Official Ford Focus RS & RS500 Thread
- Thread starter coolmazda5
- Start date
Turn your Focus RS into an RS500 for 2,195
[autoexpress]
Tuner Mountune offers RS500 upgrade kit for all Focus RS owners.
Just 101 examples of the storming special edition Focus RS500 will be built. But if you arent one of the lucky ones selected to buy the ultimate fast Ford, tuner Mountune has a solution - its MP350 upgrade kit.
The Essex-based firm developed the official RS500 upgrade kit for Ford that ups the power of the standard RSs 2.5-litre five-cylinder unit from 301bhp to 345bhp. And now the firm has made the modifications available for those who want the ultimate Focus RS, but arent too keen on the matt black paint.
The modifications consist of five key components; a new intercooler, a high-flow exhaust downpipe, a redesigned airbox, uprated fuel delivery module and recalibrated ECU. Owners will need to have the car modified either by Mountune directly, or through seven selected Ford dealerships around the country. The kit will be made available in other European markets later in the year.
The cost of the conversion is 2,195 including labour and can be pre-ordered now for fitting at Moutunes Essex workshop. And because Ford approved the upgrades, they dont affect the manufacturers warranty and shouldnt unduly affect insurance premiums either.
The Essex-based firm developed the official RS500 upgrade kit for Ford that ups the power of the standard RSs 2.5-litre five-cylinder unit from 301bhp to 345bhp. And now the firm has made the modifications available for those who want the ultimate Focus RS, but arent too keen on the matt black paint.
The modifications consist of five key components; a new intercooler, a high-flow exhaust downpipe, a redesigned airbox, uprated fuel delivery module and recalibrated ECU. Owners will need to have the car modified either by Mountune directly, or through seven selected Ford dealerships around the country. The kit will be made available in other European markets later in the year.
The cost of the conversion is 2,195 including labour and can be pre-ordered now for fitting at Moutunes Essex workshop. And because Ford approved the upgrades, they dont affect the manufacturers warranty and shouldnt unduly affect insurance premiums either.
- :
- 2008 Mazda5 5MT Sport w/ Popular Package
That thing is so damn sick it hurts, serious...
chowhoundMSP
Member
The new RS is one of those cars, that the more I see, the more I like the styling.
Way to go, Ford!
Way to go, Ford!
With the Focus RS500 sold out in UK, Ford creates official upgrade kit for RS
Ford committed an outright insult to humanity when it only produced 101 examples of the Focus RS500. Even at over $54,000 at current conversion rates, the cars sold out licked-split in the UK, leaving plenty of diehard Blue Oval fans without the hottest of the company's hatches. In an attempt to right that wrong, Ford has released an upgrade kit that will give the standard 305 horsepower RS the teeth it needs to run with the big-daddy RS500.
The engineers at Ford have managed to pull an extra 45 horsepower from the turbo I5 by swapping out the stock intercooler and air box for trick Ford Racing pieces, bolting on a higher volume fuel pump and remapping the stock ECU. The whole kit will set you back around $3,000, which means you could be in an RS500 clone for nearly $10k less than what the real deal would cost you.
[autoblog]
Ford committed an outright insult to humanity when it only produced 101 examples of the Focus RS500. Even at over $54,000 at current conversion rates, the cars sold out licked-split in the UK, leaving plenty of diehard Blue Oval fans without the hottest of the company's hatches. In an attempt to right that wrong, Ford has released an upgrade kit that will give the standard 305 horsepower RS the teeth it needs to run with the big-daddy RS500.
The engineers at Ford have managed to pull an extra 45 horsepower from the turbo I5 by swapping out the stock intercooler and air box for trick Ford Racing pieces, bolting on a higher volume fuel pump and remapping the stock ECU. The whole kit will set you back around $3,000, which means you could be in an RS500 clone for nearly $10k less than what the real deal would cost you.
[autoblog]
chowhoundMSP
Member
now when are they gonna announce it for the US market?
