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Tags: 2008, Ford, Focus, RS, Official, Released

Tag Links: 2008, Ford, Focus, RS, Official, Released

2008 Ford Focus RS Official Released
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. Read Article
2008 Ford Focus RS Official Released



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StarStar - 6/12/2008 10:59:36 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
carguy68carguy68 - 6/12/2008 11:12:10 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
ubercoolubercool - 6/12/2008 1:02:07 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Looks good so far.

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Homer007Homer007 - 6/12/2008 1:39:42 PM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
from this angle, does it not remind you of good old 80's Honda CRX?

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NSXRNSXR - 6/12/2008 4:47:37 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Very nice! I hope it comes to the U.S. With the downsizing going to the increasing cost of fuel; it would be nice to more pocket rockets to choose from.


WhelanWhelan - 6/12/2008 5:12:28 PM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Hey look, the Focus we should have gotten with the power they need. Time to upscale themselves from fleet cars and compete directly with the 3, Civic,

Corolla, and Sentra. And adding a performance model like this would just wipe the floor with the others. Corolla has dropped out of that game only offering a 2.4L 164hp engine right out of the Tc and Xb. More weight, less performance. The Civic still has the Si but needs to break that 200hp mark soon with the next edition. Maybe it's time to expand their turbo from just the Acura RDX, or drop in the 2.4L Elemen/TSX motor with 215hp. As for Nissan, the Sentra SE-R is lame, boxy, and not as fun as it's last generation. And the Mazdaspeed 3 is the new top gun here. Fast, great style, and awesome details with special seats, trim, amenities, etc. I drool at the sight.

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RupertRupert - 6/12/2008 7:03:48 PMView My AgentSpace
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Cool! Should be pretty darn quick with 280 hp.
And "customers will get the first look at a production-intent vehicle with its world premiere at the London Motor Show in late July."
I'm going! (Hopefully, I might be on holiday)

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Matthew1Matthew1 - 6/13/2008 1:52:53 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
If you do a quick search of the net you can find camo-free official shots of the car...

*cough* Carscoop.blogspot, etc. *cough*

*clears throat*


EvoAudiEvoAudi - 6/13/2008 1:54:03 AMView My AgentSpace
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
U.S(?) Please....

If ford could bring this over for 27-36K they would take a 1/3 of Evo/Sti buyers, 1/3 of GTi/Speed3 owners, and bring a lot of people into the market of a hot hatch.

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