Teaser: Ford Focus RS500

[Wretched]

Ford Focus RS500 Announced Via Teaser Site

Ford plans to formally introduce the new 2011 Ford Focus RS500 next week on a website dedicated to the car. The company released a teaser video of the car during a practice run at a Ford test facility in Lommel, Belgium.

Little can be seen on the car, but it appears it will maintain similar front and rear lighting elements as the 2010 Focus RS, as well as a glossy rear spoiler. The 90-second video shows the car under shroud of darkness as it takes off down the 4.3-kilometer Handling Track at the Lommel Proving Ground.

The majority of the video is shot through the glass, providing a driver's point-of-view. Most impressive is not what you see, but what you hear: the car's 2.5-liter 350 bhp (261 kW / 355 PS) turbocharged engine. According to Auto Express, the engine will be tuned by Mountune, and will be in matte black with black wheels.

With the limited edition 2011 Ford Focus RS500 being unveiled online on Wednesday, it makes us wonder if Ford will show the car off at the New York Auto Show next week. If so, will they sell the special edition Stateside?

http://www.worldcarfans.com/11003262...ser-site-video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAZ54yXOD0c

Just another one we won't get in OZ. :

[GTENVY]

Sounds damn awesome!! Wish the driver opened it up a bit more, certainly sounded like they short shifted.

[Bossxr8]

Won't the new Focus already be out by 2011, and the 2.5 litre replaced by the Ecoboost 4?

[Franco Cozzo]

I dont know about you guys, the Mazda 3 MPS is doing 190 through the front wheels and it torque steers like anything, 260 would be insane.

[Ghiadude]

There will be rumours of awd for sure

[Chilliman]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I dont know about you guys, the Mazda 3 MPS is doing 190 through the front wheels and it torque steers like anything, 260 would be insane.

Look up Revo-knuckle - these will be turning up on more Ford FWD models in the future. Here's a brief explanation from this Focus RS article (in bold):

Ford Focus RS: 300hp Through the Front Wheels

source: Ford Motor Company

Focal enthusiasts rejoice... well at least you European guys. SVTers can only admire from across the Atlantic for now. Details of the new king-of-the-hill Focus RS have surfaced ahead of the London Motor Show. Dubbed 'Duratec', the same Volvo-sourced 2.5T from the Euro-only Focus ST has been massaged to 300hp 302 lb-ft of torque driven through the front wheels. You'd think that'd make for torque-steer central, but Ford says no. A new 'Revo Knuckle' front suspension design and torque-biasing limited slip diff from Haldex help make the car compliant as it rockets to 60mph in under six seconds.

focus_0.jpg

PRESS RELEASE: NEW FORD FOCUS RS: A LEGEND RETURNS

BRENTWOOD, July 4, 2008 - The legendary Ford RS performance car brand is returning in the shape of the exciting new Ford Focus RS, which will be previewed on July 22 at the 2008 London International Motor Show.

The new Focus RS will go on sale in early 2009 and is being created by a small team of dedicated engineers, under the direction of Jost Capito, Ford of Europe's Vehicle Line Director for Performance Vehicles.

For performance road car enthusiasts, the new model will mark a welcome return for the Ford RS badge. This will be the second Focus model to carry the RS mantle and promises another exciting chapter in an exciting 40-year story that began in Germany in the late 1960s and gained momentum across Europe with the launch of the 1970 Escort RS1600.

Capito said: "We want the new Focus RS to be a serious high performance car - as much a car for driving enthusiasts as the one before it and classic Ford RS models of the past. We're staying true to the core RS principles of an exciting, yet affordable performance road car you can live with every day."

focus3.jpg

Authentic RS presence and style
Before it even turns a wheel, the new Focus RS exudes the presence, sporty style and lowered, 'meaner' appearance expected of a genuine Ford RS. Overt performance styling details mix with subtle revisions to create a planted, powerful stance and the promise of an exciting drive.

The London show car previews the design intent for a final production vehicle, though as development work continues, some final details may change before volume production begins.

The vehicle is finished in a special bright green paint with inlaid metallic flake, a striking, modern interpretation of the 1970s Le Mans Green of the Escort RS1600 era.

The vibrant exterior colour is contrasted with a number of performance styling details highlighted in gloss 'piano black', including the strip at the leading edge of the bonnet, the deep housings for the integrated front fog lamps and door mirrors with integrated side indicators.

Front and rear quarter panels have been revised to incorporate wider wheel arches and a wider track, complemented by revised, deeper side rocker mouldings. In another visual reminder of the car's performance potential, triangular, RS-badged vents sit behind the front wheel arches. Two classic-style bonnet louvres are both a styling hint at the power beneath and a practical requirement, maintaining correct system temperatures.