- :
- 2008 Mazda5 5MT Sport w/ Popular Package
Is going to take some time, if the RS ever makes it here (or the ST at least), it will have to be based on the new global Focus model, not this one
Test Drive: Ford Focus RS500
Matt black paint, 345bhp and a limited run of 500 units - the most hardcore hot-hatch on the market just got even meaner and we're first to drive it.
Fords most iconic badge is back with a vengeance! First seen on the Sierra Cosworth that dominated saloon car racing back in the Eighties, the RS500 name has been resurrected and this time it marks out the meanest-looking and most powerful Focus RS to date.
Made to mark the end of the standard RSs production run, power from the already savage 2.5-litre turbocharged engine been cranked up from 300bhp to a colossal 345bhp. As the badge suggests only 500 examples will be sold, split between 20 countries, with just 101 cars allocated to the UK.
If the standard cars swollen arches and feast of slashes and vents were a slap in the face, the RS500s matt black bodywork and matching 19-inch alloys are a knockout punch. All 500 cars are painted in metallic Panther Black, before being wrapped in a stealth-like coating which doubles up as protection against stone chips and scratches.
On the inside unique trim on the centre console, embossed with the RS logo, and a plaque registering your cars place in the production run give a sense of occasion to whats essentially a standard Focus interior. But as any Fast Ford fan will tell you, its what lies underneath that counts.
A larger intercooler, wider air filter and a freer flowing exhaust pipe, as well as an uprated fuel pump and an ECU tweak are all thats required to liberate an extra 15 per cent horsepower, and trim the 0-62mph sprint from 5.9 to 5.6 seconds.
At low revs it feels just as smooth and flexible as the standard RS, but once the counter sweeps past 2.5000rpm the engine really hits its stride. The induction and exhaust noise engulf the cabin, while it pops and bangs like a firework when you lift off the throttle.
Straight line acceleration is noticeably more frantic, but the punchy power delivery is entirely familiar from the standard car. The good news is that the extra shove hasnt corrupted the handling. Despite all that power being sent to the front wheels, theres remarkably little torque steer on smooth roads, while the front differential help the car claw its way out of bends and find more grip than you ever thought possible in a front-wheel drive hatch.
Thats the good news, now for the bad. Every RS500 has already been sold, even before a single customer has had a chance to drive one a fact that speaks volumes about the RS500s status as a future classic. But dont despair, if you already own a Focus RS, Fords official tuning partner Mountune is offering the full suite of RS500 engine upgrades for 2,195 including fitting. All thats left then is to apply a matt finish and a DIY RS500 is yours.
Made to mark the end of the standard RSs production run, power from the already savage 2.5-litre turbocharged engine been cranked up from 300bhp to a colossal 345bhp. As the badge suggests only 500 examples will be sold, split between 20 countries, with just 101 cars allocated to the UK.
If the standard cars swollen arches and feast of slashes and vents were a slap in the face, the RS500s matt black bodywork and matching 19-inch alloys are a knockout punch. All 500 cars are painted in metallic Panther Black, before being wrapped in a stealth-like coating which doubles up as protection against stone chips and scratches.
On the inside unique trim on the centre console, embossed with the RS logo, and a plaque registering your cars place in the production run give a sense of occasion to whats essentially a standard Focus interior. But as any Fast Ford fan will tell you, its what lies underneath that counts.
A larger intercooler, wider air filter and a freer flowing exhaust pipe, as well as an uprated fuel pump and an ECU tweak are all thats required to liberate an extra 15 per cent horsepower, and trim the 0-62mph sprint from 5.9 to 5.6 seconds.
At low revs it feels just as smooth and flexible as the standard RS, but once the counter sweeps past 2.5000rpm the engine really hits its stride. The induction and exhaust noise engulf the cabin, while it pops and bangs like a firework when you lift off the throttle.
Straight line acceleration is noticeably more frantic, but the punchy power delivery is entirely familiar from the standard car. The good news is that the extra shove hasnt corrupted the handling. Despite all that power being sent to the front wheels, theres remarkably little torque steer on smooth roads, while the front differential help the car claw its way out of bends and find more grip than you ever thought possible in a front-wheel drive hatch.
