German Car Zone

280hp only on FWD? No, thanks!

Focus RS out in the open

Our spies have caught on camera the hottest Focus yet.



Take a look at the best picture yet of Ford’s Focus RS! Just a few months after bosses gave the new hot hatch the green light (Issue 992), we caught this striking prototype testing in Germany.

While the car wears a previous-generation Focus ST bodykit, there’s a big giveaway that it’s no ordinary model – check out the giant scoop on the bonnet, which feeds the modified 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo engine with cool air.

Twin bonnet air vents, harking back to the Escort RS Cosworth, will replace the scoop on the production car. Blistered wheelarches, a rear wing and a low front splitter will also feature.

With a larger turbocharger, remapped electronics and a bigger intercooler, the 2.5-litre Focus ST-derived unit will produce around 280bhp, enabling the RS to sprint from 0-60mph in 5.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 155mph.

It’s likely that Ford will equip the newcomer with a clever electronic differential, giving the front-wheel-drive layout excellent traction.

A six-speed manual box will be fitted, but Ford’s new twin-clutch VW DSG-style Powershift transmission could appear, too. The RS will go on sale next year, priced around £25,000. A concept will be revealed at the British Motor Show in London in July


Source: New Ford Focus | Auto Express News | News | Auto Express

It's a damn shame Ford's new Focus RS won't make justice to this legend...






It was just an Escort, but it was a road legal version of the Escort of rally; think of it as an "Escort EVO".

It had a Turbocharged 2.0 16V engine that pumped out 220 Bhp and the power was delivered by a four-wheel-drive system with 60 % of the power going to the rear wheels. Because it was prepared for racing, the chassis could easily handle 300, 400 and even 500 Bhp making it into every tuner's wet dream.

Shame on you Ford for not living up to your promise to bring a proper successor to the good old Cossie.

What's disappointing is that the car will be FWD and not AWD.

The entire European Focus lineup would be so hot in the U.S., but oh well.

M

Production Ford Focus RS Spied on the Ring



Set to get 4WD?

At this summer's British Motor Show we will see the unveiling of a concept version of the Ford Focus RS, now we have the best shot yet of the production version whilst undergoing vigorous testing on the ring.

Taken by spies from Nurburgring enthusiast site bridgetogantry.com (BTG), they claim the production version will in fact be available with 4WD after witnessing the prototype over steer while powering round the circuit, previous reports stated that only FWD will be offered. If that isn't enough, BTG say the RS version of the Focus will pump out a monstrous 350bhp which far exceeds the 280-300bhp we had been expecting, leading us to believe that Ford are not only looking to do battle with the Mazda3 MPS and Subaru WRX STi but have their sights firmly fixed on ousting the 350hp VW R32.

We are still around 3 months away from the unveiling of the concept version, so we will have to wait and see if initial specifications reach these scaly heights (oh boy we hope so!!!), but keep an eye out as the pre motor show leaks begin to unravel.

Source:Bridgetograntry.com via WCF
Production Ford Focus RS Spied on the Ring

What 350 Bhp VW R32 is there that needs to be "ousted"?

Probably typographic mistake. The article is BS anyway. The Focus RS won't get 4wd.