Saturday, August 31, 2013
2007 Ford Focus RS review
Ford Focus RSWhen Ford launched its 220bhp Focus ST at the Geneva show, company officials were keeping schtum about an even hotter RS version in the pipeline. But now weve caught the flagship model undergoing cold-weather testing.
Whilst the ST, which arrives in late 2005, gets 220bhp from Volvos turbocharged five-cylinder 2.5-litre engine and is more powerful than the previous-generation Focus RS (200 bhp), the RS will be quicker still, with the T5 unit tuned for a good 250 bhp-plus and fitted in combination with the Volvo AWD system.
Ford plans hottest hatch of all
Ford is rumoured to be considering a 350bhp, four-wheel-drive, six-cylinder turbocharged proposal for the next-generation Focus RS. Right now the Blue Oval’s executives at the company’s headquarters in Cologne, Germany are considering a plan to fit Ford’s new flagship hot hatch, due out in 2007, with a new turbocharged in-line six-cylinder engine.
The advanced powerplant (right) has been developed by Volvo as a replacement for the Swedish car maker’s current six-cylinder engine, and is planned to make its debut in the new S80 due out next June.
Conceived for both transverse and longitudinal applications, the four-valve-per-cylinder unit is based around a die-cast aluminium cylinder block for an all-up weight of 180kg. It is also claimed to be 1mm shorter than Volvo’s five-cylinder engine – a feature that makes it suitable for a whole range of different models, including the new Focus RS.
Three different versions of the engine are planned: a base naturally aspirated 3.2-litre and a pair of performance-oriented turbocharged 3.0-litre units. The former receives variable cam timing (VCT) on the inlet valves, with the latter two adopting a system operating both the inlet and exhaust valves as well as a variable-vane Garrett turbocharger.
In 3.2-litre guise, the new six-cylinder produces 235bhp at 6000rpm along with 236lb ft of torque at 3500rpm – an increase of 38bhp and 26lb ft over Volvo’s current 2.9-litre engine. The turbocharged units deliver 285bhp and 295lb ft in light-pressure guise, with the high-pressure unit pumping out a BMW M3-beating 350bhp and 332lb ft.
It’s this latter specification that Ford’s Motorsport boss, Jost Capito, may use to thrust the Blue Oval back to the very top of the European hot-hatch ranks. If Ford’s plans come to fruition, the new RS will boast a whopping 133bhp and 96lb ft more than the upcoming Focus ST, whose turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine generates 217bhp along with 236lb ft of torque.
Unlike the front-wheel-drive ST, the new RS is being developed around new four-wheel-drive underpinnings. This promises to endow it with spectacular levels of grip and traction. One problem, however, is the lack of a suitable six-speed manual transmission for the new car. The gearbox in the Mondeo ST TDCi is rated to 295lb ft, although insiders say measures are being taken to upgrade it for use in performance-oriented Volvos.
Here we go again: AutoExpress claims the new Focus RS has been canned..AGAIN!
Motoring NewsFord Focus RS
According to our sources, the firm will not use the famous RS badge on the current or imminent facelifted MkII machine - due late in 2008 - because of concerns over CO2 emissions.
One potential RS customer, who had placed a deposit for the car at his local dealership, said: "Id handed over the cash 18 months ago, not wanting to miss out. But I was told staff had to return it, as the project has been abandoned on environmental grounds."
A Ford spokesperson revealed: "Our commitment to performance cars meant that we did build a number of Focus engineering mules to test and develop high-performance parts for future products. Sadly, we never got to the point where we were ready to begin developing a business case for an RS-badged Focus."
Auto Express last scooped these cars in Issue 933. Its believed that prototypes offered around 300bhp and four-wheel drive. But the spokesperson was keen to dismiss the claim that the decision was eco-based.
"Its worth bearing in mind that its not the green issue which is driving this decision - cars have to be profitable. While Britain is the home of RS, theres not enough interest across other markets for us to earn the kind of money thats going to give the vehicle a green light," said the spokesperson.
However, there is still hope for fast Ford fans. Potential RS versions of the MkIII Focus, due in 2010, are possible.