Thats the good news, now for the bad. Every RS500 has already been sold, even before a single customer has had a chance to drive one a fact that speaks volumes about the RS500s status as a future classic. But dont despair, if you already own a Focus RS, Fords official tuning partner Mountune is offering the full suite of RS500 engine upgrades for 2,195 including fitting. All thats left then is to apply a matt finish and a DIY RS500 is yours.
FIRST OPINION
AT A GLANCE
[autoexpress]
- Just when you thought the 300bhp Focus RS was the pinnacle of hot-hatch lunacy, Ford has gone one better. Rather than looking like an aftermarket addition the matt paint job compliments the aggressive looks perfectly, while the engine punches harder and sounds even better than the standard car. Whats more the extra 45bhp hasnt corrupted the RSs polished handling. In fact the only downside to the most hardcore hatch on the market is that its already sold out.
AT A GLANCE
- Price: 35,500
- Engine: 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo
- Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
- Power: 345bhp
- Torque: 460Nm
- 0-62mph: 5.6 seconds
- Top speed: 165mph
- Economy: 28.5mpg
- CO2: 235g/km
- Equipment: Climate control, RevoKnuckle suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, leather Recaro seats, climate control, heated windscreen, rear parking sensors, auto headlights and wipers
- On sale: Now (sold out)
[autoexpress]
EVO Ford Focus RS500 review
Canthe Ford Focus RS500 cope with 345bhp through the front wheels? Ollie Marriage holds on tight.
What is it?<?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /><O
itxtvisited="1"></O>
A Focus RS with added attitude if such a thing is possible when the standard RS is perhaps the most pumped hot hatch of all time. Black wheels and matt black paint (its actually a film applied to standard black paint) do make it a terrifically mean looking thing. Of the 500 being produced, only 101 are coming to the UK, each priced at 35,750 which as we shall see, is rather academic.
Technical highlights?<O itxtvisited="1"></O>
Since the only thing thats been altered is the engine, thats the highlight. The block and head have been left well alone, Ford simply adding a larger intercooler, air filter box and bigger bore exhaust downpipe to allow the engine to inhale more air, more quickly and then get rid of it more efficiently. Theres also an uprated fuel pump to make sure the air has enough petrol for the combustion process and the ECU has also been tweaked. The aim is better mid- to high-rev power delivery. With an extra 44bhp and 14lb ft over the standard RS, Ford claims the 0-60mph tumbles by half a second to 5.4sec.
Whats it like to drive?<O itxtvisited="1"></O>
The trouble for Ford is that the standard RS is a pretty bonkers thing and simply modifying the engine hasnt fundamentally changed the driving experience, just given the front wheels even more work to do.
At low engine speeds the added power is largely undetectable, although the exhaust seems to burp even more readily when you lift off. But once the rev needle swings past 3500rpm youre aware of extra pressure in your back, the engine feeling even more frantic in the way it piles on revs. Theres also a tad more volume from the exhaust and a greater repertoire of pops, bangs and whooshes. Its highly entertaining and downright rapid.
As long as its dry the Focus is devastating. Yes, the wheel does tug, but its manageable (unless youre in second and deliberately thuggish with the throttle), the diff doing a great job of getting the lions share of the 339lb ft to the floor. But in the wet the same isnt true and the RS500 will happily, readily break traction in third. However, work at it and learn it and the Focus is able to make enormously rapid progress.
<O itxtvisited="1"></O>
Its never dull, not for a second, but neither is it particularly polished and it remains a hard car to drive smoothly. But for all that no hot hatch is as much of a blast to drive, and in the final analysis, thats what matters.
How does it compare?<O itxtvisited="1"></O>
The trouble is you get all this ability in the RS500s closest rival, er, the standard Focus RS. Which, if you want, you can upgrade with this exact package of engine mods for 1995. Add it to a new car and youd still get change from 30,000, which means Ford is charging over 5000 for the matt paint and the fact the RS500 is a limited edition. A bit cheeky if you ask us.
