2009 Ford Focus
Of all the forbidden fruit in Ford's European lineup, the Focus RS remains the most enticing. Originally introduced across the pond in 2002, the WRC-inspired RS was everything the Focus should have been in the U.S. Turbocharged power, a competent chassis, and aggressive styling all demanded respect from both onlookers and drivers. For 2009, the Focus RS will make its comeback after a five-year hiatus, and this time, we might actually get a crack at Ford's hottest hatch.
The new RS is built atop the aging, yet accomplished C1 architecture that underpinned its predecessor; the same chassis shared with the Volvo C30 and our perennial favorite, the Mazda3. The bulging front and rear quarter panels conceal a track widened by 40mm, and combined with a redesigned front bumper, side skirts, integrated rear diffuser, twin-element spoiler, and functional hood and fender vents, the RS exudes performance without ever turning a wheel in anger.
Power is provided by a turbocharged, 2.5L Duratec five-cylinder, putting 295 bhp and 302 lb-ft of torque through the front wheels. The modified mill is equipped with new camshafts, a revised cylinder head and gasket, and tweaked intake and exhaust manifolds. Ford estimates that the RS will sprint to 60 in under six seconds once final testing is completed later this year.
As anyone who's cracked the 300hp mark on the EG Civic will tell you, channeling that kind of power through the front wheels is an exercise in futility and determination. Ford realized from the onset that the new RS would need more than just a limited-slip differential to keep torque steer at bay, so engineers developed a new front suspension system, dubbed the "RevoKnuckle," that works in conjunction with the Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing LSD and standard MacPherson strut arrangement to minimize wheel hop through a reduction in steering offset. Ford thought long and hard about employing all-wheel drive on the RS, but determined that the added weight and complexity of the additional drivetrain components couldn't justify the marginal increase in grip and added expense.
In addition to the RevoKnuckle and beefed up driveshafts, Ford reworked the suspension to extract maximum performance from its boosted three-door. Stiffer springs and dampers, along with a thicker, longer rear antiroll bar, work in conjunction with a revised steering rack to provide sharper responses through the helm. Wrapped in 235/35/19 Continental rubber, 19-inch wheels frame up-rated discs, sized 336mm in the front and 300mm out back. And while Ford equipped the RS with stability control, it's insistent that it won't be triggered unless things truly get out of hand. Even so, the ESP can be defeated for all-out track assaults.
Ford execs have made it clear over the last year that the C1 Focus is on its way to U.S. shores. If they finally make good on their promises, expect the Focus RS to arrive in 2011 with an ST badge on the boot.
Lotus 'Eagle'
Lands In London
Lotus is in the process of expanding its reach beyond hard-core track junkies and Colin Chapman devotees by releasing a new 2+2 suitable for the daily grind. Currently code-named the Lotus "Eagle," the new coupe is around 13 inches longer than the Elise/Exige, and is equipped with a Toyota-sourced 3.5L V-6 mounted amidships, dolling out 276 bhp and 250 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels.
By Damon Lavrinc
Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!