New Focus RS 350bhp 4wd :D

[Mustang]

w00tage

Ford is rumoured to be considering a 350bhp, four-wheel-drive, six-cylinder turbocharged proposal for the next-generation Focus RS. Right now the Blue Oval’s executives at the company’s headquarters in Cologne, Germany are considering a plan to fit Ford’s new flagship hot hatch, due out in 2007, with a new turbocharged in-line six-cylinder engine.

The advanced powerplant (right) has been developed by Volvo as a replacement for the Swedish car maker’s current six-cylinder engine, and is planned to make its debut in the new S80 due out next June.

Conceived for both transverse and longitudinal applications, the four-valve-per-cylinder unit is based around a die-cast aluminium cylinder block for an all-up weight of 180kg. It is also claimed to be 1mm shorter than Volvo’s five-cylinder engine – a feature that makes it suitable for a whole range of different models, including the new Focus RS.

Three different versions of the engine are planned: a base naturally aspirated 3.2-litre and a pair of performance-oriented turbocharged 3.0-litre units. The former receives variable cam timing (VCT) on the inlet valves, with the latter two adopting a system operating both the inlet and exhaust valves as well as a variable-vane Garrett turbocharger.

In 3.2-litre guise, the new six-cylinder produces 235bhp at 6000rpm along with 236lb ft of torque at 3500rpm – an increase of 38bhp and 26lb ft over Volvo’s current 2.9-litre engine. The turbocharged units deliver 285bhp and 295lb ft in light-pressure guise, with the high-pressure unit pumping out a BMW M3-beating 350bhp and 332lb ft.

It’s this latter specification that Ford’s Motorsport boss, Jost Capito, may use to thrust the Blue Oval back to the very top of the European hot-hatch ranks. If Ford’s plans come to fruition, the new RS will boast a whopping 133bhp and 96lb ft more than the upcoming Focus ST, whose turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine generates 217bhp along with 236lb ft of torque.

Unlike the front-wheel-drive ST, the new RS is being developed around new four-wheel-drive underpinnings. This promises to endow it with spectacular levels of grip and traction. One problem, however, is the lack of a suitable six-speed manual transmission for the new car. The gearbox in the Mondeo ST TDCi is rated to 295lb ft, although insiders say measures are being taken to upgrade it for use in performance-oriented Volvos.

[Matra et Alpine]

180 Kg ? pretty impressive.
If by "all up" they REALLY mean with ancillaries and fluids THAT is fantastic

Such a shame that the new Focus is such an ugly beast !!!

[Cotterik]

now thats good news if i ever saw it.

[Piacki_117]

350hp? They are optimists.

[Matra et Alpine]

Originally Posted by Piacki_117

350hp? They are optimists.

WHy ?

This is the company that brought you the Sierra RS500 and the Escort Cosworth

[Piacki_117]

Originally Posted by Matra et Alpine

WHy ?

This is the company that brought you the Sierra RS500 and the Escort Cosworth

yeah... if it could incite Renault to make a "super-megane"...

[Matra et Alpine]

Originally Posted by Piacki_117

yeah... if it could incite Renault to make a "super-megane"...

Well the response to the Cossies from Renault was the Laguna
So I wouldn't hold your breath too long !!!!!

[bmwpower]

Weel i'm sry to be from N. America and not to understand all ur European cars but i'll say this, looks hot and goes like a Bi***, show me the dotted lign man.

[baddabang]

Too bad its not coming to the US. The Focus really does suck here.

[Jack_Bauer]

Didn't Ford promise something pretty similar to this with the last generation RS? All the talk of monster power and AWD turned out to be hokum, ending up with FWD. Let's hope this time it's not just headline grabbing marketing "spin" again and they actually put their money where their mouth is.

[spi-ti-tout]

Haven't they been saying this for the past 10000000111 years....?

[2ndclasscitizen]

if it looks like that, i'm in, that looks fantastic. With 350hp and AWD, i dunno what short of a supercar would be able to run with it.

[clutch-monkey]

sounds awesome.

Originally Posted by Mustang

. It is also claimed to be 1mm shorter than Volvo’s five-cylinder engine – a feature that makes it suitable for a whole range of different models, including the new Focus RS.

can someone explain to me why 1mm can make a difference?

[2ndclasscitizen]

i thinks its more the fact that its got 1 more cylinder and .1 or .3 of a litre more than the 5 banger and is 1mm shorter

[clutch-monkey]

cheers, i missed that