FORD FOCUS RS: RALLY PEDIGREE FOR THE ROAD

"Ford Focus RS is inspired by our Focus WRC car - an exclusive, ultra high-performance car which revitalises the RS marque and incorporates all the RS brand stands for in driving pleasure, precision handling and heady performance."
Martin Leach, President and Chief Operating Officer Ford of Europe

· WRC inspired, high-performance Focus
· Duratec RS 2.0-litre engine, advanced turbo-charging system with 65 per cent more power than standard 2.0-litre: 215PS @ 5,500rpm/ 310Nm @ 3,500rpm
· Quaife torque-biasing differential for optimal front-wheel-drive tractability
· RS performance: 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds, 0-100 mph in 15.5 seconds, 100-0mph in just 4.1 seconds, top speed of 144 mph
· Aggressive style inspired by the Focus WRC, including chassis layout and competition-themed interior
· Shared suppliers, including Sparco, Garrett Technologies, O.Z. Racing, Brembo, Sachs Racing and AP Racing
· Production limited to 30 units per day in Ford's Saarlouis Plant, Germany, with volume production starting mid-September 2002
· On sale in UK October 2002, with prices announced September 2002

Inspired by the Ford Focus WRC contender and boasting impressive performance credentials of its own, the Ford Focus RS is ready to take its place in RS history, reintroducing the legendary brand to the UK.

Developed purely as a driver's car, Ford Focus RS delivers an exhilarating combination of exciting power and acceleration, confident and precise handling, assured braking efficiency, aggressive exterior styling and a purposeful, driver-oriented interior.

Ford Focus RS is the closest you can get to a road-going version of Colin McRae's World Rally Championship contender, deliberately using many of Ford's WRC respected motorsport technology partners including: Sparco (seats), Garrett Technologies (turbocharger), O.Z. Racing (wheels), Brembo (brakes), Sachs Racing (dampers), Quaife (differential) and AP Racing (clutch).

RS performance, everyday dependability
Powering Ford Focus RS is a turbocharged, 2.0-litre, Duratec RS engine derived from the mainstream 130 PS Duratec 16v Focus engine. Engineered to be as durable as it is potent, Duratec RS delivers peak power of 215 PS at 5,500 rpm, 65 per cent more than the standard 2.0-litre. Torque output has increased even more, by 75 per cent, to a peak of 310 Nm at 3,500 rpm.

The resulting performance is impressive: acceleration from 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds; 60-100 mph in only 9.8 seconds; top speed of 144 mph.

Ford Focus RS' stopping power is equally remarkable: braking forces exceeding 1.0g and 100-zero mph in only 93 metres.

On the move, Ford Focus RS exceeds the dynamic road holding of many renowned purpose-built sports cars, achieving a steady-state lateral acceleration of 0.94g in skidpan testing.

Despite these performance credentials, Ford Focus RS returns a realistic everyday fuel economy: 19.9 mpg urban, 36.7 mpg extra urban and 28 mpg combined, over the new European driving cycle. CO2 output is 237 g/km.

Despite the performance intent and aggressive stance - with a wheelbase and wide front/rear track identical to the Focus WRC's tarmac competition settings - Ford Ford Focus RS also offers superb driving comfort, dependability and practicality for everyday driving.

It is the dual personality of this contemporary Ford RS - functionality, comfort and dependability alongside high-performance capabilities.

Engineering excellence
To create the new Ford Focus RS, Ford assembled a handpicked team of around 60 specialist engineers. Many of them had already played key roles in the development of the Ford Focus, which debuted in 1998, was voted European Car of the Year 1999 and is still acclaimed by many as the benchmark for driving quality.

The RS development team has been given the time it needed to prove out the robustness and dependability of the RS package - such was the determination of Martin Leach (then Ford's Vice President of European Product Development) to get all aspects of the car right.

To ensure this durability, Leach insisted the Ford Focus RS undergo a rigorous testing programme, usually conducted only in the development of new mainstream production cars.

"We truly understand the feeling of urgency among performance enthusiasts to get their hands on the Ford Focus RS," said Mike Kilpin, chief programme engineer. "The return of the RS brand created tremendous excitement and expectation, but we still believe the right thing to do was not to rush this car to market. It's ready now, and we're proud of the end result - Ford Focus RS can speak for itself."

Even with its specialised engineering, the new Ford Focus RS was designed for assembly alongside standard Ford Focus models at the Saarlouis Assembly Plant, Germany, where Ford has pioneered its flexible manufacturing process.

The 2.0-litre Duratec RS engine is manufactured at the UK's Bridgend (Wales) Engine Plant. Specialist engineering facilities are integrated with normal production processes at both plant locations. Ford Focus RS production capacity is limited to 30 units a day.

Originally unveiled as a concept car in October 2000, the new Ford Focus RS heralded a new approach to Ford performance cars in Europe. The company has committed to an aggressive performance car development as part of its product-led European transformation strategy. Under this strategy, the RS brand is developed for performance purists, while the more accessible ST - Sport Technologies - brand appeals to a broader range of enthusiasts.

Ford's Special Vehicle Engineering (SVE) department is entrusted with taking this performance strategy forward. It is led by the highly experienced Jost Capito, who joined Ford in October 2001 and was previously Chief Operating Officer at Swiss-based Formula 1 team, Sauber Petronas.