- All-new Focus RS makes North American debut at New York
International Auto Show introducing advanced performance technologies
for ultimate hot hatch experience; pioneers innovative Ford Performance
All-Wheel Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring, industry-first drift
mode, additional drive modes
- Third-generation high-performance hatch features specially
engineered 2.3-liter EcoBoost® engine producing more than 315
horsepower, most powerful RS brake system ever with Brembo front
calipers
- Ford Focus RS will be at dealerships in the United States in spring 2016
DEARBORN, Mich., March 25, 2015 – The all-new Ford Focus RS is set to
debut on U.S. soil at the 2015 New York International Auto Show. Focus
RS pioneers innovative Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive delivering
blistering cornering speed for thrilling performance and unbridled
driving enjoyment for enthusiasts in North America for the first time.
The high-performance road car introduces advanced performance
technologies, and is the first Ford RS equipped with selectable drive
modes – including industry-first drift mode as well as launch control.
The third-generation high-performance hatch features a 2.3-liter
EcoBoost® engine delivering well in excess of 315 horsepower, along with
the most powerful Ford RS braking system ever. Its dramatic exterior
design offers optimized aerodynamics and cooling, with 9 percent less
drag over the previous model.
“Customers have begged for the Focus RS to come to the United States
for years,” said Raj Nair, group vice president, Global Product
Development, Ford Motor Company. “And now we can say that they are
getting one of the most innovative, powerful and best-looking RS cars
ever. That is special.
“The RS line has a proud history of technical breakthroughs,” Nair
added. “It’s a great example of our passion for innovation through
performance, and creating vehicles that make people’s hearts pound.”
The all-new Focus RS is the first model that will be produced for all
markets at Ford’s Saarlouis, Germany, manufacturing plant beginning
late this year, with sales in North America beginning in spring 2016.
Innovative Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive offers unmatched handling
Focus RS leverages innovative Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive with
Dynamic Torque Vectoring to deliver a new level of handling capability
and driver enjoyment – combining outstanding traction with unmatched
agility and cornering speed.
The system is based on electronically controlled twin clutch packs on
each side of the rear-drive unit. The control unit continuously varies
front-to-rear and side-to-side torque distribution to suit the driving
situation – monitoring inputs from multiple vehicle sensors 100 times
per second. A maximum of 70 percent of the drive torque can be diverted
to the rear axle. Up to 100 percent of available torque can be sent to
each rear wheel delivering the torque-vectoring capability that has a
dramatic impact on handling and cornering stability.
In cornering situations, the rear-drive unit pre-emptively diverts
torque to the outer rear wheel based on steering wheel angle, lateral
acceleration, yaw and speed. This torque transfer has the effect of
“driving” the car into a bend – achieving improved turn-in and stability
while virtually eliminating understeer.
The system is tuned to deliver exceptional grip – with lateral
acceleration exceeding 1 g – along with exciting cornering speed and
acceleration out of a bend. With neutral and adjustable at-limit
handling and the ability to achieve controlled oversteer drifts at the
track, Focus RS delivers the ultimate fun-to-drive experience.
“This all-wheel-drive system is a breakthrough technology – capable
of delivering supreme cornering and handling at the limit,” said Dave
Pericak, director, Global Ford Performance. “We ripped up the rulebook
that says all-wheel-drive hatchbacks aren’t fun to drive, and created a
car that will surprise and reward in equal measure.”
To deliver optimum driving dynamics, Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive
is calibrated alongside the car’s advanced Electronic Stability
Control, in particular, the brake-based torque-vectoring system that
works in parallel with torque-vectoring all-wheel drive.
Other exclusive chassis features include a sport suspension with
stiffer spring rates and more efficient bushes and antiroll bars than
those found in Focus ST, and two-mode switchable dampers, which offer a
firmer setting for track use. Specially tuned electric power-assisted
steering, in combination with an optimized front suspension knuckle
design and shorter link arms delivers connected and responsive steering
with outstanding feel.