The completely new front bumper design for Focus RS incorporates a deep front airdam with a large, mesh lower grille in an extended trapezoid. Stylish and practical, this prominent feature represents the latest Ford 'kinetic design' face and also is finished in piano black. Above, chromed xenon headlamps stand out like cat's eyes and are framed by matt-black housings with unique additional vents running underneath.

At the rear, a deep new rear bumper incorporates a large venturi tunnel to its lower edge with small vents at each corner of the bumper, emphasizing the car's width. Two impressive chromed exhaust tailpipes sit each side of the black venturi, creating a purposeful rear view for the car.

Above, a unique, twin-element, black RS rear spoiler sits at the Focus RS' roofline, echoing both RS models of the past and the World Rally-winning Focus WRC that has been its inspiration.

"We believe it's vitally important that a Focus RS looks like both a Focus and an RS - it needs to be individual, distinctive and overt in its performance styling, but it also needs to show a clear progression from and relationship to Focus ST", said Stefan Lamm, Chief Exterior Designer, Ford of Europe.

focus_interior.jpg

High performance interior
Inside, this theme continues with a unique and appropriately performance-oriented interior, dominated by bespoke, sculpted Recaro high-performance sports seats, specially designed and trimmed for excellent support, even when driving enthusiastically. Each is colour-matched to the exterior, with ebony leather accents and 'RS' and 'Recaro' logos stitched into each backrest.

Elsewhere, colour brings new excitement to the Focus interior, building on the sporty interior theme of Focus ST with more use of accents matched to the exterior colour, brushed aluminium highlights and overt performance styling. Even the rear seats feature higher side bolsters and a microfibre finish to echo those up front.

The centre console is finished in a stylish gloss, carbon-look trim and metallic highlights abound, from air vents, door grab handles, switchgear and gearshift surround, to unique RS-branded scuff plates on the door sills. These highlights contrast with a black-trimmed roof lining, emphasising the sporty, cockpit feel.

The driver is reminded this is a special Focus at every touch, with a gear lever finished with a six speed gear shift graphic in RS blue, a sporty, three-spoke steering wheel, finished with 'Ford' and 'RS' logos and even aluminium foot pedals. The performance driving environment is completed by three additional gauges from the Focus ST, including turbo pressure, sitting atop the centre console and angled toward the driver's eyeline.

focus4.jpg

Powerful RS heart
At the heart of the all-new Focus RS is a specially developed, turbocharged version of the Duratec 2.5-litre 5-cylinder engine. Significantly revised for high performance, this powerplant is targeting an impressive power output of 300PS and over 410Nm of torque, contributing to an excellent power-to-weight ratio.

Such significant increases are not simply the result of altering engine management or boost pressure: starting with the Duratec 2.5-litre block, Ford RS engineers developed unique camshafts, a revised cylinder head and gasket and revised intake and manifold system for the car.

Although the car is still in development, prior to its launch in early 2009, early performance testing indicates a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) time of under six seconds.

A traction 'Revo'-lution
Throughout Focus RS’ development, Capito and his team have been keeping a sharp focus on creating a car that delivers excellent performance and traction.

Various innovations, developed as a result of customer feedback from previous performance Fords, have allowed engineers to keep the new Focus RS as front-wheel drive, with a limited-slip differential, while still achieving demanding targets for traction, handling and steering.

The new Ford Focus RS is equipped with an innovative front suspension system known as a 'RevoKnuckle', which is designed to reduce unwanted steering disturbance and torque steer, the impact of torque on steering in front-wheel driven vehicles. Torque steer occurs during hard acceleration, cornering or driving on uneven surfaces, when torque on the driven wheels exceeds grips levels. It is characterised by sudden turning force on the steering wheel and can be exacerbated by vehicles with wide tyres and limited-slip differentials.

In Focus RS, the RevoKnuckle works in conjunction with a Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing limited-slip differential. Ford Team RS engineers have worked closely with Ford's Advanced Research Centre in Aachen, Germany to develop the RevoKnuckle technology specifically for the high performance Focus RS. It allows the simplicity of a traditional McPherson strut arrangement, but with geometry settings that minimize steering disturbances and torque steer, principally a reduction in steering offset.

"The Ford Focus is an excellent base for a high performance car - agile, responsive and stable," explained Capito. "We studied at length how best to enhance these qualities for a high performance model. Our work has shown clearly that our approach in combining a tuned RevoKnuckle with the Quaife differential is an ideal solution for a high performance front-wheel-drive road car like Focus RS.

"As you would expect, we gave all-wheel-drive careful consideration, but by combining and tuning these elements and learning from Ford's expertise in industry-leading handling, we have managed to eliminate the weight of AWD from the car and still have been able to target a class-leading balance of traction, handling and performance.