<O itxtvisited="1"></O>
Of course, you dont have to go down the Mountune route. Weve driven a 435 Graham Goode Racing Focus RS with an ECU tweak and 340bhp and very good it is, too. If youve got 35,000 and a burning urge to blow it on hot hatch, then you can choose two other wildly different avenues. Go hard and track down a Honda Mugen Civic, or go soft and investigate a VW Golf R.
Anything else I need to know?<O itxtvisited="1"></O>
You cant have one. It might cost 7,000 more than the standard RS, but all 101 British cars are already sold.
<O itxtvisited="1">[autoexpress]</O>
Canthe Ford Focus RS500 cope with 345bhp through the front wheels? Ollie Marriage holds on tight.
What is it?<?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /><O
itxtvisited="1"></O>A Focus RS with added attitude if such a thing is possible when the standard RS is perhaps the most pumped hot hatch of all time. Black wheels and matt black paint (its actually a film applied to standard black paint) do make it a terrifically mean looking thing. Of the 500 being produced, only 101 are coming to the UK, each priced at 35,750 which as we shall see, is rather academic.
Technical highlights?<O
itxtvisited="1"></O>Since the only thing thats been altered is the engine, thats the highlight. The block and head have been left well alone, Ford simply adding a larger intercooler, air filter box and bigger bore exhaust downpipe to allow the engine to inhale more air, more quickly and then get rid of it more efficiently. Theres also an uprated fuel pump to make sure the air has enough petrol for the combustion process and the ECU has also been tweaked. The aim is better mid- to high-rev power delivery. With an extra 44bhp and 14lb ft over the standard RS, Ford claims the 0-60mph tumbles by half a second to 5.4sec.
Whats it like to drive?<O
itxtvisited="1"></O>The trouble for Ford is that the standard RS is a pretty bonkers thing and simply modifying the engine hasnt fundamentally changed the driving experience, just given the front wheels even more work to do.
At low engine speeds the added power is largely undetectable, although the exhaust seems to burp even more readily when you lift off. But once the rev needle swings past 3500rpm youre aware of extra pressure in your back, the engine feeling even more frantic in the way it piles on revs. Theres also a tad more volume from the exhaust and a greater repertoire of pops, bangs and whooshes. Its highly entertaining and downright rapid.
As long as its dry the Focus is devastating. Yes, the wheel does tug, but its manageable (unless youre in second and deliberately thuggish with the throttle), the diff doing a great job of getting the lions share of the 339lb ft to the floor. But in the wet the same isnt true and the RS500 will happily, readily break traction in third. However, work at it and learn it and the Focus is able to make enormously rapid progress.
<O
itxtvisited="1"></O>Its never dull, not for a second, but neither is it particularly polished and it remains a hard car to drive smoothly. But for all that no hot hatch is as much of a blast to drive, and in the final analysis, thats what matters.
How does it compare?<O
itxtvisited="1"></O>The trouble is you get all this ability in the RS500s closest rival, er, the standard Focus RS. Which, if you want, you can upgrade with this exact package of engine mods for 1995. Add it to a new car and youd still get change from 30,000, which means Ford is charging over 5000 for the matt paint and the fact the RS500 is a limited edition. A bit cheeky if you ask us.
<O
itxtvisited="1"></O> Of course, you dont have to go down the Mountune route. Weve driven a 435 Graham Goode Racing Focus RS with an ECU tweak and 340bhp and very good it is, too. If youve got 35,000 and a burning urge to blow it on hot hatch, then you can choose two other wildly different avenues. Go hard and track down a Honda Mugen Civic, or go soft and investigate a VW Golf R.
Anything else I need to know?<O
itxtvisited="1"></O>You cant have one. It might cost 7,000 more than the standard RS, but all 101 British cars are already sold.