Ford worked with Michelin to develop a choice of high-performance
235/35R-19 tires to complement the driving dynamics Focus RS offers – a
standard Pilot Super Sport for everyday use and, for the first time, an
optional Pilot Sport Cup 2 for enhanced dynamics at the track.
The car’s exterior design supports the dynamic objectives as well.
Aerodynamic optimization of the front splitter, rear spoiler and
underbody eliminates lift forces, resulting in balanced performance with
zero-lift front and rear for optimum high-speed handling and stability.
With a drag coefficient of 0.35, the shape of the new Focus RS is 6
percent more aerodynamic than the previous model, and with its more
compact frontal area, the car generates 9 percent less drag – improving
high-speed performance and reducing fuel consumption.
Industry-first drift mode heads up advanced performance technologies
The all-new Focus RS offers advanced performance and driver-assist
technologies to help ensure its extreme driving capabilities are
accessible and easy to use.
The driver can select from four different drive modes to configure
the car for optimum performance in road or circuit driving conditions –
normal, sport, track and a special drift mode.
Using a switch alongside the gear lever, the driver can choose
settings for all-wheel drive, damper control, Electronic Stability
Control, steering and engine response, as well as exhaust sound.
Industry-first drift mode is specially calibrated for all-wheel drive
to modify torque distribution to help the driver achieve controlled
oversteer drifts at the track.
Launch control configures the car’s chassis and powertrain systems to
deliver the fastest possible acceleration. The driver selects launch
control from the cluster menu, engages first gear, applies full throttle
and releases the clutch. The car then delivers optimum drive –
distributing torque through the all-wheel-drive system, maintaining
maximum torque using the turbo overboost function, managing traction
control and setting the dampers.
To achieve maximum acceleration through the gears, a performance
shift light in the instrument cluster alerts the driver when the optimum
upshift point of 5,900 rpm approaches, flashing if the engine hits the
6,800 rpm limit.
“Focus RS is exhilarating to drive,” said Pericak, “a car offering
performance that’s accessible to all. It’s easy and enjoyable to use
every day.”
For enhanced braking performance in hard driving at the track, Focus
RS features 13.78-inch ventilated front discs – up from 13.23 inches on
the previous model. Lightweight aluminum four-piston monobloc Brembo
calipers are painted distinctive RS blue with a Brembo logo available.
To help minimize fade under sustained track use, brake cooling is
maximized through dedicated cooling ducts fed from the front fascia,
twin “jet tunnels” in the underbody and airflow guides on the lower
suspension arms. The front discs feature aerodynamically optimized
ventilation fins for enhanced cooling.
Unique powertrain for high performance
Projected to deliver well in excess of 315 horsepower, the Focus RS
2.3-liter EcoBoost shares its fundamental structure with the
all-aluminum four-cylinder engine in the all-new Mustang. What’s
different is that the RS engine features a comprehensive package of
design changes.
Increased output is generated by a new low-inertia twin-scroll
turbocharger with larger compressor that delivers significantly greater
airflow, along with a much bigger intercooler to maximize charge
density. Engine breathing is enhanced through a less restrictive intake
design, and a large-bore high-performance exhaust system with
electronically controlled valve in the tailpipe helps optimize the
balance of back pressure and noise output.
Engine cooling has been given the highest priority. Engineers created
additional space within the front of the car to house a significantly
larger radiator pack – the biggest ever fitted to a Focus – that
provides the level of cooling demanded for hard driving. The cylinder
head is produced from an upgraded alloy material capable of withstanding
higher temperatures, and is mounted on a more robust head gasket with
improved thermal capability. Stronger high-tensile cast-iron liners are
used for the cylinder block.
With its high-efficiency design featuring direct fuel injection, twin
independent variable camshaft timing, advanced turbocharging and Auto
Start-Stop, this EcoBoost engine delivers exceptional power and
respectable fuel consumption.
The six-speed manual is optimized for the enthusiast driver with a
shorter gear shift and revised mechanism to deliver faster, more
accurate shifts. Both transmission and clutch are upgraded with stronger
components to cope with the engine’s increased torque output.
