RWD FOCUS.... 2.3L WITH 208KW!!! Damn! Rally Car

Teki04 · 18-10-2005, 06:48 PM

WOW, im surprised no one has seen this. I have been at work all day, so i couldnt sign on, but i saw it this morning.

FAR OUT! Sounds MEAN!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carpoint.com.au

Ford Australia team has eschewed AWD and is set to debut a naturally-aspirated rear-wheel-drive competitor in the local national rally championship.

The all-new Focus Ford TeamRS Australia squad will debut at the Bathurst round of the Globalstar Australia Rally Championship (GARC) later this month will be rear wheel drive. And it will be naturally aspirated!

Built to Australian Group N (P) regulations, the Focus eschews the all-wheel-drive turbo-four running gear that top runners currently use. Instead the Focus is rear-wheel-drive with a 2.3-litre normally aspirated (non-turbo charged) DOHC inline 16-valve four-cylinder Duratec engine. Drive from the 208kW/275Nm engine will be delivered via a six-speed sequential transmission.

Ford TeamRS Australia says it has elected to take advantage of a larger capacity engine and weight savings permitted with a rear-wheel drive car. The Focus has been designed and built for current, as well as future regulations, to allow plenty of scope in case of changes to the sport, highlighting Ford's commitment to the GARC is long term, the team says.

"This is an exciting time for Ford and the sport of rallying in Australia," said Ford Racing Manager, Ross Booth. "Ford's rally program has been in the pipeline for a number of years, with the late Howard Marsden being the original architect of the project.

"Our team has been working constantly since the start of the year on the Group N (P) Focus, we are now in a position to show the car and declare its specification.

"The car looks and sounds spectacular. We will be a popular addition to the rally landscape.

"We don't want to make bold predictions at this stage, as we are still very much in our development phase with the car. The best of this car will be seen as we proceed through the 2006 season.

"The TeamRS program has generated a lot of interest in Australia and indeed around the world. In 2006 we will have some very good partners on board to make sure we are well supported financially and technically," Booth said.

Ford Racing Engineering Manager, Steve Hoinville, is upbeat regards the new car.

"We are confident that it's the right direction for Ford at present, and that we will be a challenger in the Globalstar Australian Rally Championship," said Hoinville.

"Running a four-wheel-drive system would have been a tough option for us, as we don't have any such system in our current Focus vehicle line-up.

"The use of a six-speed sequential gearbox is unique in the GARC field. It will be of some advantage in terms of delivering power to the road with added reliability.

Driver Michael Guest (pictured) says he is looking forward to getting the best out of the car.

"As much as I'm looking forward to the Bathurst event, it's the off-season testing where we will be able to turn the car into a truly competitive animal," said Guest.

"The new Focus is a very strong car technically. The handling is outstanding and with added power of the larger capacity engine it will be something to watch.

"The chance to see a rear-wheel drive car will make it popular for the spectators and the sound from the normally aspirated engine will make it stand out from the opposition.

Ford will unveil the new TeamRS Australia Focus rally car to the public on Sunday, October 23 at the International Motor Show in Sydney.

17/10/05

**Polyal** · 19-10-2005, 01:05 PM

certainly will be interesting..I cant wait

I want merchandise btw!

**Polyal** · 25-10-2005, 12:30 PM

BUMP!

Whats going on with this..wasn't it at the motorshow on the 23rd?

simonr · 25-10-2005, 07:10 PM

http://www.rally.com.au/home/features/articleid=1789

Yep it was and i MISSED IT!!

parawolf · 25-10-2005, 07:16 PM

hmmmm doesn't it seem a little 'lacking' in torque though that a turbo engine would give?

0xyg3n · 25-10-2005, 10:28 PM

its not turbo its only N/A

**Polyal** · 26-10-2005, 09:08 AM

is that the only pic floating around?

The MaDDeSTMaN · 26-10-2005, 11:37 AM

Sounds like it would be very cool, how did it actually perform? Anyone know? I'd love to see it in action....

parawolf · 26-10-2005, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0xyg3n

its not turbo its only N/A

Yes I realise that, perhaps my statement wasn't clear enough.

Wouldn't this NA car be lacking the torque that the turbo competition has?

Surely it would be.

outback_ute · 26-10-2005, 05:23 PM

I have to say I can’t understand the move to go rwd – at most rounds they won’t be competitive, and the Focus is fwd.

outback_ute · 26-10-2005, 06:19 PM

News flash - the car won't be in the rally!

Ford Withdraws From WPS Rally Bathurst

The MaDDeSTMaN · 26-10-2005, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outback_ute

News flash - the car won't be in the rally!

Ford Withdraws From WPS Rally Bathurst

Damn! how long has it been since a RWD Ford competed in a rally event at that level of competition here in Australia? :(

**Polyal** · 26-10-2005, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outback_ute

I have to say I can’t understand the move to go rwd – at most rounds they won’t be competitive, and the Focus is fwd.

I think you will be suprised, power to weight!

out:

Perana · 26-10-2005, 09:10 PM

Need a hell of a lot less weight though....

parawolf · 26-10-2005, 09:12 PM

Regardless of lower weight, I still reckon it will be suffering from a distinct lack of torque.

GROOV3 · 26-10-2005, 09:14 PM

bah look up v8 focus on the net, rwd kits can be baught in usa

**Polyal** · 27-10-2005, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parawolf

Regardless of lower weight, I still reckon it will be suffering from a distinct lack of torque.

well then chuck up some specs of the wrx's...im sure they woudl not let the focus be behind the 8 ball form the start.

**Polyal** · 27-10-2005, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GROOV3

bah look up v8 focus on the net, rwd kits can be baught in usa

understeer city anyone?

:

zetec · 27-10-2005, 10:03 AM

It's also the only car in the field with a 6-speed as far as I know so it can stay in the power/torque band better. I can't wait ot hear it, imagine the sound of a 209kw 2.3 N/A engine!!!!!!!!!!!!! No cats, perhaps straight cut gears.. mmmmmm

zetec · 03-11-2005, 11:53 PM

Confirming that - straight cut gears mmmm. I have pics from the rally on the way, will be a few more days, hoping to put them up Sunday. I have some dodgy videos too... stay tuned.

Teki04 · 04-11-2005, 12:39 AM

In regards to rally.... subaru just pulled out of the Australian Rally scene as of late this year. COME ON FORD! HERE IS YOUR CHANCE!

**Polyal** · 04-11-2005, 02:34 PM

yeah I know...huge news..if ford can do something with that then there is no hope!