<O
itxtvisited="1">[autoexpress]</O>Ford of France releases 5 special edition Focus RS Le Mans editions
Across the pond, Ford is continuing to roll out a few tricks to keep the Focus RS tasty before its demise later this year. As such, it's unveiled five special edition models designed to commemorate its winning history at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Each of the hatches wears a unique paint scheme and wheel combo designed to invoke the liveries of storied Blue Oval racers of yore. It's easy to spot the blue and orange of the Gulf liveried GT 40 racers those cars famously took the checkers in '68 and '69 but more casual fans may not recognize some of the less imitated designs.
The black and silver of the '66 Mark II, red and white of the '67 Mark IV and the blue and white of the '72 RS 2600 are all replicated on one of the hottest hatches to roll out of Ford Europe in a long while. Each carries special interior treatments, including Recaro racing buckets that have been stitched to match the exterior paint.
Press Release:
FOCUS RS LE MANS CLASSIC: A COLLECTION OF 5 UNIQUE EXAMPLES CREATED TO PAY TRIBUTE TO LEGENDARY FORD LE MANS RACERS
Saint-Germain-en-Laye, 21 June 2010 - Ecurie Ford France, one of the partners of the popular
Le Mans Classic event which takes place between July 9th and 11th, has prepared a collection of just five Focus RS cars in unique colour schemes, each paying tribute to the Ford cars which made
'blue oval' history at the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Each of the five Focus RS Le Mans Classic vehicles will be finished in the colours of one of the Ford cars which made 24 Hours history for Ford. During the event itself, they will even carry the race number of the cars to which they're paying tribute:
* Black with silver stripes: a reference to the Ford Mk II, which was victorious in 1966.
* Red with white stripes: recalling the Mk IV which won in 1967.
* White with a thin blue centre stripe surrounded by a red border: echoing the decoration of the beautiful Ford Mk IIB, entered by Ford France in the 1967 Le Mans 24-hours.
* Two-tone sky blue and orange: A modern take on the GT40s which dominated Le Mans in 1968 and 1969.
* Two-tone white and blue: representing the livery of the Capri RS 2600 which took the Touring category in 1972.
All five exclusive Focus RS vehicles also have customised interiors. The Recaro seats are upholstered in leather and diamond-quilted alcantara, front and back, with stitching that matches the bodywork. The gearshift gaiter, hand brake handle and central arm-rest are upholstered in real leather, and a leather safety belt guide has been added to the front seats.
Each of the five cars will carry a personalised numbered plaque on the dashboard confirming its exclusivity as part of the collection.
The five cars will be seen in action at the 2010 Le Mans Classic in July, and will be driven on a number of laps of the full track at the start of a number of the different 'grid' races reserved for cars of a particular era, with Ford-invited special guests and VIPs at the wheel.
The Focus RS Le Mans Classic units will be joined on the track by the limited edition Ford Focus RS500, whose futuristic matt black livery will be an equally eye-catching addition to the palette of colours which have fired the imaginations of countless fans of Ford and the greatest endurance race in the world.
Only Five For Sale
Once the fifth Le Mans Classic event is over, these five unique Focus RS Le Mans Classic vehicles will be put up for sale, and will be offered with exclusive accessories. Fitted with either RS(1) or RS Technology(2) packs, they will be supplied with a Le Mans Classic watch - a 3-dial automatic chronograph with large date display and sapphire background of which only 600 are to be produced.
The 5 cars to which the Ford Focus RS Le Mans Classic is paying tribute:
The Ford Mk II (victorious in 1966): on the 18th of June 1966, Henry Ford II himself gave the starting signal for the 24th Le Mans 24 Hours. He let loose a pack of fifty-five vehicles led out by two of the eight Mk IIs entered by the manufacturer plus six GT40s, including one belonging to Ford France which was driven by Guy Ligier and the American Bob Grossman. The duel with Ferrari was at its peak for this "race of the century". Unbeaten since 1960, the Italian marque was the queen of Le Mans. However, this time it was the Americans who dominated, pulling off a spectacular triple! For the first time ever, the 200km/h average speed barrier was broken at
Le Mans.
