Sneak preview of the new Ford Focus

[Focus2000]

I'm a Focus fan through and through, but that doesn't stop me recognising the fact that this new car is just ugleeee :apuke: Ford claim greater aerodynamic efficiency, but that front spoiler looks about as aerodynamically efficient as a brick wall.

As long as it produces good results it doesn't matter what it looks like.

[Marco_Wrc]

We've been giving you exclusive sneak previews since last week, but today, the stunning new Ford Focus RS WRC 03, the most technically advanced and revolutionary rally car ever, has been unveiled.

Well, we'll see that in the rally of New Zealand.
What good is a car when your drivers are not able to get the maximum out of it.

[freakray]

Originally posted by Marco_Wrc


What good is a car when your drivers are not able to get the maximum out of it.

:cwn27: :hehehe: :thumbup:


That is one of the best statements I have seen....Well said!!

[Guido]

Originally posted by Marco_Wrc


Well, we'll see that in the rally of New Zealand.
What good is a car when your drivers are not able to get the maximum out of it.

I would not underestimate the abilities of Belgian young gun Duval ...

But when succesfull rally cars need to look aggressive - I guess they must have thought that at Ford - then the new Focus will be good. It looks very wild and aggressive to me

[Marco_Wrc]

Don't get me wrong, I certainly do not underestimate the drivers running for Ford at current.
In fact, I hope Markko Märtin is a future world champion, but.... until that time there's a lot of work to do for Duval and Märtin.

[Focus2000]

Originally posted by Marco_Wrc
Well, we'll see that in the rally of New Zealand.
What good is a car when your drivers are not able to get the maximum out of it.

I would say that Ford were planning for the future when they chose Martin and Duval over Sainz and McRae. Neither of them have the experience to take points from the top runners like Gronholm and Makkinen, but they'll certainly be snapping at their heels ready to steal points when the senior drivers make mistakes.

Give them time and they'll start to shine.

[RallyRaider]

That front bumper sure is uuuggg-leee. Rest of the car still looks okay. Since the bumper seems to stick out a fair bit chances are the drivers will rip it off early in the stage and run a bit lighter in the front. One way to improve the nose heavy weight distribution :silly2:

Judging by the press release blurb M-Sport have really done a lot of work on the car curing a lot of it's old problems. Will they also affect it's strenghts, like rough rally reliability?

Also read the new homologation is actually based on the longer US version of the Focus. Perhaps that explains the asthetically challenged appearance <good natured jibe at American cars>

[freakray]

Originally posted by RallyRaider

Also read the new homologation is actually based on the longer US version of the Focus.

For you Phil

USA Focus:


UK Focus:


Dimensions: USA Focus
Wheelbase : 2616(103")
Overall Length : 4269(168.1")
Overall Width : 1701(67")
Overall Height : 1430(56.3")

Dimensions: European Focus
Wheelbase : 2615
Overall Length : 4174
Overall Width : 1702
Overall Height : 1430

And since I own a Focus, I can definitely say the USA version looks a lot like the European one, to me, with the exception of a few cosmetic features.

So whichever one the Rally car is based on, they are pretty much the same....

[ales]

It looks very agressive! I like it. Hope it goes fast too.



the wing



Interior



Muzzle

[Focus2000]

Good god, look at the size of that wing

If it goes as fast as it looks it'll rip the Peugeots apart :greenchai

[Jay!]

I knew you guys would have already seen it, but here's a bit more...

from www.itechnology.co.za: Ford's radical rally Focus ready for NZ

March 27 2003 at 05:27PM

BRENTWOOD, England – A radical new look hints at the most technically advanced and revolutionary Ford Focus World Rally car just unveiled before its competition debut in the Rally New Zealand on April 11.

The Ford Focus RS WRC 03 is significantly different in both looks and mechanics to the 2002 car. It is more than 80% new and is the first design from Ford Rallye Sport technical director Christian Loriaux.

Highlights include radical changes to styling and the aerodynamic package, a new rear suspension system, improved weight distribution and a new, lighter two-litre, turbocharged Duratec engine developed and built by Cosworth Racing.

Ford Rallye Sport and Ford’s mainstream engineering teams worked side by side on the project, including the assessment of aerodynamic and cooling systems in Ford’s wind tunnel in Cologne.

"I’m genuinely excited by what the team has developed here and I think the car looks sensational," said Martin Whitaker, Ford's European director of motorsport.

"Ford is at the forefront of rally technology with this car and I believe it takes the sport to a new, higher level."

Team director Malcolm Wilson insisted that the revolutionary approach to the new car would not affect the Ford Focus’ record-breaking reliability.

"We have enjoyed incredible reliability with the Focus, which has scored World championship points on each of the last 17 rallies, a feat unprecedented in the modern era of the sport," he said.

"The next step is to raise the performance level and we’re confident that that will not be at the expense of overall reliability.

"We've made tremendous weight savings everywhere, with significant help from Cosworth Racing and Pi Research, allowing us to ensure minimum weight. We could have gone lighter so that has enabled us to add weight by strengthening parts in key areas to achieve a weight distribution which best benefits the balance and handling of the car."

Such strengthening included increasing the weight of the roll cage to improve crew safety.

"The Focus has a reputation for being a strong and safe car but we took the decision that if we could raise safety levels further then that’s something we should do," explained Wilson.

The Ford Focus RS WRC 03 will undergo a parts inspection by the FIA this week and is due to be officially homologated as a World Rally Car on April 1.

Markko Märtin and co-driver Michael Park and Belgian team mates François Duval and Stéphane Prévot will drive the new cars.

The team’s third pairing of Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen will continue to drive a 2002-specification Focus WRC for the rest of the season.

[ales]

Originally posted by jay@af
I knew you guys would have already seen it, but here's a bit more...

(click)

[RallyRaider]

Ray,

Looking at your figures the US version is about 10 cm longer than the european car. See the big rear bumper on the US version, that is where the extra lengh is. So that enables M-Sport to hang the rear wing out 10cm further than the european Focus would let them. Look at the side on picture the rear wing goes back the same distance as the bumper. Provides more effective downforce.

Rear wing looks like a 50-50 blend of Peugeot and Subaru.

[Jay!]

Originally posted by ales
(click)

Is you pic a doctored version of mine, or vice versa? Or are they different pics?

:finger:

[k_dog]

[quote]Originally posted by ales
[b]It looks very agressive! I like it. Hope it goes fast too.

[
Interior




Is it me or did Martin leave his Cell in the Car?!?!
Brian