Alan

The all new MkII Focus built on the C1 platform has started production in Europe. Unfortunately this version of the Focus is at least 3-5 years away from hitting the states. Perhaps by then this chassis will be outdated. Good job Ford. Those who want the superb C1 chassis in the states will have to settle for the Mazda 3 or the Volvo S40...both of which are excellent cars/platforms.



Focus RS test mule:





The design is definately as radical as the first ZX3, yet I'm not sure if I like it. I want to see more production photos, but this is all I've seen so far on Focaljet.

Alan

However this one looks pretty decent:

Alan

Couple renditions of the new Focus ST (the European Focus version of the SVT):

EsCoRtLvR

Ford wouldn't do that, as I've said before, their "precious" would have hindered sales if they had a decent 4 cylinder gas sipper to compete with .

cosworth34677

hey you guys know that cars comin over here in 2006 right!!
but the only thing keeping the rs or wrc or cosworth any thing from ford is svt!

they dont want to fight svt aignst cosworth and thr rs and wrc escort mazda 3 or escorts for that fact will alway have problem getting here!!

the go news is that cosworth is starting to relase there ford tuming parts here fist for the 2.3 4's than the 2.0 zetec finaly for the 2.0,1.9 si and efi cvh motors and the 2.3 turbo cvh motor

keep checking the mags and cossey site hope they get here soon so us 4 clydr ford guys can shut up though spoon and mugen handa kids !!!!

Stangonline

^^^
translate please?

Alan

It will not be here in 2006. Even Ford's rumored 3-5 year estimated time of arival for the C1 platform Focus is sketchy at best. Backing this fact is the recent redesign of the Focus for the 2005 model year. Ford US will get at least another 4-5 years out of the recent face lift on the existing US Focus chassis.

SVT, RS, and Cosworth are completely different animals. SVT and RS are factory backed. Cosworth is an aftermarket manufacturer (think of them as the 4-cylinder Ford equivalent of Saleen). Ford Europe was actually using the SVT Focus drivetrain in the ST. The RS...don't hold your breath. SVT has been doing their own R&D for a turbo AWD Focus in the states since 2000 and we have seen jack and shit on any sort of production run. Besides, the only thing cool about the RS is that it is a factory turbo Focus. It is still FWD.

I'd be more excited about this new Mazdaspeed 6 and what it may mean for Ford products. The 2.3l Duratec is found in the Focus. With the Mazdaspeed 6's turbo 2.3l and AWD, I'm interested in seeing if any of this R&D will find its way into something else.



About the WRC....that is the World Rallye Car. That would be the equivalent of Chevy selling a Winston Cup Monte Carlo to the masses...it just won't ever happen.

Stangonline

^^ Mazdaspeed 6 - talking to the wife about getting one. I read an article on it and was kinda crushed to learn that the AWD is going to make it tip the scales at over 3600lbs. 276hp sounded pretty good until that.

Also, get this - 15lbs of boost and 9.5:1 compression. Sounds good, but it makes you wonder how much you can really tweak it. Boost is already pretty high, considering the compression

If they could get the weight down to 3200ish....

Jeff

Alan

Pretty heavy but the size of the car is fairly large as well. Mazda is specifically targeting this car against the Legacy (another car you should look into). Both are nice sized family 4-doors with AWD and turbo powerplants. I'm thinking Subaru will have the upperhand having more proven engineering in the drivetrain.

I was not at all impressed with the Mazdaspeed Protege. It was a horrid attempt at a "tuner car"...they got the suspension right but the motor is complete garbage. Luckily the 2.3l Duratec is a great starting point for the 6...lets hope Mazda gets it right this time around and actually decides to use forged internals instead of slapping a turbo on an otherwise stock motor.