The Ford Mk IV (winner in 1967): Wanting revenge, Ferrari sent its formidable 330 P4s to challenge the Mk IVs in a face-to-face battle without mercy. However, it was all in vain. The unstoppable red, white-trimmed Mk IV, piloted by Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt, wiped the floor with Lodovico Scarfiotti and Mike Parkes' P4. Unforgettable new pages in the history of motor sport were being written before everyone's eyes. The epic tale of the Mk IIs and Mk IVs concluded with the spectacular distance (5,232.9 km) and average speed (218 km/h!) records set by Ford that year.
The Ford GT40 (victorious in 1968 and 1969): Even though Ford as a manufacturer was not directly involved, John Wyer's JWA team benefitted from Gulf Oil sponsorship and the blessing of Ford Dearborn. For their first outing in 1968, the GT40s faced some keen and challenging competition from Porsche and Alfa Romeo. Driven by Pedro Rodriguez and Lucien Bianchi, the GT40 clearly dominated the field ahead of a Porsche 907 and three Alfa Romeo 33/2s. This third consecutive Ford victory was the first for a genuine GT40.
In 1969, competition was as intense and varied as ever: Porsche was in attendance with its 908s and its new 917s, Matra introduced its 630/650s and Ferrari was back again with its 312 Ps. Nevertheless, once again the GT40 beat them all, sweeping the boards at the end of an epic duel. Jacky Ickx raced across the finish line leaving the German Hans Hermann 120 metres behind and red faced at the wheel of his Porsche. The GT40 drove away with Ford's fourth consecutive victory at Le Mans!
Capri RS 2600 (1st in the Special Touring category in 1972): Tenth overall, the Capri RS 2600, driven by Gerry Birrel and Claude Bourgoignie, dominated its category during the 1972 Le Mans 24 Hours. Manufactured between 1969 and 1986, the Ford Capri enjoyed a great sporting career and was one of the great leaders of the European Touring Car Championships and the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. It also shone in the Production Cars Championship of France and the famous British Touring Car Championship. Many Formula 1 drivers distinguished themselves at the wheel of a Capri, including Jochen Mass, Hans Stuck and the Tyrrell Racing duo of Jackie Stewart and Franois Cevert during the 6 Hours of Paul Ricard Circuit organised in 1972. The rally version of the Capri also appeared in the colours of Ecurie Ford France with internationally renowned drivers such as Jean-Franois Piot, Guy Chasseuil, Jean Vinatier and Jean-Claude Gamet at the wheel.
Ford Mk II Ecurie Ford France (1967): Jo Schlesser teamed up with his friend Guy Ligier on only one occasion at Le Mans. That was in 1967, in a magnificent white Ford Mk II powered by a seven litre V8 engine. An early track exit crushed their hopes in the 13th hour. However, driving the same car, they won the last ever 12 Hours of Reims, the other former great French endurance race. Jo Schlesser, a driver with an incredibly eclectic talent, was killed during the 1968 French Grand Prix. He was one of Ecurie Ford France's most emblematic drivers, racing on track circuits, in rallies and in a famous hill climbing race of the time, the Mont-Ventoux.
[autoblog]
Across the pond, Ford is continuing to roll out a few tricks to keep the Focus RS tasty before its demise later this year. As such, it's unveiled five special edition models designed to commemorate its winning history at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Each of the hatches wears a unique paint scheme and wheel combo designed to invoke the liveries of storied Blue Oval racers of yore. It's easy to spot the blue and orange of the Gulf liveried GT 40 racers those cars famously took the checkers in '68 and '69 but more casual fans may not recognize some of the less imitated designs.
The black and silver of the '66 Mark II, red and white of the '67 Mark IV and the blue and white of the '72 RS 2600 are all replicated on one of the hottest hatches to roll out of Ford Europe in a long while. Each carries special interior treatments, including Recaro racing buckets that have been stitched to match the exterior paint.
