Ford Focus RS confirmed!

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By Alborz Fallah | December 18th, 2007

After years of yes/no/maybe answers Ford of Europe has today confirmed plans to deliver the high performance Focus RS model for launch in 2009. The first official image of the car was also released today.

Based on the Focus ST (XR5), it will be developed by Ford Team RS, to take on the likes of Subaru and Mitsubishi’s rally kings.

“With two consecutive Manufacturers’ World Rally Championship titles under our belt, the time is right to create a new Focus RS,” said John Fleming, Ford of Europe’s President and CEO.

Ford is tight-lipped about the whole thing, not giving any hints as to what we should expect, only that the company plans to show a concept version of the car publicly for the first time in mid-2008.

“We will use the redesigned 2008 Focus ST as the base for a no-compromise RS model that will become the ultimate road-going Focus. Just as the Focus RS WRC owns the rally circuit, we want the new Focus RS to own the road, so we have the major competitors in our sights as we develop the car’s performance, design, handling and braking.” Mr Capito added.

Ford Australia is keen to bring the car here, most likely under the FPV badge.

“It’s definitely something we would look at but we can’t confirm anything at this stage,” said Ford Australia motorsport media manager Vicki Heath.

A firm decision would be made after the car’s European launch, she said.

Expect to see the Focus RS at European motor shows mid next year.

You can find spy photos of the Focus RS here.

Me.

Good to see that in Australia as an XR or FPV.
Elitist

To compete against the Japanese on the WRC to road market it doesnt take one release to get it right it takes “evolutions”….
alec

Ford has had many evolutions……… they were called Escorts!!
Watto_Cobra

Awesome. A mate has an XR5Turbo which is a top car.

RS being AWD would negate the torque-steer issues that would plague the more powerful engine .ie. VXR Astra.

I can see it like this-
FordEUR – FocusST in Oz is Ford – XR5Turbo
FordEUR – FocusRS in Oz is FPV – ???
Frugal One

Ford make rubbish

END_OF_STORY!

Isnt it a fact, its why they lose money month after month, they are also going to run out of brands they own to sell, the till will be dry.Its PanAm all over

A/Martin…gone
Cosworth…gone
L/Rover….gone
Jaguar…..gone

FORD “Recievers and managers appointed” -”Chapter 11″ – “Amministrazione controllata” etc

Cheers

F-0
golfschwein

I once read a reader letter in Viz magazine, “Why do Ford keep naming their cars after…” Oh no, I can’t go there. It was Viz, after all.

Anyway, back to Me. Focus RS, I reckon, mate. It tells the punter that it’s the top wazza XR-Nuthin. As for FPV? After all these years, FPV still just doesn’t roll off the tongue easily. Tickford was much nicer.

I can’t help thinking that the respective FPV and HSV cars would carry more brand value if they’d remained Fords and Holdens, and that there was fewer of them.
bubba ganush

Frugal one

Commodore: Opel reckord

Barina: Daewoo who cares

Epica: Daewoo Whatever

Astra: Vauxhall

Vectra: Vauxhall

Torana: Viva, Vauxhall Ventura.

does holden have any of its “own brand”
Tonyn

if Ford were serious about aus id ditch the XR nameplate, call them GS just like the 70′s!!
Jp

frugal one, such a generalised statement is rather pointless and contributes nothing to the conversation, grow up.

As for the importing of this focus, it is great to see ford really developing its smaller car range and going outside of the traditional falcon based models, as was refrerenced earlier, the escorts were a great little car and were very competitive in rally as todays modern focus is, so why shouldnt we have a wrx, evo matching model….. if it is comparable to them on the street they are destined for big things in the aus market i reckon. Just hope they go all out and really differentiate it from the xr5 t as they should be doing with the new FPV’S!
golfschwein

Bubba Ganush, I know you’re craftier than you make out. Or are you? VE Commodore is the first Commodore without a direct European donor car.
Me.

frugal one, WHAT was the point in that?
Me.

Yes Ford are currently going down. But does that mean what they make is rubbish?
Myke

Ford Europe seems pretty stable, it’s FORD in the US where all the problems are.
I need a Vent

Ladies & Gentlemen,

Can we keep Focus here (pardon the pun) Rejoice the RS is alive, and Ford has found some “Kahounas” to build such a vehicle. I can’t wait to drive it.
Bubba Ganush

Golfschwein

Your right i stand corrected ……1 car

although i got to hand it to them for exporting their vehicle to saudi arabia eurpope etc good to see
Flying High

More competition for the Rex and Evo can only be a good thing. Bring it on!
Scott C

Will be a damn good car i think. The problems i see with it are that the current donor car (xr5) is one of the heaviest in its class. No big deal but when you add 4wd etc i just hope they dont let the weight blow out too far like the evo has done. However they say its uncompromised so maybe there is hope for a light\’ish RS.

