Autoblog

Next Ford Focus RS could see 330 horsepower

Zach Bowman — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Etc., Europe, Hatchback, Ford

Here's some fun news. Auto Express reports the next-generation Ford Focus RS could pack as much as 330 horsepower courtesy of a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. That's a substantial jump over the 247 hp found in the new Focus ST. Matthias Ton, the chief program engineer for global performance cars at Ford, admits the turbo 2.0-liter in the ST is too close to its power ceiling to glean any more grunt without a substantial revision of the turbo and fuel systems. If Ford decides to build another Focus RS, Ton continues, the hotter hatch will bow with a variant of the Ecoboost 2.3-liter.

The last generation RS hit showrooms with 301 horsepower from a turbo 2.5 five-cylinder, though the special-edition RS500 shown above poured 345 horsepower to the front wheels. Auto Express reports that if Ford does build the more aggressive RS, it will likely touch down with a new mechanical limited slip differential to help keep the car pointed straight and handle regular track abuse.

Next Ford Focus RS could see 330 horsepower originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Project Kahn, Cosworth squeeze 500 hp out of diesel Range Rover

Noah Joseph — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 14:04:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, SUV, Land Rover, Diesel, Luxury

Range Rover Sport RS500 by Project Kahn and Cosworth - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's a grand tradition to enormously powerful and torquey diesel sport-utes. Most of them come from the Volkswagen group - like the Touareg V10 or the Audi Q7 V12 TDI - but this, as you might have guessed, is no VW. It's a Range Rover, uut one that's been thoroughly worked over.

The modifications have been carried out through the joint efforts of Project Kahn and Cosworth - two British tuners that have been working together for the past couple of years. Their latest product started life as the thoroughly capable and luxurious Range Rover Sport with the 4.4-liter V8 diesel. With 313 horsepower, the diesel Rover is hardly a slouch, but Cosworth has taken it a step further (and then some) by squeezing out a whopping 500 horsepower.

To go with the massive upgrade in output, Kahn has given the Range Rover an extensive cosmetic update both inside and out, with new bumpers from and rear, side skirts, 22-inch wheels and an interior decked out in billet aluminum and perforated & quilted leather trim. Check it out in the high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: Range Rover Sport RS500 by Project Kahn and Cosworth

[Source: Project Kahn]

Project Kahn, Cosworth squeeze 500 hp out of diesel Range Rover originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Dec 2010 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ford of Europe shows how the Focus RS 500 comes together

Zach Bowman — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Videos, Hatchback, Ford

Ford Focus RS 500 on the assembly line - Click above to watch video after the jump

It takes quite a bit to build one of the world's hottest hatches. We are, of course, talking about the Ford Focus RS 500. While the car may start life as nearly identical to the standard Focus hatch, the hottest Focus quickly sets about a path of factory modification that starts with a unique hood and wraps up with a special intercooler, bodywork, spoiler and wheels - all slathered on by hand. In between, everything from the car's trick flexy bits to the wild 350 horsepower, turbocharged 2.5-liter engine make their way on board via the miracle of the assembly line.

How do we know all this? Ford has released a video, of course. The company recently churned out a quick flick detailing the production of the devilishly fast little hatch at its Saarlouis manufacturing facility. We even get a look at the guys and gals from 3M as they wrap the car in matte black vinyl. Hit the jump to enjoy.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Focus RS500

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Ford of Europe shows how the Focus RS 500 comes together

Video: Ford of Europe shows how the Focus RS 500 comes together originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Focus RS rolls off this mortal coil with WRC-style white wheels

Zach Bowman — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Budget, Performance, Hatchback, Ford, UK

Alas, poor Focus RS, we knew ye not at all. We're not sure which is the biggest tragedy - the fact that Ford never graced the U.S. with the joy that is the company's wild hatchback or that the three-door is already being sent out to pasture. Either way, buyers in the UK can now equip their new RS models with a set of slick rally-inspired wheels. For the low cost of just $741 at current conversion rates and including the Britain's notorious Value Added Tax, Ford will be happy to install a set of white, 19-inch WRC-style wheels. Of course, that's according to the press release. Something tells us the final price tag could be well north of that figure by the time the dealership gets through with you.

Ford's UK dealers have sold the company's entire allotment of RS 500 hatches, but a handful of the standard RS models are still hanging around. While the white rollers wouldn't completely make up for missing out on the 305 horsepower monster that is the hottest of the hot, they will certainly be a collectors item in a few years. Click past the jump for the press release.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford Focus RS rolls off this mortal coil with WRC-style white wheels

Ford Focus RS rolls off this mortal coil with WRC-style white wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With the Focus RS500 sold out in UK, Ford creates official upgrade kit for RS

Zach Bowman — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:20:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Hatchback, Ford, UK

2009 Ford Focus RS - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford committed an outright insult to humanity when it only produced 101 examples of the Focus RS500. Even at over $54,000 at current conversion rates, the cars sold out licked-split in the UK, leaving plenty of diehard Blue Oval fans without the hottest of the company's hatches. In an attempt to right that wrong, Ford has released an upgrade kit that will give the standard 305 horsepower RS the teeth it needs to run with the big-daddy RS500.

