Focus New Ford Focus RS confirmed for production

[Zafiro]

According to latest indications, the third-generation Focus RS is again likely to be front-wheel drive. It will draw its power from a turbocharged 2.3-litre, four-cylinder EcoBoost engine seen in the recently launchedMustang.

A power output of about 330bhp has been mooted for the RS, while a limited-slip differential and Ford’s innovative, torque-steer-reducing RevoKnuckle front suspension system will again feature in its mechanical specification.

Recent spy shots have shown the car obn test both at the Nürburgring and near Ford’s world HQ in Dearborn, outside Detroit. They reveal some of the potential RS-specific changes – including a restyled front bumper and twin exhausts that echo that of the previous RS. Bystanders have described the aggressive-looking RS prototype as "very loud". Disguised engineering mules have also been spotted on public roads.

More info: http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-ford-focus-rs-confirmed-production

 

[Zafiro]

If this turns out to turn me on I might buy one of these one days. But just maybe.

 

[Zafiro]

 

[ABCD]

Focus RS - Reveal 3 February 2015!

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[Zafiro]

Oh im so excited! hope the price is right!

 

[klier]

If this turns out to turn me on I might buy one of these one days.

That's a wonderful sentence. Trademark it!

 

[Rolf]

This car is going to be a beast, am very very keen to see how it will perform and drive.

 

[ABCD]

Livestream: http://gofurtherlive.com/

 

[Star&Car]

 

[martinbo]

Brutal - but for me it can't hold a candle to the previous generation 5 pot RS. It will be faster, it will handle better and it will be more economical but it will also lack character in comparison to its special predecessor.

 

[Zafiro]

Dare to hope for 320 hp and with a price like Leon Cupra ?

 

[Porsche Guy]

Brutal - but for me it can't hold a candle to the previous generation 5 pot RS. It will be faster, it will handle better and it will be more economical but it will also lack character in comparison to its special predecessor.

Lacking character? You can tell from a handful of press photos?

 

[Zafiro]

Lacking character? You can tell from a handful of press photos?

Yes Martin, your getting old and with tons of prejudices

 

[DJRaze99]

HorsePowerKings is reporting a 330 bhp output which seems more legit. AWD is also on the menu while the 0-60 mph sprint should take 4.5s. US pricing to kick off at $37,850.

The first official images with the Ford Focus RS have hit the web ahead of today's proper reveal.

Wearing a Liquid Blue paint scheme just like the Ford GT, the highly anticipated Focus RS is almost here with a more aggressive body, bigger air vents and a rear wing. It also gets a fresh set of double-spoke alloy wheels along with a rear diffuser and two large exhaust pipes while the sport-tuned suspension has lowered the hot hatch considerably.

More importantly, the model is believed to get a torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system while under the hood it's the Mustang’s four-cylinder 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine which according to EVO is estimated to deliver a rather hard to believe 250 bhp (186 kW) which would make it considerably less powerful than the pony car rated at 310 bhp (231 kW). Nevertheless, the Focus RS should still be capable of doing a sub five-second 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) run.

The aforementioned AWD system can deliver up to 70 percent of the engine's power to the rear wheels and from there on up to 100 percent can be split to each side.

As far as the interior is concerned, the Ford Focus RS gets the usual extra dails in the center of the dashboard along with Recaro seats as standard but at an additional cost it can be configured with optional bucket seats.

A full reveal is scheduled for later today so stay tuned.

worldcarfans.com

 

[martinbo]

Lacking character? You can tell from a handful of press photos?

Erm... My experience with the 5 pot ST and RS tells me that no turbo'd inline 4 has the same engine character as the lovely warbly, woofly 5 cylinder engines. Sheesh, tough crowd.

 

[DjordjeC63]

 

[martinbo]

The third-generation Ford Focus RS will be powered by a turbocharged 2.3-litre engine producing “more than 316bhp” - and it will channel its power through a variable all-wheel drive system as part of a raft of technical innovations designed to make it the highest-performing RS model yet built.

Initial performance and technical facts about the new Focus RS - pictured here in exclusive Autocar photos - have been officially released ahead of full details, including pricing and on-sale dates, being confirmed at next month’s Geneva motor show.

The so-called All-Wheel-Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring system is by far the most significant mechanical upgrade for the RS over other Focuses, including the ST.

It is also a surprise because the early indications where that Ford had decided to stick with a two-wheel drive system for the car after trying both set-ups during development work led by Europe’s Ford Performance division. Ford claims the system provides “class-leading corner speed, limit handling and a unique drift capability”.

