Production *AWD* Ford Focus RS Spied on the Ring

CSV_LS1 · 07-04-2008, 08:43 PM

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At this summer's British Motor Show we will see the unveiling of a concept version of the Ford Focus RS, now we have the best shot yet of the production version whilst undergoing vigorous testing on the ring.

Taken by spies from Nurburgring enthusiast site bridgetogantry.com (BTG), they claim the production version will in fact be available with 4WD after witnessing the prototype over steer while powering round the circuit, previous reports stated that only FWD will be offered. If that isn't enough, BTG say the RS version of the Focus will pump out a monstrous 350bhp which far exceeds the 280-300bhp we had expected.

We are still around 3 months away from the unveiling of the concept version, so we will have to wait and see if initial specifications reach these scaly heights (oh boy we hope so!!!), but keep an eye out as the pre motor show leaks begin to unravel.

Worldcarfans.com

MITCHAY · 07-04-2008, 09:02 PM

Awesome. If it has 350hp it will be more powerful than both the STi and EVO and also looks better. I swear that it looked way different in another photo though!

RG · 07-04-2008, 09:06 PM

If that had all of that and came here I would buy it straight away.

Zed7fiddy · 07-04-2008, 09:14 PM

Great news, ford Aus would be stupid not to import it, id definately consider a AWD version!

Rodp · 07-04-2008, 09:17 PM

Damn, I bought my R32 3 months too early. If they import I could be looking at my next next car. :P

MITCHAY · 07-04-2008, 09:18 PM

It should be AWD standard and just forget about the FWD option.

Nikked · 07-04-2008, 09:40 PM

Could this be a future FPV product? Be nice if it was...

Fev · 07-04-2008, 10:10 PM

it wont look like that car, it will look more like a mondeo.. That is just a test platform for the underpinnings - i guess its supposed to be stealth since it looks like an older model except for the guards and front bar

actually now that i take a closer look it, i think that is what we saw in the pics released a month or 2 ago.

AusM · 07-04-2008, 11:31 PM

Sounds like it might be a high-spec concept... but the production version will be nothing like it? If it sounds too good to be true...

Hunter · 07-04-2008, 11:56 PM

Nice! I was thinking of getting rid of the Falcon for something smaller... and good thing I haven't bought anything yet! If one of these were available and for a good price, it'd definitely be on the cards.

Rodp · 08-04-2008, 05:22 AM

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Originally Posted by Hunter

Nice! I was thinking of getting rid of the Falcon for something smaller... and good thing I haven't bought anything yet! If one of these were available and for a good price, it'd definitely be on the cards.

What would you consider a good price? If it's AWD, you'll be lucky to get change out of $60k, I'd say.

Wretched · 08-04-2008, 08:43 AM

i have doubts it will be AWD and 350hp.
It would be nice though

The ST (XR5T) is a killer package now.

CSV_LS1 · 08-04-2008, 12:34 PM

It would have to be no more than high 50's to be competitive i think.

AUIIForte · 08-04-2008, 12:44 PM

Oh My God (OMG), if it is actualy like they said, ALL WHEEL DRIVE... I believe this will probably be the best selling automobile in YEARS! I would sell my Forte (obviously) for it!

Rodp · 08-04-2008, 01:04 PM

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Originally Posted by CSV_LS1

It would have to be no more than high 50's to be competitive i think.

The obvious comparison would be an R32 which ranges from ~55k-60k depending on what gearbox and amount of doors you want. If they can keep the price in that ballpark, make it AWD and sneak a few more ponies under the bonnet than the R32, I'm sure it would edge out the R32 in sales and it would be a true hero car. Stick an FPV badge on it and you're done.

rennie · 08-04-2008, 04:22 PM

That is HOT! They better import it.

I can't wait to test drive.

MAGPIE · 08-04-2008, 04:30 PM

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Originally Posted by Rodp

Stick an FPV badge on it and you're done.

If it's got an RS badge it won't need an FPV one, it would just lessen the appeal for true RS enthusiasts.

Nikked · 08-04-2008, 04:34 PM

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Originally Posted by MAGPIE

If it's got an RS badge it won't need an FPV one, it would just lessen the appeal for true RS enthusiasts.

Ford has the XR5, FPV has Focus RS. Thats how i think it would work, thats if it does come here...

MAGPIE · 08-04-2008, 05:10 PM

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Originally Posted by Nikked

Ford has the XR5, FPV has Focus RS. Thats how i think it would work, thats if it does come here...

