Ford Focus RS

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.[1]

Development
The development of the Focus RS was undertaken by Ford TeamRS and Tickford Engineering in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. Originally it was to be released as the Racing Focus[citation needed], however after the poor selling Racing Puma[citation needed], Ford decided to revive the RS badge.

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 straight-4 engine produced a minimum of 1,000 PS (735 kW; 986 hp) and 700 N·m (516 lb·ft) of torque, which was then mated to the 5-speed MTX-75 and not the Getrag transmission used in the ST 170. Mechanically, most notably, the car incorporated a Quaife automatic torque biasing differential to improve traction from the front-wheel drive setup. The steering used a similar quick-ratio rack as the ST170 while the brakes used fixed-caliper, four-piston Brembo units with 324 mm discs at the front and single-piston floating calipers and 280 mm discs at the back. Wheels were 18" alloys specially developed by OZ Racing. The engine was heavily modified with forged aluminium pistons,hardened valve seats, sodium-filled exhaust valves,stainless steel exhaust system. The forced induction system comprised a Garrett turbocharger with a water-cooled charge air cooler and an electric water pump. To transmit the higher torque an uprated AP clutch was used.

Styling
The Focus RS was available in one metallic colour, Imperial Blue. The body looked similar to the standard Focus or to the ST170, although the RS featured unique front and rear bumper assemblies required for the wider wheel arches which accommodated the 65 mm 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 hatchbacks such as the Honda Civic Type-R and four-wheel drive cars in the same price field.[citation needed] 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." Clarkson and other motor journalists also doled out some criticism of the differential for causing torque steer and unruly behaviour on bumpy roads.[citation needed]

[edit] Figures
0-60 mph (97 km/h): 6.0 s[2]
0-100 km/h (62 mph): 6.5 s[2]
0-100 mph (161 km/h): 16.4 s[2]
100 mph (161 km/h)-0: 4.1 s (1.0 g in braking)
Top speed: 238 km/h (148 mph)[2]
Power-to-weight ratio: 168.88 bhp/ton[2]
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.9[2]
Standing ¼ mile: 14.8 s @ 98 mph (158 km/h)[2]
Standing km: 26.2 s @ 201.0 km/h[2]


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."

In 2008, Ford revealed the new Focus RS in "concept" form at the British International Motor Show. Contrary to speculation[3], the new Focus RS does not have twin turbochargers or all-wheel drive. The Volvo-engineered 5 cylinder[1] engine was upgraded to produce 305 PS (224 kW; 301 hp)[4] and 440 N·m (325 lb·ft) of torque. 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration was quoted to be under 6 seconds. The car remains front wheel drive, but to reduce torque steer uses a Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing LSD, and a specially designed MacPherson strut suspension at the front called RevoKnuckle[2], which provides a lower scrub radius and kingpin offset than traditional designs while avoiding the increased weight and complexity of double wishbone and multi-link suspension setups.[5] Ford UK claim: "It’s as close as you’ll come to driving a full-spec rally car (Ford Focus RS WRC).[6]

Figures
0-100 kilometres per hour (62 mph): 5.9 s[7]
31-62 miles per hour (100 km/h): 5.3 s (in 4th gear)[7]
Top speed: 263 kilometres per hour (163 mph)[7]
Kilometer from a standstill: 25.4s (the fastest front wheel drive car in this particular exercise - this time was recorded by the Belgian magazine "Le Moniteur Automobile")
Styling
At the rear a large venturi tunnel[8] and a dramatic rear spoiler create a purposeful look. Focus RS available in three expressive exterior colours: Ultimate Green, Performance Blue and Frozen White. Focus RS has an exclusive ‘Ultimate’ Green classic 1970s Ford Le Mans Green of the Ford Escort RS1600 era