motor

HeilSvenska · 12-17-2007, 02:09 PM

Finally! It'll give STIs and Evos some outside competition.

From Ford Press!

FORD CONFIRMS NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE FOCUS RS IS ON THE WAY

Cologne, December 17, 2007 – Ford of Europe is confirming its plan to deliver an exciting all-new, high performance Focus RS model for launch in 2009. A design image released by the company today hints at the exciting direction the new model is taking.

The new Focus RS will be based on the dynamic new Focus ST. It will be developed by Ford Team RS, a specialist team led by Jost Capito who, as previously announced, is being appointed to the new role as Vehicle Line Director for Ford of Europe Performance Vehicles from January 1, 2008.

"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. "With the Fiesta and Focus ST models, Jost and his team have proved already that they can deliver exciting and practical performance road cars. The success of these models, combined with Jost's experience in motorsport and Ford of Europe's positive business results, mean that we now have a credible business case for a no-compromise Focus RS roadcar for more enthusiastic drivers."

The basic concept for a new Focus RS has been under development within Ford Team RS under Capito's leadership for some months already. Now that the programme has been given the 'green light', Capito and his team will be concentrating fully on this programme.

"We have reviewed our technical options and worked closely with the Design team on how the car might look, and I'm very excited by the results," said Jost Capito, "Now with the programme going ahead, the hard work really starts as the small team working on the project takes the car from prototype to production."

Stay Tuned
Ford of Europe will not reveal any of the technical details of the new Focus RS until closer to launch in 2009. 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," Capito added. "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."

"We're not ready to confirm any of the technical details of the new Focus RS yet - Jost and his team have a lot to do to finalise the exact specification and styling," said Fleming. "But make no mistake, I can assure you that ultimately, the car we plan to launch will be worthy of wearing the coveted Ford RS badge."

nthfinity · 12-17-2007, 02:12 PM

While I'm sure it will be good.... PLEASE FORD, bring it to the USA, Please FORD, AWD...

Daggernite · 12-17-2007, 02:43 PM

This is the best news ever as far as im concerned. With subaru turning out awful looking cars, this will take its place. I hope they make a all round sorted car. Then again, I dont think Id ever buy another ford as there crap when it comes to customer service. But I dont know if I could resist a new RS.

pilotvtm · 12-17-2007, 02:46 PM

nice job, ford..

nthfinity · 12-17-2007, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by Daggernite

This is the best news ever as far as im concerned. With subaru turning out awful looking cars, this will take its place. I hope they make a all round sorted car. Then again, I dont think Id ever buy another ford as there crap when it comes to customer service. But I dont know if I could resist a new RS.

There are some interesting numbers for europe vs. US for the same exact car in terms of customer satisfaction, TGW, and R1000's... That said, customer service can really turn people off of a car... for a while now, Mercedes have been among the lowest scores.

rave426 · 12-17-2007, 02:50 PM

While I would not get the new STI (too ugly) or the new EvoX (just dont like it)........I would get at RS FOCUS!!!

WHY can we have it!!!!!!! It would be the perfect time for the US to have it.........but we wont......because it would hurt Mustang sales.....$hit

HeilSvenska · 12-17-2007, 02:53 PM

Nah. People who'd want RSs don't want Mustangs. People who want Mustangs don't want hatchbacks. You can always buy one and ship it over.

It should comply with all the US regulations, with Volvo bits and all.

Daggernite · 12-17-2007, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by nthfinity

There are some interesting numbers for europe vs. US for the same exact car in terms of customer satisfaction, TGW, and R1000's... That said, customer service can really turn people off of a car... for a while now, Mercedes have been among the lowest scores.

All I know is that after taking my ST to the dealer to get the steering fixed for the 3rd time (first 2 times did not fix the problem) they told me I was at fault because there was a chunk of tire and alloy missing. This was just a complete lie. I still payed them £90 to sort it, but its still not right.

Also I went to buy a focus ST and the sales women laughed at me. I just hate ford, but I love the cars make. A RS would make me very happy.

HeilSvenska · 12-17-2007, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by Daggernite

All I know is that after taking my ST to the dealer to get the steering fixed for the 3rd time (first 2 times did not fix the problem) they told me I was at fault because there was a chunk of tire and alloy missing. This was just a complete lie. I still payed them £90 to sort it, but its still not right.

Also I went to buy a focus ST and the sales women laughed at me. I just hate ford, but I love the cars make. A RS would make me very happy.

Wow. I didn't know Ford UK had bad dealerships. I certainly wouldn't know it from the local Ford dealer. I hope it does something about that since Ford Europe makes some very good cars.

Daggernite · 12-17-2007, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by HeilSvenska

Wow. I didn't know Ford UK had bad dealerships. I certainly wouldn't know it from the local Ford dealer. I hope it does something about that since Ford Europe makes some very good cars.

Well everyone I seem to tell just usually say "well it is Ford" the sales man at Honda is nothing unusual, but i guess he would say that. But truth is, when my st was working proper, Specs aside, it was brilliant, and thats what i look for in a car the most. its dynamic abillity, and if it fun to drive.

Im know theRS will be great, and ill sure be tempted, but is'll deffo go to a diffrent dealer if i did get one.

So do you think all these spy shots from early on in year of the RS at the nurburg still mean something? or wasthat RS scraped? and is it a totally new design?

HeilSvenska · 12-17-2007, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by Daggernite

So do you think all these spy shots from early on in year of the RS at the nurburg still mean something? or wasthat RS scraped? and is it a totally new design?

I guess it's just Ford just didn't want people to get hopes up until they had something more tangible to show. Like how Ford canned Fiesta RS before much development was done.

Daggernite · 12-17-2007, 03:40 PM

Well if is the result of the 2nd wrc championship win, then there leading competitors must be the Sti and Evo10. So it must be safe to say it will be 4WD and as far as engines are concerned I think the current 2.5 5cy engine will do. will be awesome.

HeilSvenska · 12-17-2007, 03:42 PM

And an RS8 version (again) with 500hp.

pagani · 12-17-2007, 03:44 PM

Thank god for the rs!

nthfinity · 12-17-2007, 03:47 PM

Wow.... if a car in the US is in the shop for a third time to fix the same issue, we have something called "lemon laws" where the dealer/manufactuerer are obliged to buy the car back.

Its not like the dealer network in the US is everybody 100% awesome... the best dealer network where every shop i've been to were Subaru, and Saab... I'm sure there are bad apples, but it seems so similar at all of them

.... not so with most other marques.