd that with the money they are losing if would make sense to spend the money to build something that would make some money for Ford instead of building cars that nobody wants.
if someone's able to release a driveable + fun 300hp fwd, that's ford europe with the help of their motorsport dept. so i have total confidence in this treat.. in a compact sportscar awd just means more weight and less mpg, worthless unless you live in the alps or northern canada, get over it
I'm glad that they didnt try to make it too subtle... thats for the upmarket marques hothatches. This has the looks to compete with the Astra VXR (though still not as pretty)
This will be a great car, and I am very confident that FoE have worked greatly against torque steer. As many have said, It would be impractical to develop an AWD or RWD system JUST for this car. The Chevy has nothing to do with it. Also, I reckon this car will achieve quite acceptable MPG if you don't drive like a moron. And I also believe that this will undercut the price of an R32 anyway. I'm liking what Ford everywhere apart from the USA is doing alot at the moment...
Fantastic car in any other colour. Incredible specs. Would dump my MK5 GTI for this in a few years no problem. But fuel economy is a big issue. This kind of power in a 2.5 litre petrol engine will be severe and I can't see myself affording (or wanting to for that matter) the on-going fuel costs on such a beast.
That`s what am I talking about :D Go Ford go....this is so cool car...