2007 Focus RS. Is it going to be built?

[gwatson]

Guys,

Test drove a ST3 a few months back. Really liked it except for this very high seating position and it just didn't feel like 220bhp, my 235bhp BMW Z4 feels soooooooooo much quicker.

Anyway, are Ford really going to release a 300bhp 4x4 Focus RS next year... can't find anything definite on the web... would love to buy one of these, in fact it's probably stick my name down for one.

Graeme

[Witchfinder]

Official line is that the project has been canned, although apparently Team RS would like to finish it off at some point in the future. I'd not expect to see it for at least 2 or 3 years, if at all.

And if your 235 BHP Z4 feels quicker, I suspect that a 340 BHP Wolf Racing conversion might feel quicker still

Edited by Witchfinder on Thursday 26th October 17:25

[gwatson]

ah.. that's a shame.

I already have an order in for a ESS Twin Screw supercharger... so I am sure that will sort the Z4 out

[zippy144]

Hi

I very much dout that we will ever see a New Rs. Ford lost soo much money building the last one!!!!
Ford are more interested in drop top models that only hairdressers and possers will buy. Ford have complety lost the plot when it comes to Performance road Cars.

The main problem is do not bulid anything in house, that is why they lost soo much money on the last RS. Outside contracts always cost alot more.. They seem quite happy to drop a Volvo drivetrain in a Focus and say " Look we have a new and exciting model" A boring rip off more like!!!

Sorry i don't like to rant that often!!!!

Regards

Tom aka Zippy

[Witchfinder]

zippy144 said:

I very much dout that we will ever see a New Rs. Ford lost soo much money building the last one!!!!

You can't measure the success of the last Focus RS in sales vs. cost. It's a halo model that raises the profile of the model range and of the company. I respect Ford as a manufacturer more for making the FRS.

zippy144 said:

Ford have complety lost the plot when it comes to Performance road Cars.

I agree with you (a little bit) when it comes to Ford Europe (who make a profit, by the way). But don't dismiss the Mustang or the GT. And the Focus ST is a tidy car with lots of potential (let's not forget it should readily accept a four-wheel-drive system).

Plus the 2007 Mondeo will have the 225 BHP 5-pot right from the start - who knows what they'll stick in the next Mondeo ST. Rumours have it that it'll be a 250 BHP turbocharged straight six. Now I know Ford should hang their heads in shame at 250 BHP from a 3.2 litre turbo engine, but I imagine that it'll have potential for MUCh more.

Edited by Witchfinder on Thursday 26th October 22:28

[trevorw]

Witchfinder said:

Plus the 2007 Mondeo will have the 225 BHP 5-pot right from the start - who knows what they'll stick in the next Mondeo ST. That juicy Ford/Yamaha V8 with a bit of luck! It's based on the Duratec V6 from the current ST220...

3.2 Straight Six Turbocharged, producing 250Bhp according to AutoExpress. A tad disapointing maybe?

Edited by trevorw on Thursday 26th October 22:27

[Witchfinder]

trevorw said:

3.2 Straight Six Turbocharged, producing 250Bhp according to AutoExpress. A tad disapointing maybe?

If it's front-drive, yes. If it's four-wheel drive-then I expect 300 BHP+ is only a chip away.

[NDT]

zippy144 said:

Hi

The main problem is do not bulid anything in house, that is why they lost soo much money on the last RS. Outside contracts always cost alot more..
Tom aka Zippy

In real terms outside contracts often cost less than Ford doing it in-house.
They're faster and more flexible.
There are masses of reasons why Ford supposedly lost money - mainly around trying to deliver a programme outside the normal engineering processes, then bringing it back within them, driving up costs.
Incidentally, if Team RS try to 'just finish off' the next RS they'll fall into all the same traps. They wouldn't be allowed to do this again.