The only other problem i see there might be is that of price. In the nineties therewas an awesome cosworth they brought in 2litre turbo 4wd very quick and could have taken it to the wrx easily but it was double the cost… If the price is 60k or less they have a good chance, over that and it may struggle..
Glen

Awesome Ford Oz has never imported a seriously hot hatch b4, Sierra Cosworths, Escort Cosworths all went begging and all we got were TX3 Turbo 4WD (great cars themselves but nowhere near what the cossies were) and its the way the market is going. I don’t see why the RS would be much more expensive than the STi or EVO. If its FWD it will be a waste.

Frugal nick off adults are having a discussion not trying to start childish arguments because Holden dont have anything to compete with it.

If it comes (God willing) It should be could Focus RS, nothing else, if they call it a F5 Tempest or something I think that would be a shame. or just the FPV RS now thats a keeper.
greg

God some people talk some crap (keyboard warrior’s), Frugal One says ford makes rubbish because they sold off Land Rover and Jaguar etc, so f-king what, for a company to succeed and profit it has to make decisions for future progress, remmember GM have been stuggling with loss of profits including SAAB and spending money on ageing Daewoo platforms, which only your mother would be proud with sorrowful love, so why does Holden hang on to something thats is crap, as for the Daewoo Epica’s, Barina’s etc, what a terrible example of Holden’s involvement in the car industry, even Holden worker’s must have regrets building crap for the blind “but I thought this car was made in Australia”.

Before anyone thinks Ford is rubbish please have a look at your own favourite manufacture’s bad points, Holden dosen’t even compare to Ford when it comes to building cars, worldwide racing success, plus inventing cars helps to.. Holden can only be proud of one real race V8 SUPERCARS “BIG DEAL”..
greg

The Focus RS should leave the understeering astra for dust, most of us know Ford stay away from slapping panels together using rivets and tarzan glue, I’m expecting euro quality mixed with fords racing heritage, I can’t wait to drive the bullet..
Football, Meatpies, Kangeroos and Holden Cars

The Commodore was only ever a modified Rekord during the VB to VL. All other Commodores have only been Australian made and designed. Its like saying the Ford Falcon is a American Ford of which it was based off originally. Escort, Cortina were Pommy cars, Laser and Telster were Mazda 323 and 626, Corsair ( never forget that brilliant name lol) Nissan Pintara, Festiva was a Kia, Mavrick was a Nissan Patrol and current small cars are euro built but share chassis and other parts with Mazda 2, Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 oh and the American Ford Probe which was a Mazda 626 coupe and the Ugly American Ford Taurarse.
When has Ford ever had a uniquely Aussie car as even the Fairlane/LTD were based off a American Fairane and Galaxy LTD of which the Falcon is only a shorter wheelbase version.
golfschwein

Partly right…once the Rekord became the Omega/Senator in 1986ish, Commodore was still based on them, more particularly the Senator. Holden made the car wider but all the side glass and door panels are interchangeable between VN and Senator.

I’ll leave the Ford guys to uphold their favoured brand.
Me.

^^^Well no the answer is your favourte car sux and you have to defend it because you are so lame and you should go back to your Holdenwoo forum…
Me.

two post up from my last, is an idiot but unless you can be good you should control your self from posting here.
Me.

Well he is Partly right, but the first time he came without been an idiot.

You talking about your VB-VL C’dore, but HAHA! You were saying about the Falcon been American, but at that time the Falcon was Australian with a better engine than your Red & Blue motors!
capncrunch

As FH said above – more competition is always a good thing – bring it on!
Glen

Typical Holden bias f,m,k & hc. The Falcon has been uniquely aussie designed and built since the XA of 1972 whereas the Ve Bommodore was the 1st completely designed in Oz. Plus id rather my small cars come from europe or japan than korea.

And don’t start getting high & mighty about Ford using a bit of badge engineering. Remember the Holden Nova & Apollo (Corolla & Camry with Holden badge) 1st astra was a rebadged pulsar and even the VL commodore had a japanese engine and it is widely regarded as the best 6 cyl engine holden ever used.

