The new CVE low emissions option for the Focus is going to have the 2.3l Duratec. I think it puts down 140-150hp compared to the 2.0l Zetec with a mere 130hp. The CVE option should be available in CA, NY, and one other state in the summer....then increased to all 50-states eventually.

Supposedly the US Focus will be getting the Duratec 2.0l in 2004 (WRC Focus teams are already running the Duratec power plant)...advantages over the Zetec are increased gas mileage and power.

I haven't heard much about the Diesel motor, with the exception that it will not find its way over to our shores for quite a long time. Ford is having problems with the motor running with the nasty diesel fuel available in the US.

Since the RS has just been introduced, people are finding that some RS parts are available through European Ford parts distributors. I imagine the parts bin will be extremely limited...but if not...I would expect to see quite a few people importing RS parts.

 

And still my little 1.6 puts out more power and has proven reliability. How I wish Ford's small vehicle program would pull their heads out of their asses motor wise.

 

160 hp and an undisclosed amount of torque. Not bad for an engine that was introduced in 1989 of only 1.6L of displacement. Mine stock put down 147hp to the wheels and 108 ft lbs of torque. Being svelte also helped it out as well, I won't deny that. My particular motor is of 1990 vintage and has not been dynoed or tuned since I made some "additions."

 

Here are official numbers stock:
160hp @ 7600rpm
111ft lbs of torque @ 7000rpm
10.2:1 compression ratio
optional LSD

It does not make the low end grunt of the 2.0L Zetec but it does not need it due to the fact the Hondas are not as porky as the Foci are. My engine with these specs was produced from 1989-1991 and was the first commercially available VTEC engine in a passenger car.

Here is the 2.0L JDM Accord motor.

Big difference even when compaired to the SVT Foci's motor. Want more and more revs? The F20C in the S2000 sports over 240hp and is a 2.0L. That is 110 more hp than the 2.0L Zetec found in the Focus. I'll quit before it gets too much further into the apples v oranges department.

 

The one thing I hate about Honda is their lack of torque. Even the new 2.0l you find in the Si and RSX-S lacks low end torque. Plus, look at how far you have to rev those motors out to get any power. I'd never feel right launching my $35k Honda at 8000rpm to get a decent time slip.



Got the car back today and all I can say is WHAT THE FUCK IS FORD THINKING??? My stock flywheel is a hefty 20lbs, and the addition of this 8.5lb unit makes driving much more enjoyable. However, I am having difficulties adjusting to this new clutch. Ever since my clutch has been going down the tubes, the feel has been much stiffer as compared to how it "should be". So now it is back to the prissy-pants pressure feel from the factory...and I can't get use to it, yet. Ugh.