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.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/Car/Ford/Focus/2655425491.jpg

[Matra et Alpine]

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

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]

350hp? They are optimists.
WHy ?

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

[Piacki_117]

WHy ?

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

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

[Matra et Alpine]

yeah... if it could incite Renault to make a "super-megane"...
Well the response to the Cossies from Renault was the Laguna :D
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. :rolleyes:

[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.

. 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?:o

[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

[fpv_gtho]

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. :rolleyes:

Weren't they planning a Cosworth version above the RS to feature most of that?

Any idea if this will be a limited build car?

[syko]

I brought back this thread because I haven't heard anything else on the development on this. Has anyone Heard anything about possible release information on this beast?

[fpv_gtho]

It'll probably have a turbo version of the new 3.2 I6 being produced by Volvo IIRC.

[Ferrer]

I brought back this thread because I haven't heard anything else on the development on this. Has anyone Heard anything about possible release information on this beast?
A while I go I saw some spy pics of a black Focus ST, supposed to be the test mule of the Focus RS, altough they also said it could be a test mule for an hipotetic Focus ST TDCi.

It'll probably have a turbo version of the new 3.2 I6 being produced by Volvo IIRC.
If it's going to have a turbocharged Volvo six it'll be the new 3-litre recently unveiled in the V70 T6.

[Egg Nog]

I really hope this makes it to production. Not like we're ever going to see it in North America, but for everyone else's sake, my fingers are crossed! ;)

[jediali]

i heard it was going to be a 2008 car and have a 280hp i5, no mention of 4wd. -Autocar

[fpv_gtho]

If it's going to have a turbocharged Volvo six it'll be the new 3-litre recently unveiled in the V70 T6.

I think thats the one i'm thinking of. Unfortunately, it'll still be FWD rather than AWD.

[Coventrysucks]

i heard it was going to be a 2008 car and have a 280hp i5, no mention of 4wd. -Autocar

:rolleyes: Yeah, sure thing Autocar.

I'm still waiting for the mk 1 "Cosworth" Focus Autocar promised.

They have a pool of stories that they repeat every year when they have no real stories to print.

New Lotus supercar, Exclusive new Jag saloon, etc... It really is a big bag of bs.

[jediali]

your right, its how they keep a weekly magazine busy. it always starts with a crap "in 2023 we will get a new mini hovercar" story, the rest is a better read however.

[Ferrer]

I think thats the one i'm thinking of. Unfortunately, it'll still be FWD rather than AWD.
Well the Focus platform is four wheel drive capable and with over 250bhp I think this would be the better option.

[Mr.Tiv]

Well the Focus platform is four wheel drive capable and with over 250bhp I think this would be the better option.

they might want to keep the price down.

[jediali]

they might want to keep the price down.
there hasnt really been a 4wd focus yet. i think it would require a lot of effort. the golf chassis at least had it from the start

[Ferrer]

there hasnt really been a 4wd focus yet. i think it would require a lot of effort. the golf chassis at least had it from the start
There is a four wheel drive Focus. It's called the Volvo S40/V50 T5 AWD (http://www.km77.com/eli/motor/fichacompleta.asp?id=9791).

[jediali]

There is a four wheel drive Focus. It's called the Volvo S40/V50 T5 AWD (http://www.km77.com/eli/motor/fichacompleta.asp?id=9791).

oh yeah, thanks! so the platform is available.

[fpv_gtho]

they might want to keep the price down.

Ive heard they only want it a few thousand more than the ST

[Kitdy]

It owuld be sweet to see this 350HP hot-hatch - especially in AWD. I really wish that the second gen euro Focus was being sold here in N. America. It would also be totally sweet to habe 350 HP in a relatively cheap car. What is the word on the price btw?

[syko]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo its cancelled. How annoying that Ford NA is bringing down projects like this because they can't sell enough cars. ARRRRRH frustrating overloading brain.

Focus mark2 RS cancelled (http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/25/one-less-to-pine-for-ford-europe-drops-mkii-focus-rs-plans/#comments)

[Ferrer]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo its cancelled. How annoying that Ford NA is bringing down projects like this because they can't sell enough cars. ARRRRRH frustrating overloading brain.

Focus mark2 RS cancelled (http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/25/one-less-to-pine-for-ford-europe-drops-mkii-focus-rs-plans/#comments)
More hot hatches is always good, but I think this would've been a bit too much over the top if it had 350bhp.

[Matra et Alpine]

More hot hatches is always good, but I think this would've been a bit too much over the top if it had 350bhp.
why ?
Remember it was going to be 4WD.

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=2122

Maybe they droped it coz they couldn't get 400 :)

[Duell]

they might be put off because Volvo also dropped their R model range.
And the standard 3.0 liter straight 6 with turbo (volvo s80) only produces 285 bhp. So where to get those extra horsepowers :(

[derekthetree]

they might be put off because Volvo also dropped their R model range.
And the standard 3.0 liter straight 6 with turbo (volvo s80) only produces 285 bhp. So where to get those extra horsepowers :(

volvo's tend to be very light on boost. they would have just needed to turn the wick up a bit :)

[syko]

Maybe its not cancelled just less crazy stuff in it, but still sounds like it will be good.

rs spy shot (http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/secret_new_car.php?sid=818&page=1)

[Ferrer]

So it's on again. I wonder how long before denies RS Focus plans again...

[Coventrysucks]

If it does go into production, what will Autocar et al do to plug the gap in their "news" sections?

Following their reactions to the problems of other cars with an "R" going into production, I suppose they will announce the "-R" version: Jaguar XKR-R, Honda Civic Type R-R...

Focus Type RS-R?

[fordman6]

If they (Ford) make this, PLZ BRING IT HERE!!! It'll sell!!!
http://www.caradvice.com.au/3575/fo...g-to-australia/

[Ferrer]

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24022 ;)

And first they have to actually make it...

[fordman6]

If they (Ford) make this, PLZ BRING IT HERE!!! It'll sell!!!
http://www.caradvice.com.au/3575/fo...g-to-australia/

People keep telling me, but they gotta make it before they sell it, but people don't read posts these days! :@