Ford Performance engineers have tuned the car to deliver a rewarding
and sporty sound character in spirited driving, with signature Focus RS
burbles and pops.
“This very special 2.3-liter EcoBoost unit will inspire drivers as
they feel the surge of the turbo, and reward them as they take it to
redline – all delivered with a stirring sound guaranteed to put a smile
on their face,” said Pericak.
High-performance design for stunning looks with optimum function
The exterior is dramatic and functional. Designers worked closely with
Ford Performance to ensure functional attributes were achieved, focusing
on aerodynamic downforce and balance and the cooling demands of the
powertrain and brakes. The result is a powerful, muscular character.
“This is the ultimate Focus – stunning to look at and entirely fit
for its purpose,” said Joel Piaskowski, Design director, Ford of Europe.
“RS models have always been striking, high-performance cars where
function is paramount, and Focus RS is true to that heritage.”
Focus RS, based on the standard model, features a powerful new front
end look, with a bold upper trapezoidal grille above a deep splitter
incorporating the largest possible openings for engine cooling. Bi-xenon
HID headlamps offer brilliant illumination in all road conditions. The
wide, muscular stance is emphasized by lower wings and large outboard
openings on each side of the car, which feed the brake cooling ducts and
house vertically mounted fog lamps.
At the rear, the fascia panel is dominated by an exceptionally large
diffuser that optimizes airflow from under the car. The distinctive roof
spoiler is integrated with the car’s silhouette through body-colored
side panels featuring a subtle embossed RS logo.
The dynamic side profile is emphasized by sculptured rocker panels
and bold wheel lips that house a choice of multi-spoke 19-inch RS alloy
wheels, including the high-performance, lightweight forged design
finished in low-gloss black that offers enhanced strength and impact
resistance with a weight savings of 1.3 pounds per wheel.
The high-performance character is reflected in the cockpit, with
heavily bolstered, partial-leather Recaro sport seats as the
centerpiece. A soft-feel flat-bottomed steering wheel, leather-covered
rim, alloy pedals and unique instrument graphics in the main cluster
reinforce the performance character. Gauges atop the center console
display turbo boost pressure, oil temperature and oil pressure.
The distinctive blue RS theme is echoed throughout the cabin in the
stitching on the seats, steering wheel, floor mats, interior trim,
colored graphic on the gear shift and in the RS logo itself on the
seats, steering wheel and door scuff plates.
The interior features the redesigned Focus control layout, with
8-inch capacitive touch screen with SYNC® 3 voice connectivity for
audio, navigation, climate control and mobile phones.
Four striking colors for the exterior include Focus RS-exclusive
Nitrous Blue, a vibrant four-coat metallic finish, as well as Stealth
Gray, Shadow Black and Frozen White.
Rich heritage of innovation and performance
Since the first Ford RS models took to the road, the marque has been an
essential element of Ford DNA – delivering technological innovation and
performance for road and track. Dating back to the early days of the
company’s success in Rallye Sport, the first models established the RS
reputation for advanced technology and driving exhilaration.
“The all-new Focus RS is true to the core RS principles of innovative
engineering and high performance,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president,
Product Development, Ford of Europe. “Driving enthusiasts have always
aspired to own RS vehicles, and this heritage inspires everyone at Ford.
Now, enthusiasts in North America will have a chance to become an owner
of this remarkable performance hatch.”
The original 215-horsepower Focus RS from 2002 featured a 2.0-liter
turbocharged engine and advanced limited-slip differential. The
second-generation model sent 305 horsepower through its front wheels
with a groundbreaking RevoKnuckle suspension design.
The all-new Focus RS is the latest vehicle to be unveiled as part of a
new era of Ford performance that will bring to customers globally more
than 12 performance vehicles through 2020. In addition to pleasing
enthusiasts, RS vehicles help deliver the company’s One Ford plan for
profitable growth, product excellence and innovation in every part of
its business.
