Focus RS press release

[FF_Mark]

FORD FOCUS RS: RALLY PEDIGREE FOR THE ROAD

"Ford Focus RS is inspired by our Focus WRC car ? an exclusive, ultra high-performance car which revitalises
the RS marque and incorporates all the RS brand stands for in driving pleasure, precision handling and heady
performance."

Martin Leach, President and Chief Operating Officer

Ford of Europe

WRC inspired, high-performance Focus
Duratec RS 2.0-litre engine, advanced turbo-charging system with 65 per cent more power than standard
2.0-litre: 215PS @ 5,500rpm/ 310Nm @ 3,500rpm
Quaife torque-biasing differential for optimal front-wheel-drive tractability
RS performance: 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds, 0-100 mph in 15.5 seconds, 100-0mph in just 4.1 seconds, top
speed of 144 mph
Aggressive style inspired by the Focus WRC, including chassis layout and competition-themed interior
Shared suppliers, including Sparco, Garrett Technologies, O.Z. Racing, Brembo, Sachs Racing and AP
Racing
Production limited to 30 units per day in Ford's Saarlouis Plant, Germany, with volume production starting
mid-September 2002
On sale in UK October 2002, with prices announced September 2002



BRENTWOOD, 6 August, 2002 - Inspired by the Ford Focus WRC contender and boasting impressive
performance credentials of its own, the Ford Focus RS is ready to take its place in RS history, reintroducing the
legendary brand to the UK.

Developed purely as a driver?s car, Ford Focus RS delivers an exhilarating combination of exciting power and
acceleration, confident and precise handling, assured braking efficiency, aggressive exterior styling and a
purposeful, driver-oriented interior.

Ford Focus RS is the closest you can get to a road-going version of Colin McRae's World Rally Championship
contender, deliberately using many of Ford?s WRC respected motorsport technology partners including: Sparco
(seats), Garrett Technologies (turbocharger), O.Z. Racing (wheels), Brembo (brakes), Sachs Racing (dampers),
Quaife (differential) and AP Racing (clutch).

RS performance, everyday dependability

Powering Ford Focus RS is a turbocharged, 2.0-litre, Duratec RS engine derived from the mainstream 130 PS
Duratec 16v Focus engine. Engineered to be as durable as it is potent, Duratec RS delivers peak power of 215 PS
at 5,500 rpm, 65 per cent more than the standard 2.0-litre. Torque output has increased even more, by 75 per cent,
to a peak of 310 Nm at 3,500 rpm.

The resulting performance is impressive: acceleration from 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds; 60-100 mph in only 9.8
seconds; top speed of 144 mph.

Ford Focus RS? stopping power is equally remarkable: braking forces exceeding 1.0g and 100-zero mph in only 93
metres.

On the move, Ford Focus RS exceeds the dynamic road holding of many renowned purpose-built sports cars,
achieving a steady-state lateral acceleration of 0.94g in skidpan testing.

Despite these performance credentials, Ford Focus RS returns a realistic everyday fuel economy: 19.9 mpg urban,
36.7 mpg extra urban and 28 mpg combined, over the new European driving cycle. CO2 output is 237 g/km.

Despite the performance intent and aggressive stance ? with a wheelbase and wide front/rear track identical to the
Focus WRC?s tarmac competition settings ? Ford Ford Focus RS also offers superb driving comfort, dependability
and practicality for everyday driving.

It is the dual personality of this contemporary Ford RS ? functionality, comfort and dependability alongside
high-performance capabilities.

Engineering excellence

To create the new Ford Focus RS, Ford assembled a handpicked team of around 60 specialist engineers. Many of
them had already played key roles in the development of the Ford Focus, which debuted in 1998, was voted
European Car of the Year 1999 and is still acclaimed by many as the benchmark for driving quality.

The RS development team has been given the time it needed to prove out the robustness and dependability of the
RS package ? such was the determination of Martin Leach (then Ford's Vice President of European Product
Development) to get all aspects of the car right.



To ensure this durability, Leach insisted the Ford Focus RS undergo a rigorous testing programme, usually
conducted only in the development of new mainstream production cars.

"We truly understand the feeling of urgency among performance enthusiasts to get their hands on the Ford Focus
RS," said Mike Kilpin, chief programme engineer. "The return of the RS brand created tremendous excitement
and expectation, but we still believe the right thing to do was not to rush this car to market. It?s ready now, and
we?re proud of the end result ? Ford Focus RS can speak for itself."

Even with its specialised engineering, the new Ford Focus RS was designed for assembly alongside standard Ford
Focus models at the Saarlouis Assembly Plant, Germany, where Ford has pioneered its flexible manufacturing
process.

The 2.0-litre Duratec RS engine is manufactured at the UK?s Bridgend (Wales) Engine Plant. Specialist
engineering facilities are integrated with normal production processes at both plant locations. Ford Focus RS
production capacity is limited to 30 units a day.

Ford RS ? the business strategy

Its performance, technology and exclusivity make Ford Focus RS a true interpretation of the legendary Ford
performance brand. Starting with the Escort RS 1600 in 1969, RS would become synonymous with "performance"
as Ford established a line of more than 20 RS-badged derivatives in the 1970s, ?80s and ?90s.

Originally unveiled as a concept car in October 2000, the new Ford Focus RS heralded a new approach to Ford
performance cars in Europe. The company has committed to an aggressive performance car development as part of
its product-led European transformation strategy. Under this strategy, the RS brand is developed for performance
purists, while the more accessible ST ? Sport Technologies ? brand appeals to a broader range of enthusiasts.

Ford?s Special Vehicle Engineering (SVE) department is entrusted with taking this performance strategy forward.
It is led by the highly experienced Jost Capito, who joined Ford in October 2001 and was previously Chief
Operating Officer at Swiss-based Formula 1 team, Sauber Petronas.

Ford Focus success story

Ford Focus? British sales success is well documented: since launch in 1998, sales have increased year on year;
Focus has been the UK?s best-selling car every month for over two years and the world?s best-selling car since
2001. UK sales are up again in 2002 with 85,282 sales year-to-date, a 19.2 per cent increase over 2001. Total UK
sales since launch are over 450,000.

In 2002, Ford Focus has also been recognised by the TüV organisation as the German car industry leader in
reliability for cars between one and three years old.

The Ford Focus WRC, which inspired the Ford Focus RS, boasts an equally impressive performance and
dependability record having won the last three consecutive world rallies, including the toughest of them all ? the
Safari Rally in Kenya.

[Clint]

Blunder spotted

acceleration from 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds; 60-100 mph in only 9.8 ( =15.2 seconds 0-100 )

and then

0-100 mph in 15.5 seconds

[FF_Mark]

0.3 seconds for Turbo to spin up ?

[Hugh]

That starter buttons going to be a right pain in the arse to have to reach for each time, it's where the traction control switch is on mine and it's always a fumble and a reach to get to that.

Starter button are only worth it if they are followed by a loud starter motor noise followed by the sound of a chevy V8 booming into life

[Ferg]

What ECU is it running then, are these things going to be tunable straight out the factory? ie Are we going to see some companies producing power upgrades for them straight away?

Imagine if a chip got you 300 bhp imediately!

Someone please give one to Clint...

[Clint]

I heard it would be Fords EEC 5. Code changes will be very possible

[Threedoorboy]

Looks lovley!!! But as I said before the price is still to be anounced and have you seen the clio cup?? 0-60 in 61/2 secs and top wack 140 for........get this........12995!!!!! I know the clio will not be half the car the FRS will be but to the general public where does that leave the focus and more importantly the RS name???