This new Focus RS will create a lot of envy . . . . if you don’t own one. Let’s see the specs that will whet any petrol head’s appetite. First, the Focus RS is not a Focus ST! Enough engineering went into re-engineering the car to make it significantly different. Most car enthusiast know that many car makers tweak a popular model, put in some fancy parts and sell the car for much more profit. Nothing like the sort for the 2009 Focus RS.
Things that were changed to create a different driving experience include:-
- a 40mm wider track
- stronger drive shafts,
- revised springs and dampers
- thicker, longer rear anti-roll bar
- retuned steering system for precise feedback and sharper steering response
- uprated brakes, 336mm ventilated front discs and 300mm rear discs
- low profile 235/35 tires
- revised ESP (electronic stability program) system allowing a very sporty driving behaviour before kicking in. While in most cars the ESP is used to enhance handling, in the Focus RS, it is more of a safety device.
The engine is a specially developed, turbocharged version of the Duratec 2.5-litre 5-cylinder engine. The internet grapevine initially thought Ford took the easy way out by remapping the engine. While it is easy to extract 300PS and over 410Nm of torque with a 2.5 liter engine, to do so with a drivable engine with a flat torque curve and high enough power needed much more work. So the notion of taking a shortcut is dispelled.
Ford literally recreated the Duratec 2.5-litre block, with unique camshafts, revised cylinder head and gasket, revised intake and exhaust manifold system for the car. The engine also benefits from metal sprayed cylinder bores for durability, revised pistons, a bespoke camshaft profile and connecting rods, allowing for bigger, small end bearings.
Something petrol heads (driving at redline) will be delighted to know is that the Focus RS engine mapping allows short burst of “over rev” which holds until the 7,050 rpm redline for 3 seconds and then drops back down to 6,500 rpm for continuous running.
While many expected 4WD in the RS, it may surprise that it doesn’t. It makes do with 2 front driven wheels for less transmission losses. It took plenty of work to align the drivetrain and steering geometry coupled with Ford’s secret weapon called a RevoKnuckle and a Quaife limited slip differential to keep all that torque under control.
What does all this mean? Pure driving pleasure is a compact car. I imagine quite a few people getting their grimy hands on a new Ford Focus RS sleeping with a grin in their faces like a little boy.
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