The all-wheel drive system is based around twin electronically controlled clutch packs. These are located on each side of the Rear Drive Unit (or RDU, which works like a limited-slip differential).

The RDU uses sensors that monitor conditions 100 times per second to distribute power continuously between the 
front and back wheels and on either side of the rear axle. Up to 100 per cent of the available torque can be sent to either wheel.

The system diverts torque to the outer rear wheel during cornering, aiding turn-in and stability. Ford says this “virtually eliminates understeer” and lateral grip in excess of 1g is possible. Ford also says the system helps to “provide neutral and adjustable limit handling and the ability to achieve controlled oversteer drifts at the track”.

The 2.3-litre four-cylinder Ecoboost engine is an uprated version of the unit available in the new Ford Mustang. Changes from the Mustang engine include a low-inertia twin-scroll turbocharger with a larger compressor to aid airflow, plus a notably larger intercooler and air intake.

The Focus RS’s engine is linked to a six-speed manual gearbox that has had its shift action shortened for faster, more accurate changes. The transmission and clutch have also been uprated to cope with levels of torque that are confirmed only as “increased” over the Mustang’s 320lb ft.

The engine is also linked to a larger-bore exhaust system. As well as boosting performance, the system is said by Ford to be tuned to “deliver a rewarding and sporty sound character during spirited driving, with the distinctive burbles, pops and crackles that are an RS signature”.

Autocar’s spy photographers, who have witnessed prototypes in action in recent months, have described the new Focus RS as sounding “very loud”.

In addition, and in the quest for high-temperature durability, the cylinder head is made of an upgraded alloy and mounted on a strengthened head gasket. For the same reason, the cylinder block also has stronger high-tensile cast iron liners. A significantly larger radiator than in the Focus ST aids cooling.

The engine’s power figure of more than 316bhp is the only performance figure released to date and remains subject to ratification. However, it establishes the Focus RS Mk3 as the most powerful ‘standard’ Focus RS to date. The Mk1 Focus RS had 212bhp and the Mk2 had 301bhp. However, the special-edition Focus RS500 had 345bhp.

The new Focus RS will be sold as a five-door model only, in line with Ford’s global strategy for the entire Focus range. Inevitably, though, the Focus RS is significantly upgraded, even from the Focus ST.

Most significantly, the chassis has been retuned, with the use of stiffer spring rates, bushes and anti-roll bars, and two-mode dampers that can be switched between road and track settings.

The electric power-assisted steering has also been retuned to work with a more rigid front suspension knuckle and shorter link arms to deliver what Ford describes as “connected and responsive steering with outstanding feel”.

To emphasise the track capabilities of the new Focus RS, it will be available with a specially developed semi-slick tyre for the first time. All buyers will have a choice of standard or lightweight forged 19in multi-spoke alloy wheels, which can be shod with either Michelin Pilot Super Sport 235/35 RD tyres or Pilot Sport Cup 2 semi-slicks.

The exaggerated exterior look has been created by Ford’s stylists and the practical need for improved aerodynamic downforce and increased brake and powertrain cooling.

The interior also gets several upgrades, including Recaro sports seats, a flat-bottomed, leather-clad steering wheel, alloy pedals and a simpler dashboard layout than on standard cars. This includes a standard 8.0in colour touchscreen and Ford’s Sync2 connectivity system.

The new Focus RS - the 30th Ford to be badged ‘RS’ since the Ford 15M RS launched the high-performance series in 1968 - will go on sale in mid-2016 and is expected to cost about £30,000.

Buyers will get just four choices of colours, called Nitrous Blue, Stealth Grey, Absolute Black or Frozen White. The launch car pictured here is painted in what Ford calls Liquid Blue, which is “currently only a show colour”, suggesting that it may become available as a cost option.

For the first time, the Focus RS will be sold in all global markets, including North America and China. However, most Focus RS sales are still expected to come from the traditional European markets, led by the UK.

The four-wheel drive system and other technical upgrades also raise the possibility of a final, extreme performance version of the car being sold some time around 2017, in the vein of the previous-generation Focus RS500. That car was developed in conjunction with Mountune and sold as a limited edition of 500 cars, 101 of which were sold in the UK.

Source: http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/n...d-engine-details-video-and-exclusive-pictures

It's AWD - that came as a surprise! And now that it's AWD is RevoKnuckle gone?

 

[Zafiro]

High quality photos

 

[Zafiro]

Nice too see Fiesta ST hood on a Focus RS

 

[Zafiro]

Great, their webpage just went down before live broadcast. Well done ford!