"The result is a lightweight set-up, that will deliver the right blend of traction and razor sharp controllability - in a way no one would have expected from front-wheel-drive, and we believe we have made the right choice," Capito concluded.

focus1.jpg

Dynamic, agile and responsive
A genuine Focus RS must maintain and enhance the reputation for responsive, precise handling for which Focus is acclaimed and considerable engineering effort has ensured that the new Focus RS will do just that.

Driving quality developments for Focus RS include a 40mm wider track, stronger, longer driveshafts, revised springs and dampers and a thicker, longer rear anti-roll bar. At the same time, the steering system has been retuned to provide an even sharper steering response and very precise feedback.

Brakes also have been uprated, with 336mm ventilated front discs and 300mm rear discs generating vice-like stopping power on road or track. Large calipers peek out from behind unique 19-inch wheels, wrapped in 235/35 low profile Continental tyres.

A special version of Ford's ESP system has also been developed for Focus RS, designed to allow a very sporty driving style before activating. Intensive work to refine the natural handling abilities of the car has allowed the ESP system to carry a full de-activation option for enthusiast drivers and especially for track use.

"We are refining all the handling characteristics of Focus RS without ESP, to hone its natural responses, rather than use ESP to help its handling. In Focus RS, ESP is a pure safety device", explained Capito.

Reliable and durable
In creating the new Focus RS, Ford's Team RS engineers have had to meet the same stringent targets for durability and reliability as those set for the rest of the Focus range.

Despite its many bespoke engineering and styling elements, Focus RS will be built entirely on the main Focus production line in Saarlouis, Germany and offered with a standard Ford of Europe warranty.

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A great heritage
The new Focus RS represents a significant moment in the heritage of both the Focus and Ford RS brands.

It is 10 years since the Ford Focus was first revealed to the world at the Geneva Motor Show in 1998, paving the way for a range of Ford vehicles whose exciting design was matched by class-leading driving quality. Since this time, more than 5.3 million Ford Focus models have been built in Europe, including Russia, with the car also built and sold in North America and Asia.

At the same time, the new Focus RS marks the return of the famous but rare Ford RS badge, last seen on the first-generation Focus RS in 2002 and with a distinguished heritage stretching back 38 years including Fiesta, Escort and Sierra models.

"RS is uniquely important to us in terms of our performance heritage and World Rally Championship success, while the Focus has played a major part in establishing Ford's excellent reputation for driving dynamics," said John Fleming, Ford of Europe President and CEO. "The all-new Focus RS will embrace and celebrate both of these – it will be a genuine RS and a genuine Focus and I’m confident it won’t disappoint in either area".

[Franco Cozzo]

They reviewed the Focus RS with the revoknuckle thingo on top gear and it still torque steered fairly badly, enough to turn the wheel a quarter of a turn at one point, but I suppose anything to help is a good thing.

[Escort_RPDriver]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

They reviewed the Focus RS with the revoknuckle thingo on top gear and it still torque steered fairly badly, enough to turn the wheel a quarter of a turn at one point, but I suppose anything to help is a good thing.

Yeah it torque steered when he didn't have his hand on the wheel as soon as he did he was wowed because it worked

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

They reviewed the Focus RS with the revoknuckle thingo on top gear and it still torque steered fairly badly, enough to turn the wheel a quarter of a turn at one point, but I suppose anything to help is a good thing.

Here's some advice, take whatever you see on Top Gear with a grain of salt.
It's just pure entertainment.

I've seen that review, there could have been numerous other factors that could of caused the steering to turn. Every other review has said it handles pretty neutral. You want to see torque steer, look at the previous model Focus RS, the MPS 3 or the Vauxhall (HSV) Astra VXR.

No, this will not be AWD it will be FWD.

[FPV GTHO]

The rear lights give it away as the current MK2.5 shape still. I guess its a swansong for the model

[RS027]

Car on the left is the RS500 and the one on the right is an impression of the next generation RS. Colour combo on the RS500 is yet to be confirmed.

[Franco Cozzo]

One hot looking car.

[FPV GTHO]

Got a bit of the Craig Lowndes/00 Motorsport AU treatment there with the front lights.

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by FPV GTHO

Got a bit of the Craig Lowndes/00 Motorsport AU treatment there with the front lights.

On that note, maybe they should enter it into the Bathurst 12hr! The MPS is quick there. The RS500 will sizzle!

