Ford Focus RS

Infobox Automobile


name = Ford Focus RS
manufacturer = Ford Europe
parent_company = Ford Motor Company
aka =
production = 2002-2003
4501 produced
assembly = Saarlouis, Germany
body_style = 3-door hatchback
layout = FF layout
platform = Ford C170 platform
Ford C1 platform
engine = 2.0 L I4 Zetec-E turbo
2.5 L I5 T5 turbo
transmission = 5-speed manual
wheelbase =
length =
width =
height =
weight =
fuel_capacity =
related = Ford Focus SVT
Ford Focus ST
designer =

The Ford Focus RS was a low-volume high-performance version of the first-generation Focus, available in 21 European countries. A future Focus RS based on the second-generation Focus is confirmed for production.

Focus RS Mark I

The Focus RS Mk I was produced from 2 October 2002 to 11 November 2003 and was Ford's return to the RS badge after the demise of the tweaked Escorts, particularly the fabled Ford Escort RS Cosworth. Production was limited to about 4500 from the outset, and the car was built on its own assembly line in Ford's Saarlouis plant. The RS was offered all over Europe, but 2147 were sold in the United Kingdom, by far its largest market. [cite web
url=http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display.cfm?release=16844
title=NUMBER’S UP FOR FORD FOCUS RS
publisher=media.ford.com
date=2003-11-11
accessdate=2008-02-27]

Development

The development of the Focus RS was undertaken by Tickford Engineering / Prodrive Tickford in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. Originally it was to be released as the Racing Focus, however after the poor selling Racing Puma, Ford decided to revive the RS badge. Initially the power output was specified to be 222 bhp, but issues with mechanical durability caused the power to be reduced.

Design

More bespoke than the prior Ford Focus SVT (rebadged the Focus ST170 in Europe), the Focus RS upgraded or replaced 70% of the standard Focus mechanicals. The turbocharged I4 engine produced convert|212|hp|kW and 310 Nm of torque, which was then mated to a 5-speed Getrag transmission. Mechanically, most notably, the car incorporated a Quaife automatic torque biasing differential to improve traction from the front-wheel drive setup. It was this differential that gave the car its largely undeserved reputation for extreme torque steer. The steering used the same quick ratio rack as the ST170 while the brakes used fixed calliper four piston Brembo units with 325mm discs at the front and single piston callipers and 280mm discs at the back. Wheels were 18" alloys specially developed by OZ Racing. The engine was heavily modified with forged aluminum pistons, forged connecting rods, hardened valve seats, sodium-filled exhaust valves and a stainless steel exhaust system. The forced induction system comprised a Garrett turbocharger in conjunction with a water-cooled charge air cooler and an electric water pump. To transmit the higher torque was an uprated AP clutch.

tyling

All Focus RSes had a solid blue paint scheme. In terms of bodywork, the look was visually similar to the standard Focus or to the ST170, but the RS featured unique front and rear bumper assemblies required for the wider wheel arches which accommodated the 65mm wider front track. Internally, the theme is blue and black with sections of blue leather trim on the door trim panels, the steering wheel and the Sparco seats which were trimmed in blue/black leather and Alcantara. A green starter button starts the engine. The instruments have a blue background and in place of the coolant temperature gauge, the RS was equipped with a boost pressure indicator (up to 1.5 bar). The gear lever knob, handbrake lever and pedals were all custom made by Sparco.

Performance

All-around performance was equal or better than its other competitors, including hot hatches such as the Honda Civic Type R and four-wheel drive cars in the same price field. However, power was a diminished priority, and the handling on a track, courtesy of the front differential, was considered by most observers to be the most important characteristic. In a Top Gear review, Jeremy Clarkson noted that "it lacks the straight-forward oomph of a Subaru Impreza. [...] The reason it was so quick round our track is simple: this car handles like it's in a cartoon." However, Clarkson and other motor journalists also doled out some criticism of the differential for causing torque steer and unruly behaviour on bumpy roads.

=Figures [cite web
url=http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display.cfm?release=16844
title=NUMBER’S UP FOR FORD FOCUS RS
publisher=media.ford.com
date=2003-11-11
accessdate=2008-02-27] [cite web
url=http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=99341
title=2002 Ford Focus RS technical specifications
publisher=Carfolio.com
date=2008-04-03
accessdate=2008-06-11] =

*0-convert|60|mph|km/h: 6.3 s
*0-convert|100|km/h|mph: 6.7 s
*0-convert|100|mph|km/h: 15.5 s
*convert|100|mph|km/h-0: 4.1 s (1.0 g in braking)
*Top speed: convert|232|km/h|mph
*Power-to-weight ratio: 168.88 bhp/ton
*Turns lock-to-lock: 2.9
*Standing ¼ mile: 14.8 s @ 98 mph
*Standing km: 26.2 s @ 201.0 km/h

Focus RS Mark II

When Ford completed the production run of the Mk I, Ford of Britain's managing director Paul Thomas said "“We always knew Focus RS would be a sales winner, but we could never have predicted its fantastic reception and the effect it had in re-igniting passion for the Ford RS brand.”" Implied was the assumption that the RS badge would return to a next-generation Focus.

In December 2007, the plans for a Focus RS Mk II were acknowledged by Ford [cite web
url=http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display.cfm?release=27402
title=FORD CONFIRMS NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE FOCUS RS IS ON THE WAY
date=2007-12-17
accessdate=2008-02-27
publisher=media.ford.com] , which stated that the Mk II would appear as a concept at the British International Motor Show in London for 2008, with production in 2009. Spy photos [cite news
url=http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/spyshots/204129/focus_rs.html
title=Focus RS]
date=2006-11-28
accessdate=2008-02-27
publisher=autoexpress.co.uk] and rumors of purported RS Mk II test mules had already been in circulation for some time. On the July 4, 2008 Ford announced the details of the Ford Focus RS that was to be shown at the British International Motor Show. Contrary to speculation [cite news
url=http://www.topgear.com/content/news/stories/2496/
title=It's official: Focus RS on the way
date=2007-12-17
accessdate=2008-02-27
publisher=topgear.com] , the new Focus RS does not have twin turbochargers or all-wheel drive. The Volvo T5 engine was upgraded to produce 300 PS and 410Nm of torque. 0 to 100km/h acceleration was quoted to be under 6 seconds. The car remains front wheel drive and uses a specially designed MacPherson strut suspension at the front called RevoKnuckle together with a Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing LSD to minimize torque steer and steering disturbances. [cite news|url=http://paultan.org/archives/2008/07/04/new-ford-focus-rs-unveiled-with-300-ps-inline-5/|title=New Ford Focus RS unveiled with 300 PS inline-5|date=2008-7-4|accessdate=2008-07-04|publisher=Paul Tan]

References