I dont know what is about this car but I really like it. As usual though America gets jipped out of all the good cars. I was just reading Sport Compact Car and they had a little write up on one and I found a new favorite car. I couldnt find much information on them besides the ford press realease and what not but none the less its a pretty nice little car. I especially love the interior with the stock sparco seats. I wonder how much it would run to import one. Probably more than I could afford, but maybe some day.

btw here is one of the pages I found in case anyone else wants to look. http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/focus_rs.asp


Also speaking of car magazines I would have to say that Dave Coleman is by far my favorite car magazine editor.

 

That is a sweet car. Over the pond they also have a version of the US SVT Focus called the ST170. But, the Cossie is way badass. Wait till you see the 2005 Cosworth! DROOOL!
Rumors are also cirulating of a possible 6 banger Focus to compete more directly with the GTi VR6 here in the states. In addition a factory turbo or supercharger may be in the works for future SVTFs.

 

 

Too bad production has stopped on the Focus RS...regardless of the fact the practically sold them all a year before they even rolled off the assembly line. I think they cost upwards of $40k when converted to US dollars...alot of money for a Focus. Then again, in Europe, the Focus is really considered a "family car" due to is relatively large size compared to the competition.

Personally, I wouldn't buy one. Too much money for a relatively slow car.


At least now the US Focus will finally have a decent motor, the new 2.3l PZEV/Duratec. Should be a good base motor for the next SVT Focus. SVT has rumored to stop production temporarily in 2005...namely because the $13k base model ZX3 with the 2.3l is faster than the Zetec powered SVT.

 

I've always thought that the 2.5L V6 from the SVT Contour would've made a good engine for the Focus SVT.....mmm...V6 + Focus = Yummy...hell...since the 2.5 and the 3.0 Durtec are the same size...just use the 3.0.... Both are relatively light, so you wouldn't upset the SVT handling guys too much....

 

The 2.3 will not necessarilly be faster, it will have a bit more torque, but not any more horsepower.
I agree though, I certainly would not plop down 36K on a focus. You could get the SVTF...and for an additional 3K buy the Jackson supercharger kit and get relativly the same performance, if not better. 17K appx. for the SVTF, another 3K for the kit, you have 16K left over for sparco seats, and different wheels, etc.

here is more info:
http://www.fast-autos.net/ford/fordfocusrs.html

 

It fits, but it is quite a tight squeeze. This is probably one of the major factors for not putting it in the car. Particularly since the new 2.3l Duratec 4-banger is producing comparable numbers to the standard 2.5l Duratec 6-cylinder (non-SVT). I think you'll find SVT fiddling around with a 2.3l turbo instead of making a production V6. Easier to squeeze into a Focus creating less engineering headaches and more room to work around. It is really too much of a pain in the ass shoe horning the 2.5/3.0l motor into the Focus.

I'm not saying the V6 Focus wouldn't be a cool idea, but it just doesn't make sense when Ford has a smaller, more potent motor already sitting in the engine compartment of the ZX3.

Plus the 2.3l has TONS of potential. An almost carbon copy of the motor has been in the Ranger for a while now, and some of the 2.3l tuners are squeezing insane amounts of power out of that little motor. At the SEMA show this year, Cosworth releasing info on a head, cams, and ECU package for the 2.3l reported to add 100 hp at the crank. Not too shabby. :o

 

The 2.3l PZEV Foci run mid 15's right out of the box...same as the SVT. With merely exhaust, UDP, and an air filter...Focus Central squeezed a very low 15 out of the car. Not bad.

 

sounds good. I've always thought the 2.0 Zetec was a little weak, and lacking potential with out forced induction. Looks like that extra 300cc's is what it really needs. I remember hearing a while ago that the 2.3 will be the next base for the SVTF.

 

Im not a big ford guy myself considering I own a contour with the 2.0 zetec but I will say this. That car has stood some abuse from me and the transmission is another story. Its also probably the fact its not putting down too much horsepower to really hurt anything too bad. There is just something about the styling of the focus rs that I like and I have an affinity for turbochargers so I dont think its too bad for that car besides the fact that its close to 40,000 for one.