At least Lasers were built here for a while unlike astra’s or daewoo barina & epica. And also Focus will be built here from 2010 onwards.

The only Holden that has ever been Australian designed and engineered was the very 1st one, nearly 60 years ago.
Me.

Glen, I know what you mean, but the first Holden wasnt very Australian at all, the first concept built in USA and alot of parts were from over there. And they had a weak body that spred out if it had too much loads. But They fixed that problem with the FJ.
Bubba Ganush

hopefully it will come in a coupe just to add some more variety into the focus range
Me.

Hopefully it should have cobra stripes as an option just like the Fiesta XR4.
Football, Meatpies, Kangeroos and Holden Cars

Holdens from FJ to WB were all uniquely Australian except for the Names DeVille and Caprice. Ford Sux and will be fully overseas run by the time the next generation reach 50 years old if they reach it that is. Ford Aus made a massive mistake not preparing Falcon for export. Falcon will be dead from 2012, Focus will resume as a Thai built car and Ford Oz will be no more because of their own mistakes whilst Holden goes from strength to strength because of foresite.

Also the Me person is a utter idiot who is probably under 18 with no knowledge of the car industry.
Football, Meatpies, Kangeroos and Holden Cars

Also keep the stripes to the real muscle cars, not these little artificialy powered lawn mower engine powered SDrof.
realcars

F,M,K,HC I think u need to buy a Lexcen and find yourself. Ha Ha Ha.
Me.

umm, who are you to say i’m 18? You are less than 15 and you should leave…
realcars

or a four cylinder commodore with the infamous starfire engine. Take a 173 cid red motor and saw two cylinders off it then weld it up and hope nobody notices Ha Ha Ha.
Me.

Well NFL, Hamburgers, Eagles And Holdenwoo, you say Ford Australia won’t be around in 50 years? With your point nether will Holdenwoo at the way they exporting, so they’ll just be for the US only and leave here.
__________

NFL, HAMBURGERS, EAGLES AND HOLDEN CRAP
Football, Meatpies, KangAroos And Holdenwoo Sux

Changed my name back…

You are so gay to that looser I recon you love your crappy Blue starfire 4.
Football, Meatpies, KangAroos And Holdenwoo Sux

Forgot to say you can’t even spell ‘KANGAROO’ so you are less than 10. End of story.
Me.

Those Starfire 4s are a junk motor, they ran rough and they kept breaking the manifolds. The Ford 3.3L X-Flow 6 was better than that crapy old 4 in the dunnydores.

So I can tell you all that NFL, HAMBURGERS, EAGLES AND HOLDENWoo CRAP loves loves them…
__________

NFL, HAMBURGERS, EAGLES AND HOLDEN CRAP
GhisGT

Don’t diss the star fire 4 they have more than 950rwkw!!! Im serious!
Football, Meatpies, KangAroos And Holdenwoo Sux

BS…You are just an idiot who would rather do a holden exauhst than a chick.
Glen

ok ignore the twit, once someone spews stuff like that you know he knows sfa about anything auto related. The argument of Ford Sux is the sign of either a kid with no idea or a an adult with the intelligence of a kid with no idea
Watto_Cobra

I’m glad not everyone thinks like F,M,K,HC or Frugal One because they “want” Ford to fail. Send thousands of jobs overseas, that sounds like a great idea boys. As mentioned earlier, it’s FordUS’ arrogance and the high Oz dollar that’s screwing the possibility of Falcon exports.

I hope Mitsubishi and Ford pick up, I wouldn’t want to see any of our local car manufacturing fold, yes even Holden.

If done properly the new RS will be a killer like the Escorts of yore.
Me.

I agree, people want ford to fail and millions of jobs will be lost, the media always do their bit to make Holden fans feel better. But what they don’t understand if no Ford, no V8 Supercars…Simple as that.

And Just having the Commodore Cup might sound exiting, but it will get boring down the track.
Guy UK boy

The global market for cars is shrinking, the big players can no longer develop cars for particular countries. That why you Aussies are getting more Euro motors.

The RS will be a cracking car when it arrives. British car with a Swede engine and transmission sold in Australia. Thats why Britain is Great.

Bavarian will be watching this cars tail pipe!!!!

See yah
Watto_Cobra

Yep, kiss V8Supercars goodbye (our nations largest motorsport), saloon cars series, the utes, etc.That would leave me with only WRC and MotoGP to watch

Would that sound good to any other motorsport fans who want to see FordOz die? Well, I doubt TRUE fans would.