Why does FPV have to have anything to do with it, RS has it's own special heritage that shouldn't be sullied by FPV.

Rodp · 08-04-2008, 06:17 PM

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Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Why does FPV have to have anything to do with it, RS has it's own special heritage that shouldn't be sullied by FPV.

Because the majority of people who would be in the market for such a car wouldn't know what an RS is or means...?

3vXT · 08-04-2008, 07:13 PM

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Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Why does FPV have to have anything to do with it, RS has it's own special heritage that shouldn't be sullied by FPV.

+1

'RS' has been around a lot longer and has more meaning with me anyway. Depends on the car itself though, if its soft and heavy, an RS badge wont make it better.

MAGPIE · 08-04-2008, 08:26 PM

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Originally Posted by Rodp

Because the majority of people who would be in the market for such a car wouldn't know what an RS is or means...?

I beg to differ

MITCHAY · 08-04-2008, 08:34 PM

RS or FPV doesn't really matter to me if it's an awesome car. Hell they could put a Hyundai badge on it for all I care

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Rodp · 08-04-2008, 09:11 PM

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Originally Posted by MAGPIE

I beg to differ

I don't know the origins or history of RS and I'm sure if I asked around a group of friends who would be able to afford such a car, they wouldn't be able to tell me either.

I guarantee they'd all know what FPV was though.

T3ts50 · 08-04-2008, 09:16 PM

FPV have said in the past they wont but FPV badges on a car such as a focus if they havent put a significant amount of engineering involvment in it. So I doubt it will come with FPV badges.

kooky · 08-04-2008, 10:05 PM

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Originally Posted by MITCHAY

Awesome. If it has 350hp it will be more powerful than both the STi and EVO and also looks better. I swear that it looked way different in another photo though!

And I'd sell my STi and whatever else to get into one.

:

A bit more info on the Focus RS. Insiders at NBR are now reporting AWD and 260Kw.

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That's right, BTG can reveal that the 2009 Ford Focus 4WD is still undergoing testing, despite numerous articles claiming that car will indeed be just FWD. Having seen the car power oversteer out of Wehrseifen, I was convinced that the car was 4WD. A chance encounter in Touristenfahrt tonight gave me the opportunity to lie down and squint underneath... where I saw a rear diff!

A quick chat with an un-named official confirmed that the car is still undergoing rigorous testing to be made ready for production. Whether this is to be badged as an RS, or as something even fruitier and less readily available remains to be seen. But this 350bhp six-cylinder, 4WD Focus is definitely real and definitely fast!

http://bridgetogantry.com/index.php?...r+your+vote%21

kooky · 08-04-2008, 10:08 PM

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Originally Posted by MAGPIE

Why does FPV have to have anything to do with it, RS has it's own special heritage that shouldn't be sullied by FPV.

Agreed

RSgerry · 08-04-2008, 10:24 PM

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Originally Posted by Rodp

I don't know the origins or history of RS and I'm sure if I asked around a group of friends who would be able to afford such a car, they wouldn't be able to tell me either.

I guarantee they'd all know what FPV was though.

I know what RS means...

The RS heritage has been around for a long time. Sadly the English put some RS badges (RS 2000 to make it worse) on cars that were nothing more than body kits and stripey seats.

As for the Focus RS, apparantly the old model used to demolish anything in its path, including AWD cars, so another FWD wouldnt bother me too much if it was as well sorted as the last. However, AWD and 350 hp, if true is a package too good to refuse. And as MITCHAY said, I wouldnt care what badge was on it, it looks like a weapon.

Thanks for the update Kooky.

Rodp · 09-04-2008, 08:05 AM

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Originally Posted by RSgerry

I know what RS means...

The RS heritage has been around for a long time. Sadly the English put some RS badges (RS 2000 to make it worse) on cars that were nothing more than body kits and stripey seats.

Well, it's not surprising someone who's nick starts with RS would know the history of RS. But from a marketing perspective, stick RS Focus in the mix and it would get lost in CL, LX, TDCi since RS hasn't been around here for a good 30 years?

MITCHAY · 09-04-2008, 08:09 AM

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Originally Posted by kooky

And I'd sell my STi and whatever else to get into one.

:

A bit more info on the Focus RS. Insiders at NBR are now reporting AWD and 260Kw.

http://bridgetogantry.com/index.php?...r+your+vote%21

Not exactly like there's a reason to trade up to the new STi if this were available. Actually is there a reason if it weren't either?

Yeah that's the picture I'm talking about and it's tough as. 260kw and AWD would be a weapon!

Hell I have 169kw and I love it!

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