Anyone see Road & Track...300hp+ Ford Focus???
06-19-2003, 01:00 PM
#1
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Anyone see Road & Track...300hp+ Ford Focus???
Hey All!
The Road & Track issue with the Enzo Ferrari on the cover has been out for several weeks now but I just picked up a copy and was pretty shocked at what I saw.
I guess Ford (probably their SVT division) is getting set to give the STI and the Evo some serious competition. They're bringing the Cosworth here which is basically this:
A Ford Focus
300+ hp (should be around 325 or more)
6 speed transmission
AWD
Body cladding
Sport suspension, wheels, etc
And....it will be priced several thousand $ more than the STI. It looks like the rally wars for us comsumers is off to a great start! But, the sad part for me is is although I bought an STI and love it, I've always loved the way a rally ready Ford Focus hatchback looks. Guess I love them big 'ol hatchback butts! lol
Oh well....I guess I'll never be truly happy with any car as long as new cool models keep coming out like they have the past few years.
Any opinions on this new Focus on Roids?
The Road & Track issue with the Enzo Ferrari on the cover has been out for several weeks now but I just picked up a copy and was pretty shocked at what I saw.
I guess Ford (probably their SVT division) is getting set to give the STI and the Evo some serious competition. They're bringing the Cosworth here which is basically this:
A Ford Focus
300+ hp (should be around 325 or more)
6 speed transmission
AWD
Body cladding
Sport suspension, wheels, etc
And....it will be priced several thousand $ more than the STI. It looks like the rally wars for us comsumers is off to a great start! But, the sad part for me is is although I bought an STI and love it, I've always loved the way a rally ready Ford Focus hatchback looks. Guess I love them big 'ol hatchback butts! lol
Oh well....I guess I'll never be truly happy with any car as long as new cool models keep coming out like they have the past few years.
Any opinions on this new Focus on Roids?
06-19-2003, 02:12 PM
#2
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score! it finally seems that the big manufacturers are seeing that there is a real market for rally style cars here in the US. this will only benefit the consumer, giving us more choices, and forcing the manufacturers to bring better and better AWD sport sedans/hatchbacks to the US. i can hardly wait!
06-19-2003, 02:44 PM
#3
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I posted this a few weeks ago. And no one seems to know if it is coming to the US. Anyone know yet?
06-19-2003, 04:01 PM
#4
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It'll be here!
All you gotta do is hold your breath, then click your heels three times, and say the words "In my dreams" five times really fast while looking in your rear view mirror....
Good luck!
- Janq
All you gotta do is hold your breath, then click your heels three times, and say the words "In my dreams" five times really fast while looking in your rear view mirror....
Good luck!
- Janq
06-19-2003, 06:36 PM
#5
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It does indeed look like the Ford Cosworth is coming to the US but as the new 2004 Focus SVT. Ford knows it needed to up the ante on their SVT products. Hence the new 500hp 2004/5 F-150 Lightning coming out and a new, bad-*** 300hp Focus to replace the pitiful 170hp FWD model they have now.
Ford already have the Focus RS turbo selling well in Europe and, with the success of AWD rally cars here....think mainly the original WRX here folks, and pressure from other specialty/ factory modified performance sub-brands, they have no choice but to bring it here.
Just think of how much specialty performance brands there are now competing:
Dodge SRT
Chevy SS
Cadillac XS (coming soon)
Toyota S (lame attempt by Toyota)
MazdaSpeed
Acura Type S/R
Honda Si
Mitsubishi Rallyart
Subaru STI
Audi S Series
AMG
BMW's M
Jaguar's new Performance models
Volvo SR Series
And Nissan is just pushing up the ponies/performance across their whole model line
Well, I guess we are all the winners in this new horsepower/ performance competition. And...we now have a strong aftermarket too. Awesome!
Ford already have the Focus RS turbo selling well in Europe and, with the success of AWD rally cars here....think mainly the original WRX here folks, and pressure from other specialty/ factory modified performance sub-brands, they have no choice but to bring it here.
Just think of how much specialty performance brands there are now competing:
Dodge SRT
Chevy SS
Cadillac XS (coming soon)
Toyota S (lame attempt by Toyota)
MazdaSpeed
Acura Type S/R
Honda Si
Mitsubishi Rallyart
Subaru STI
Audi S Series
AMG
BMW's M
Jaguar's new Performance models
Volvo SR Series
And Nissan is just pushing up the ponies/performance across their whole model line
Well, I guess we are all the winners in this new horsepower/ performance competition. And...we now have a strong aftermarket too. Awesome!