BTW Me. I find it interesting that every channel except 7 has pointed out that no Holden driver has won the Barry Sheene medal (yet).
Bavarian Missile

Ill be watching what sort of tail pipe.{do you know what I drive}….Guy UK boy {at least you got the BOY right}

So how many Euro cars do us Colonials buy compared to Aussie developed stuff and Jap!mmmmmm

Mate have you ever heard of a GT…….?You know had that stupid “fastest production car in the WORLD “Thingy we got a while a go!

Give us some credit……after all its going to be fine and sunny here for XMAS DAY! May do a few laps in the pool before sitting down to a big lunch outside?? And you?

Mate if there is any thing Australians will come together on is our GREAT COUNTRY……best Country in the World!No matter what you drive!!

I guess your not dreaming of a White Christmas……..its real!
Bavarian Missile

Watto…………..its late where you are………..yawnnnnnn

Talk tomorrow! xxxxx
Watto_Cobra

Yep BM. 1:20am. I’m off to bed.
AJ

Funny, I dont see any Holdens dominating, or even close to competing, in WRC events.

Baseball, Hotdogs, Apple Pie & Chevrolet.
Me.

the picture looks like what next Territory could look like.
greg

I love my racing mostly moto gp motorbikes, but V8′s is a passion to, but if we lose Ford Australia, local motorsport will suffer greatly and Holden will suffer as well and I’ll do everything in my power to defame the phrase “My daddy told me Holden is the best” syndrome, I know people that have bought Daewoo platformed Holden’s and didn’t realize they are two cars in one imported from Korea, I think we should rally behind exposing the truth, as the majority of the public should be aware Holdenwoo’s false advertising..
Me.

Just like “Football, Meatpies, KangAroos and Holdenwoo cars” is something that makes people love Holden and think they the only australian car….

So that’s why a whole young generation now supports Holden. Last time this subject came up, “jbot” started insulting my family and ganged up on me with his Holdenwoo friends, so what i’m saying, that’s old, no need to bring it back.
Bubba Ganush

Agreed i think that ford and holden are the ying and yang of australian automobiles you cant have one with out the other.
The Axe

This article is about a Focus RS and we still get the same tosser changing topics.
euroFordguy

I think it’s great that Ford has decided to go ahead with the RS. Not everyone wants to drive an STI or EVO. The Focus is a wonderful base package which should be great fun with AWD and 210+ kwatt. It should make a nice addition to the FPV range for those of us who like smaller cars.
darrel TJ

can someone explain the difference between an RS and, say an XR5??
Me.

It’s called XR5 in Australia to be with the XR6 & XR8 Falcons.
Duck

So if it is sold as an FPV in australia it will be a great competitor for the HSV VXR Astra! Go VXR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bubba Ganush

Isnt the point of FPV AND HSV is to specially tune the vehicles to a set spec or a limited edition model.

wouldnt it be pretty cheap to bring in a car and put FPV or HSV badging on it. all you are paying for is the badges.

Maybe tweak the gearing or bigger turbo or whatever. And i know its cheaper to do that but still
Bubba Ganush

^ I mean: I know it is cheaper to import vehicle and put said badges on vehicle.
Watto_Cobra

As far as I know, the VXR Astra is simple badge engineering. The RS could be the same. You can’t give the Astra more power because it already has too much torque steer, and understeer. It is a bit quicker than the XR5 but the Focus handles far better. Not sure how much extra FPV could do to an RS.

Darrel TJ – The XR5Turbo is a FocusST in Europe. Very similar to a Zetec except it has a blown 5 pot Volvo engine making 166kW. The RS however, if history is anything to go by, will have 50% more power and AWD, a real rally weapon.

Duck – For those reasons, the VXR wouldn’t be in the same class. The XR5 and VXR are hot hatches, but the RS would be on a whole ‘nother level.

The Axe – Not sure who you are referring to? A few people go off topic. Give us a hint?
Watto_Cobra

Another point. The Focus range is designed in Germany and built in South Africa (soon to be Oz in 2010). But the ST (XR5) is fully built in Germany. I’m sure the RS is/will be too.
Guy UK Boy

Bavarian…your a hypocrit. An Assie wanting a BMW Euro car. Actually i’m skiing this xmas.