Press Release:
FOCUS RS LE MANS CLASSIC: A COLLECTION OF 5 UNIQUE EXAMPLES CREATED TO PAY TRIBUTE TO LEGENDARY FORD LE MANS RACERS
Saint-Germain-en-Laye, 21 June 2010 - Ecurie Ford France, one of the partners of the popular
Le Mans Classic event which takes place between July 9th and 11th, has prepared a collection of just five Focus RS cars in unique colour schemes, each paying tribute to the Ford cars which made
'blue oval' history at the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Each of the five Focus RS Le Mans Classic vehicles will be finished in the colours of one of the Ford cars which made 24 Hours history for Ford. During the event itself, they will even carry the race number of the cars to which they're paying tribute:
* Black with silver stripes: a reference to the Ford Mk II, which was victorious in 1966.
* Red with white stripes: recalling the Mk IV which won in 1967.
* White with a thin blue centre stripe surrounded by a red border: echoing the decoration of the beautiful Ford Mk IIB, entered by Ford France in the 1967 Le Mans 24-hours.
* Two-tone sky blue and orange: A modern take on the GT40s which dominated Le Mans in 1968 and 1969.
* Two-tone white and blue: representing the livery of the Capri RS 2600 which took the Touring category in 1972.
All five exclusive Focus RS vehicles also have customised interiors. The Recaro seats are upholstered in leather and diamond-quilted alcantara, front and back, with stitching that matches the bodywork. The gearshift gaiter, hand brake handle and central arm-rest are upholstered in real leather, and a leather safety belt guide has been added to the front seats.
Each of the five cars will carry a personalised numbered plaque on the dashboard confirming its exclusivity as part of the collection.
The five cars will be seen in action at the 2010 Le Mans Classic in July, and will be driven on a number of laps of the full track at the start of a number of the different 'grid' races reserved for cars of a particular era, with Ford-invited special guests and VIPs at the wheel.
The Focus RS Le Mans Classic units will be joined on the track by the limited edition Ford Focus RS500, whose futuristic matt black livery will be an equally eye-catching addition to the palette of colours which have fired the imaginations of countless fans of Ford and the greatest endurance race in the world.
Only Five For Sale
Once the fifth Le Mans Classic event is over, these five unique Focus RS Le Mans Classic vehicles will be put up for sale, and will be offered with exclusive accessories. Fitted with either RS(1) or RS Technology(2) packs, they will be supplied with a Le Mans Classic watch - a 3-dial automatic chronograph with large date display and sapphire background of which only 600 are to be produced.
The 5 cars to which the Ford Focus RS Le Mans Classic is paying tribute:
The Ford Mk II (victorious in 1966): on the 18th of June 1966, Henry Ford II himself gave the starting signal for the 24th Le Mans 24 Hours. He let loose a pack of fifty-five vehicles led out by two of the eight Mk IIs entered by the manufacturer plus six GT40s, including one belonging to Ford France which was driven by Guy Ligier and the American Bob Grossman. The duel with Ferrari was at its peak for this "race of the century". Unbeaten since 1960, the Italian marque was the queen of Le Mans. However, this time it was the Americans who dominated, pulling off a spectacular triple! For the first time ever, the 200km/h average speed barrier was broken at
Le Mans.
The Ford Mk IV (winner in 1967): Wanting revenge, Ferrari sent its formidable 330 P4s to challenge the Mk IVs in a face-to-face battle without mercy. However, it was all in vain. The unstoppable red, white-trimmed Mk IV, piloted by Dan Gurney and A.J. Foyt, wiped the floor with Lodovico Scarfiotti and Mike Parkes' P4. Unforgettable new pages in the history of motor sport were being written before everyone's eyes. The epic tale of the Mk IIs and Mk IVs concluded with the spectacular distance (5,232.9 km) and average speed (218 km/h!) records set by Ford that year.
The Ford GT40 (victorious in 1968 and 1969): Even though Ford as a manufacturer was not directly involved, John Wyer's JWA team benefitted from Gulf Oil sponsorship and the blessing of Ford Dearborn. For their first outing in 1968, the GT40s faced some keen and challenging competition from Porsche and Alfa Romeo. Driven by Pedro Rodriguez and Lucien Bianchi, the GT40 clearly dominated the field ahead of a Porsche 907 and three Alfa Romeo 33/2s. This third consecutive Ford victory was the first for a genuine GT40.