06-19-2003, 07:03 PM
#6
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Guys,
Many hints have been dropped about a more powerful Focus.
I'm truthfully glad, as a car enthusiast, that we as consumers will have more to choose from.
I do believe that the "300+" hp claim is off. I think from a marketing perspective we may see around 230-240HP tops to compete with the SRT-4.
I doubt that Ford would issue an AWD platform with 325 Hp... Having said that, such a car would be SWEEEEEEET!!
Many hints have been dropped about a more powerful Focus.
I'm truthfully glad, as a car enthusiast, that we as consumers will have more to choose from.
I do believe that the "300+" hp claim is off. I think from a marketing perspective we may see around 230-240HP tops to compete with the SRT-4.
I doubt that Ford would issue an AWD platform with 325 Hp... Having said that, such a car would be SWEEEEEEET!!
06-19-2003, 11:28 PM
#8
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Posts: 91
still, japanese cars are more customizable
06-22-2003, 04:01 PM
#10
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No matter how much horse power it has, it is still a Focus. Just like the new turbo Neon, it is still a Neon.
06-22-2003, 07:44 PM
#11
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Esso.
That pic you posted of the Focus greatly resembles the new desgin Lexus RS330 from the rear.
- Janq
That pic you posted of the Focus greatly resembles the new desgin Lexus RS330 from the rear.
- Janq
06-22-2003, 08:10 PM
#12
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^^ yes, it does. I've always liked the focus and I especially like the design of this Cosworth edition. I don't think it'll come here for a while. But who cares, I have my STi to enjoy! Took it out for a spin today in the heat wave we are now having. I was doing some very agressive high speed turns on the onramps and I actually managed to get the tires to slip and squeal a lot sooner than I expected. I had the DCCD on auto. I never broke through the 4000 RPM "barrier" but when I was finished the heat coming through the hood was insane. I could have easily fried an egg on it. I think the engine was way too hot but all fluid levels were right. maybe owners should be thinking about enhanced cooling of some sort?
06-22-2003, 08:19 PM
#13
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I agree..I like the 2dr Focus.
As for the engine heat build up Subies to my knowledge expel a lot of heat. Also keep in mind the hood is thin aluminum with no insulation material.
Maybe better would be to afix a "DANGER" or "DO NOT TOUCH" sticker to the hood or scoop as they do on military fighter engines.
- Janq
As for the engine heat build up Subies to my knowledge expel a lot of heat. Also keep in mind the hood is thin aluminum with no insulation material.
Maybe better would be to afix a "DANGER" or "DO NOT TOUCH" sticker to the hood or scoop as they do on military fighter engines.
- Janq
06-23-2003, 05:49 PM
#14
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the new issue of SCC had pictures of spied Cosworth Focus testing in Scandanavia.
due in Europe in 2005 300 hp.
regarding SVT
i quote :
"Whats the chance of the Cosworth making it to the US? Rumors are that SVT's budget is under severe pressure and the SVT Focus is likely a goner. Bringing over the Cosworth would plug the hole in the Ford lini-up without unduly high development costs and cast a halo of WRC ability over the whole of the Foucs line. So, it might happen-and it might not"
btw. i loved those new wings on Subaru WRC and Focus WRC
they are ugly but they frickin work!
i would love to see the Cosworth making it to the states.
congrats to marko martin for winning the Acropolis rally.
he s fast...
due in Europe in 2005 300 hp.
regarding SVT
i quote :
"Whats the chance of the Cosworth making it to the US? Rumors are that SVT's budget is under severe pressure and the SVT Focus is likely a goner. Bringing over the Cosworth would plug the hole in the Ford lini-up without unduly high development costs and cast a halo of WRC ability over the whole of the Foucs line. So, it might happen-and it might not"
btw. i loved those new wings on Subaru WRC and Focus WRC
they are ugly but they frickin work!
i would love to see the Cosworth making it to the states.
congrats to marko martin for winning the Acropolis rally.
he s fast...
06-23-2003, 07:10 PM
#15
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And Congrats to Petter Solberg and Subaru for winning the Cyprus rally! Subaru needed that win.