I’ve lived in Oz and loved it (back home now). Your just pissed about the tail pipe bit..Aaawww i’m really sorry. Go on chuck another shrimp on yer barby small town boy
Watto_Cobra

Actually *she* loves her BMW’s and Oz muscle cars.
Bavarian Missile

UK BOY……..a Hypocrit? How……..I also stable Aussie Horse Power as well as an M3, HONEY! Ive never said Euro isn’t better than Aussie mate, in some areas! Yep I got pissed off about the tail pipe bit,cause you assumed {and thats what I hate about people that come on this site and have no idea what the other drivers or for that matter what S E X they are,again you assume I am a guy.Wrong}that I had something slow. Mate doesn’t matter what keys I grab in this house I won’t be looking at its tail pipe!And your response to Aussie’s having the tittle of the fastest production car in the world was what??? STOP ranting on about what you clearly have no idea about!

Remind me again how good British stuff was in the 70s compared to Aussie built…..

Oh and remind me again how much of the RS FOCUS is British built ????????????????????

Never said this wasn’t a great car either the current GERMAN made XR5 Focus is a fantastic car! Cheerio young chap!!
Bavarian Missile

Thanks Watto……..just when I thought I had all the idiots I can tolerate in a week ,I get another ignoramus attacking me . Some people should perhaps do some research on those they abuse on this site before attaching their fingers to the key board!
Me.

Yes BM, the pommy cars were crap in the 60&70 with their gutless 4s. So GuyUK Boy can’t talk. How did you end up an idiot magnet on this post?
Me.

GayUKboy… Stay away from an Australian car site if you want to attack and be racist… Not all the cars in UK are pommy, mate. So don’t winge againts Australians for having BMWs, Hypocrit.
John Howard

Hey folks i kinda love the colonials. Queen Liz and all that. Cut it out the worlds to small.

I’m downgrading to a holden barina to cut my carbon footprint
Roger Me Senseless

Correct me if i’m wrong but Fords RS base is in Ockenden, Essex, UK not in mainland Europe as some of you state. Fords cars are generally assembled for Europe in Germany, and Belgium. The smaller cars as you state for the southern hemisphere market are assembled in S.A.

The RS is going to be a fab car & like all fords well prepared. Mine is on order.
greg

^^^^More Spam, I feel very sorry for you John Howard, stooping that low and resorting to buy a piece of junk called a Barina, please leave your Holdenwoo car crap comments for holdenwoo forums thanks..
Me.

Hey little Johnny! Do you miss the view from your morning walk?

Don’t buy a Barina, the older “OPEL” ones are lemons and the new “Holdenwoo” ones are egg shels.
Bubba Ganush

They should stick with the RS badge over here
Guy UK Boy

Hey ME where did i mention anything about racism. I’m not anywhere as racist as most Aussies. I’ve live in Oz for a time and loved it. I like this website for the intelligent discussions but you’ve let the side down.

Sorry if i offended BM i just made a comment he/she took exception to. Can’t help if they are being over sensitive.

Yep 70 brit cars were crap. Plenty of peeps in Oz still driving them though.

RS is still a great car though.
Watto_Cobra

Guy UK Boy. Poms are good, that’s why I like Top Gear.

Which cars are people still driving? Cortinas? My first 2 cars were Sporty Corty’s.

Rare to seem them around now tho.
Oz.

Yes Watto, Top Gear is a good car show from UK. It’s not boring testing, they usally push the cars to their limits.
Guy UK Boy

watch this from latest Top Gear series UK winter 07 – Vauxhall VXR 8 test against the german competitors. Ace motor clarkson loved it. Well done you lot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wtmfgd2MUxQ
http://elfin The boss

He was thrashing the vxr8 6.0 aka clubby,comparing it to a m5,same colour as m5 grunt of m5 at the end asked what would buy and said its an australian car with poor looks and wouldnt buy it,instead i would buy the m5.Honest pom hehe.
Watto_Cobra

Well, I like Top Gear for entertainment. Maybe not a huge amount of info, but that may be why it’s entertaining. Go the Stig.
L33tFordLuvver

It will be very good to see the RS come to Austalia for it is certainly a good option to make back some ground against STI, EVO and HSV. Thanks god Ford is selling off these other manufacturers such as Range Rover – the constant R&D each year for Rover alone costs Ford millions – and they never get it back. Ford needs to perfect their own models now and make money for THEMSELVES so we get the good end of the stick. Focus and Mondeo are gonna save the image for Ford here in Oz – and the BG Falcon will top it off.