The engineers at Ford have managed to pull an extra 45 horsepower from the turbo I5 by swapping out the stock intercooler and air box for trick Ford Racing pieces, bolting on a higher volume fuel pump and remapping the stock ECU. The whole kit will set you back around $3,000, which means you could be in an RS500 clone for nearly $10k less than what the real deal would cost you. We'll take ours in Frozen White, please. Hop the jump for the press release.

Gallery: 2009 Ford Focus RS (green)

Gallery: 2009 Ford Focus RS (blue)

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading With the Focus RS500 sold out in UK, Ford creates official upgrade kit for RS

With the Focus RS500 sold out in UK, Ford creates official upgrade kit for RS originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Focus RS500 already sold out?

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Performance, Hatchback, Ford, Racing

2011 Ford Focus RS500 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Well, that didn't take long, did it? We knew the new 2011 Ford Focus RS500 would move fast, but not quite this fast. Powered by a 2.5-liter five-cylinder that produces 345 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque, Ford's hottest hatch one-ups even the already bonkers Focus RS with its piddly 305 horsepower and 325 lb-ft. Considering that the RS is capable of a 0-62 mile per hour sprint of under six seconds and a top speed of 163 mph, the RS500 should clock in around 5.6 seconds.

What we didn't expect was the fact that the RS500 would sell so quickly. With their matte black paint, 19-inch wheels and all that performance on tap, we certainly expected them to be a hot commodity, but if Autocar is to be believed, the whole run of 500 units has already sold out - some 12 hours after the reveal. Sales will be spread out over 20 European markets, with the UK getting 101 units, Germany getting 55 cars, France receiving 50 and Belgium scoring 50 units, with Denmark, the Czech Republic and Greece getting five units each, while Ireland receives three.

The best part of the story is the fact that all 500 units are already spoken for, even before prices have been announced. Ford is said to be sorting through the letters of intent from customers to figure out dealer allocations. And don't forget, the order books don't formally open until May. With the regular RS trading above sticker on the used car market, we're guessing there will be more than a few flippers in the initial owner group.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Focus RS500 (Europe)

[Source: Autocar.co.uk]

Ford Focus RS500 already sold out? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Focus RS500 hacks out onto the Internet ahead of schedule

Chris Paukert — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 09:55:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Ford, UK

2011 Ford Focus RS500 - click above for high-res image gallery

We've been waiting patiently for the digital reveal of the stonking new Ford Focus RS500, but apparently others aren't quite so couth. According to one of our inside sources at the Blue Oval, the RS500's site was breached and the pictures have begun leaking out onto desktops in Europe. In response, Ford of Europe has announced that "Due to overwhelming interest shown for the new Ford Focus RS500, Ford has decided to release more information today." Uh-huh. Admittedly, while we can't condone the hacker's methodology, judging by these photographs we can understand their hurry, because Ford's latest limited-edition hot hatch looks to be a real corker.

Powered by a 2.5-liter five-cylinder that gives 350 PS and 460 Nm of torque (that's 345 horsepower and 339 pound-feet to us Yanks), the RS500 offers an appreciable boost over the standard - and still bonkers - Focus RS and its 305 horsepower and 325 lb-ft. We're assuming that like the 'base' RS that all that power gets funneled through the front wheels, which, even with Ford's trick RevoKnuckle front suspension and Quaife limited-slip differential, figures to be something of a handful. An entertaining handful, we're sure, but a handful nevertheless. Ford hasn't released full details yet, but the current RS hits 62 mph in under six seconds and blasts to 162 mph.

If you see one of these beasties on the road (you'll know them by ~~the trail of dead~~ their 19-inch wheels and serialized one-of-500 dashboard plaques, and at least judging by the pictures above, their matte black paint), you might want to take ask for a ride - or at least take a picture. The entire 2011 production run will be spread out over 20 European markets, with the U.K. predictably getting the most (101 units), Germany getting 55 cars, France receiving 50, tiny Belgium punching above its weight with 50 units of its own, and trickling on down until the hatches get to the likes of Denmark, the Czech Republic, and Greece (five units each) and Ireland, which will receive just three.

If you're interested in picking one up and you live in one of the twenty EDM markets that the RS500 will be sold in, might we kindly suggest that you stop looking at your computer screen and get on the phone to your local dealer now? For everyone else, you'll want to check back on Wednesday, March 31 when Ford releases more information, along with added frippery like ringtones, video snippets and so on. Top tip, Helmut!

Gallery: 2011 Ford Focus RS500 (Europe)

[Source: Ford]

Ford Focus RS500 hacks out onto the Internet ahead of schedule originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Mar 2010 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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