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» New Ford Focus RS on track

Today, 08 October 2008

Yesterday, 07 October 2008

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» 'Tutu wrong about voting'

The new Focus RS — the fastest Focus road car to date — is on its way.

An early prototype is now undergoing performance and durability testing at the Nürburgring Circuit in Germany, in preparation for its launch in 2009.

The principal architect of the Focus RS project is Ford of Europe’s Vehicle Line Director for Performance Vehicles, Jost Capito, whose development group were responsible for the first generation Focus RS in 2002, and more recently, the Fiesta ST and the new Focus ST.

"The new Focus RS is as much a car for driving enthusiasts as the one before it and classic Ford RS models of the past," said Capito.

"We're staying true to the core RS principles of a no-compromise, affordable high performance road car you can live with. The new Focus RS will have the muscles, heart and soul of a genuine RS and will be exciting to drive every day," he reckons.

The all-new Focus RS features a specially developed, turbocharged version of the Duratec 2.5-litre engine, based on Focus ST, but significantly revised to generate over 205kW and more than 400Nm of torque.

Various chassis innovations, developed in conjunction with Ford's Advanced Engineering Centre in Aachen are being tuned for the new car by the Cologne-based Ford Team RS. Their overriding objective is to optimise driving dynamics and on road performance through an advanced front-wheel drive system, combined with a limited-slip differential.

"In early prototypes based on Focus ST vehicles, the new system is more than meeting our targets for exceptional levels of traction, handling and steering," Capito added.

"Given that the enthusiastic team behind the car are all performance vehicle enthusiasts, you can imagine that our standards are high."

The new Focus RS test and development programme will continue for several months, prior to the vehicle being readied for production in early 2009.

Although the internet and car magazines around the globe have continued to offer their opinions as to how the new car will look and drive, customers will get the first look at a production-intent vehicle with its world premiere at the London Motor Show in late July.

Further technical details of the all-new Focus RS will be released closer to launch.