In 1969, competition was as intense and varied as ever: Porsche was in attendance with its 908s and its new 917s, Matra introduced its 630/650s and Ferrari was back again with its 312 Ps. Nevertheless, once again the GT40 beat them all, sweeping the boards at the end of an epic duel. Jacky Ickx raced across the finish line leaving the German Hans Hermann 120 metres behind and red faced at the wheel of his Porsche. The GT40 drove away with Ford's fourth consecutive victory at Le Mans!
Capri RS 2600 (1st in the Special Touring category in 1972): Tenth overall, the Capri RS 2600, driven by Gerry Birrel and Claude Bourgoignie, dominated its category during the 1972 Le Mans 24 Hours. Manufactured between 1969 and 1986, the Ford Capri enjoyed a great sporting career and was one of the great leaders of the European Touring Car Championships and the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. It also shone in the Production Cars Championship of France and the famous British Touring Car Championship. Many Formula 1 drivers distinguished themselves at the wheel of a Capri, including Jochen Mass, Hans Stuck and the Tyrrell Racing duo of Jackie Stewart and Franois Cevert during the 6 Hours of Paul Ricard Circuit organised in 1972. The rally version of the Capri also appeared in the colours of Ecurie Ford France with internationally renowned drivers such as Jean-Franois Piot, Guy Chasseuil, Jean Vinatier and Jean-Claude Gamet at the wheel.
Ford Mk II Ecurie Ford France (1967): Jo Schlesser teamed up with his friend Guy Ligier on only one occasion at Le Mans. That was in 1967, in a magnificent white Ford Mk II powered by a seven litre V8 engine. An early track exit crushed their hopes in the 13th hour. However, driving the same car, they won the last ever 12 Hours of Reims, the other former great French endurance race. Jo Schlesser, a driver with an incredibly eclectic talent, was killed during the 1968 French Grand Prix. He was one of Ecurie Ford France's most emblematic drivers, racing on track circuits, in rallies and in a famous hill climbing race of the time, the Mont-Ventoux.
[autoblog]
such a gorgeous carBBR announces 400bhp Focus RS
[autoexpress]
BBR tuners Focus RS400 is most powerful RS yet.
Meet the most powerful Focus RS yet! BBR tuners has just released a Phase 4 upgrade kit which boosts power to 400bhp thats an increase of 99bhp over the standard RS and 55bhp over the storming, limited edition RS500.
With an ECU upgrade and new intercooler, exhaust system, fuel injectors and turbocharger the RS400 should accelerate from 0-62mph in around 5.3 seconds and on to a top speed close to 170mph.
Buyers hoping to own the fastest ever Focus will have to shell out an extra 4,490 including equipment and fitting. Alternatively, Phase 1 2 and 3 upgrades are priced at 595, 1,440, 2,480 respectively and range in power from 340bhp to 380bhp.
All models can be fitted with BBR-developed springs for 495 that, according to BBR, will improve ride comfort. A set of 1,095 Koni adjustable dampers is also available.
With an ECU upgrade and new intercooler, exhaust system, fuel injectors and turbocharger the RS400 should accelerate from 0-62mph in around 5.3 seconds and on to a top speed close to 170mph.
Buyers hoping to own the fastest ever Focus will have to shell out an extra 4,490 including equipment and fitting. Alternatively, Phase 1 2 and 3 upgrades are priced at 595, 1,440, 2,480 respectively and range in power from 340bhp to 380bhp.
All models can be fitted with BBR-developed springs for 495 that, according to BBR, will improve ride comfort. A set of 1,095 Koni adjustable dampers is also available.
[autoexpress]
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- 2008 Mazda5 5MT Sport w/ Popular Package
^^ I wonder how many more horsies you can push to a FWD car before it hits irrelevance 
Sexy nonetheless
Sexy nonetheless
