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Saleen Racecraft Focus RC2 coming in under $20k
Click above for a high resolution image
Saleen is primarily associated with its Mustang lineup, but the American tuner has been known to dabble in everything from mid-engine exotics to humble hatches. Back in 2004, they launched the N2O Focus, complete with a body kit, suspension upgrades, a sporty interior, and a 75-shot nitrous system (sorta). Saleen ended up selling only a handful of cars, and eventually resulted in a $700,000 fine from the California Air Resources Board for altering emissions control systems in the car. Despite the letdown of the N2O, Saleen is launching another version of the Focus, dubbed the RC2, under the budget-friendly Racecraft brand.
Based on the Ford Focus coupe, the RC2 features subtle exterior styling changes including a new front fascia, mesh grille, side skirts, rear spoiler, and 18-inch wheels. The suspension is upgraded with stiffer springs, shocks and larger sway bars, and larger brakes are fitted up front. Horsepower is bumped by approximately 15 with a dual-tipped exhaust system and cold air intake. Production will start in the first quarter of 2009 and will be relatively affordable at under $20,000. Will this next generation Saleen Focus have more success than the previous version? We think it's got a pretty good chance. Check out the galleries below to compare the Saleen N2O and RC2.
Gallery: Racecraft Focus RC2
Gallery: 2004 Saleen N20 Focus
[Source: AutoWeek.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Randy 6:02PM (8/20/2008)
That is actually really cool! - VERY COOL
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Eric 6:09PM (8/20/2008)
April 1st is a loooong ways away...
It looks atrocious.
Torrent 6:13PM (8/20/2008)
Maybe all this hideous design was crying for was a bodykit..... Now just touch up the front and maybe I'll look at it without my gag reflex being used to the extreme.
murplepoo 7:32PM (8/20/2008)
"the RC2 features subtle exterior styling changes"
Yeah the racecraft stripe just screams subtle.
PJ 6:06PM (8/20/2008)
Ugh. Shouldn't that be "Ricecraft?"
Still, assuming they've taken the time to tune it properly, a firmed-up suspension and intake/exhaust kit in an under-$20K package is good news. Too bad there's a Focus around it.
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Kumail891 6:05PM (8/20/2008)
only thing i dont like about this is that its a focus
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Tam 6:08PM (8/20/2008)
Worse, it's a US Focus, and hence fugly.
Nothing wrong with the Euro Focus, IMO.
ugg.tryptophan 6:13PM (8/20/2008)
those rims...so bad, eyes bleeding
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Torrent 6:56PM (8/20/2008)
Your problem with the car is the rims? ROFL. My problem with the car is the car itself.
ugg.tryptophan 9:46PM (8/20/2008)
everyone knows the american focus is visually a pile-o- horsecrap, but what really confuses me is when tuners decide that after putting thousands in improving the performance of their cars they attach cosmetic upgrades that make it look worse, cheap even
De 6:14PM (8/20/2008)
Other than the chrome rims, it's not a bad looking car at all. Definitely the best looking Focus I've seen of this generation.
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What do you care 6:16PM (8/20/2008)
You guys are the lamest crowd I ever knew. You can't give credit where credit is due. We'll put it to you this way the car you dry sucks and should used as boat anchor. You people make me sick, it's best if you don't post your ignorant comments. Pathetic. this is one heck of a car.
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zamafir 6:58PM (8/20/2008)
actually, at "under 20k" it's a pathetic car. under 20k buys a civic si, or a gti, or a jetta we. Will this ford have zero issues hitting sixty around or below 7? achieve over 30mpg on the freeway? cool. ever look as good as the jetta or civic on the outside? oh no. ever feel as adequate as the civic or nice as jetta on the inside? ditto on the no.
Nope, the only thing pathetic here is spending just under 20k on a boat anchor when you could have purchase a much more rewarding, attractive, fun and useful car.
Seminole 7:14PM (8/20/2008)
zamafir,
Hate to burst your bubble, but a Si starts at $21,110 and a GTI starts at $22,800. That's before you add options on. This will be under $20,000 with everything. Now given you can negotiate the base models of the others down some, maybe to $20,000 even. But you could do the same to the Focus. It isn't even trying to compete against those cars, rather just provide an entertaining drive at the same price of a Civic EX or VW Rabbit.
Geeky1 7:27PM (8/20/2008)
"One heck of a car" eh? I disagree. It may very well be a great deal, and one of the better performing (if not the best) performing car under $20k. But what credit does it deserve?
Whether it's cheap or not, slow is still slow, FWD is still wrong wheel drive (yes, I'm aware of the original Mini; this is not an original Mini, last I looked, and isn't entitled to the same exception), and "but it's dirt cheap" isn't sufficient reason to overlook the car's inherent inadequacies.
I'm not saying that it's not good *for what it is* because by all indications it is. But at heart, it's still an underpowered, front wheel drive econobox that's supposed to be, somehow, some way, "sporty" or "fun" or something. And that renders it completely-and indeed, inescapably-unimpressive, at least to me.
PJ 7:50PM (8/20/2008)
More likely competitors for this car would be the Mazda 3 s and base MINI Cooper, both of which are under $20K, lots of fun to drive, more refined than a Focus, and heaps classier inside and out. Subtract the "fun to drive" bit, and you can also add Scion's tC.
Point is, "under 20K" isn't much of a selling point if the car looks and feels like it's worth half that.
jake 6:26PM (8/20/2008)
Part out the rims, switch for some black ones and remove the stripe and this car actually isn't that bad.
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Brian 7:17PM (8/20/2008)
I agree with Jake, change the wheels to black and remove the stripe!
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porcupine 7:44PM (8/20/2008)
it's N2O, not N20. autoblog fails again.
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Jorge 7:27PM (8/20/2008)
Personally, this design for the focus doesnt appeal to me, so putting something else in it looks crappy. But If you got the eurofocus like the one we get in Mexico, this car shouldnt exist at all.
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