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by Ford via Autoblog

We've been waiting patiently for the digital reveal of the stonking new Ford Focus RS500, but apparently others aren't quite so cooth. According to one of our inside sources at the Blue Oval, the RS500's site was breached and the pictures have begun leaking out onto desktops in Europe. In response, Ford of Europe has announced that "Due to overwhelming interest shown for the new Ford Focus RS500, Ford has decided to release more information today." Uh-huh. Admittedly, while we can't condone the hacker's methodology, judging by these photographs we can understand their hurry, because Ford's latest limited-edition hot hatch looks to be a real corker.

Powered by a 2.5-liter five-cylinder that gives 350 PS and 460 Nm of torque (that's 345 horsepower and 339 pound-feet to us Yanks), the RS500 offers an appreciable boost over the standard – and still bonkers – Focus RS and its 305 horsepower and 325 lb-ft. We're assuming that like the 'base' RS that all that power gets funneled through the front wheels, which, even with Ford's trick RevoKnuckle front suspension and Quaife limited-slip differential, figures to be something of a handful. An entertaining handful, we're sure, but a handful nevertheless. Ford hasn't released full details yet, but the current RS hits 62 mph in under six seconds and blasts to 162 mph.

If you see one of these beasties on the road (you'll know them by the trail of dead their 19-inch wheels and serialized one-of-500 dashboard plaques, and at least judging by the pictures above, their matte black paint), you might want to take ask for a ride – or at least take a picture. The entire 2011 production run will be spread out over 20 European markets, with the U.K. predictably getting the most (101 units), Germany getting 55 cars, France receiving 50, tiny Belgium punching above its weight with 50 units of its own, and trickling on down until the hatches get to the likes of Denmark, the Czech Republic, and Greece (five units each) and Ireland, which will receive just three.

If you're interested in picking one up and you live in one of the twenty EDM markets that the RS500 will be sold in, might we kindly suggest that you stop looking at your computer screen and get on the phone to your local dealer now? For everyone else, you'll want to check back on Wednesday, March 31 when Ford releases more information, along with added frippery like ringtones, video snippets and so on. Top tip, Helmut!

God dammit Ford OZ bring it here so I can buy one.

[midnightXR6]

Having came from a volvo as my last car you would be surprised how much of that car actually has volvo stamped on parts lol

i think the ford badges are about the only ford parts haha

[BIGJB]

Not a small car type but dam that is sexy.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by midnightXR6

Having came from a volvo as my last car you would be surprised how much of that car actually has volvo stamped on parts lol

i think the ford badges are about the only ford parts haha

Well Ford, Mazda and Volvo worked together to build the C1 platform that the Focus, 3 and S40 are based on.

I too have noticed underneath the car (Xr5T) the engine and transmission had Volvo stamped all over it.

[trippytaka]

1 billion times better looking than a WRX.

[Polyal]

Thats unreal.

Hurry up one ford!!

[DBourne]

Originally Posted by Wretched

Well Ford, Mazda and Volvo worked together to build the C1 platform that the Focus, 3 and S40 are based on.

I too have noticed underneath the car (Xr5T) the engine and transmission had Volvo stamped all over it.

umm that's because it's a volvo engine

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by SgtBourne

umm that's because it's a volvo engine

Yeah I know that, I was just emphasizing the quoted post.

[Fled74]

One of our members, Zetec, works for Ford and got to drive the RS prototype on the Cologne test track when he was in Germany on holiday a couple years ago. Even in pouring rain, he said there was no hint of torque steer or wheel spin on acceleration. Hopefully he comes in here to elaborate.

As for those pictures - I need to change my underwear pronto.

[dannyhilton]

Originally Posted by Fled74

Even in pouring rain, he said there was no hint of torque steer or wheel spin on acceleration.

I'm sure it still has some torque steer, but it would be extremely more tame than a car without the setup Ford have used.

Having said that, I want. Just look at it. The RS was sexy to begin with, making it black, adding red seats and more go has just made this car look absolutely sensational. Now if Ford can do this to the Fiesta, bring it to Australia and have it at a reasonable price, put an FPV badge on it for good measure and I'll buy one. This thing looks mental. FWD haters must really dislike this car...

[R-Design]

Note to Ford AU / FPV: This is how you conduct a vehicle run out.

[TZENU]

Matte paint with black wheels..... That looks insane!!!

[Fev]

DAAAAMN that RS500 is so damn sexy!!! Love the flat black paint! Suits it to a T

[Ghiadude]

i want the gtho to have that paint scheme and that scheme only... even if it had a 4 cyl carby in it it would still look fast. cmon FoA you know you want to ..

[Nikked]

So, so much want!

[DBourne]

Originally Posted by Fev

DAAAAMN that RS500 is so damn sexy!!! Love the flat black paint! Suits it to a T

off topic: Fev, I saw your beastie yesterday in silverwater stands out nicely mate