Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[2009 MSE/TeamRS Ford Fiesta debuts at European Rallycross Championship]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/22/2009-mse-teamrs-ford-fiesta-debuts-at-european-rallycross-champi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/22/2009-mse-teamrs-ford-fiesta-debuts-at-european-rallycross-champi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/22/2009-mse-teamrs-ford-fiesta-debuts-at-european-rallycross-champi/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


2009 MSE/TeamRS Ford Fiesta Rally-Cross - Click above for a high-res image gallery

'Tis the season for introducing new race cars, and the latest up to the plate is the new Ford Fiesta Rally Cross. For the uninitiated, rally cross is a unique form of motorsport that differs from World Rally Championship events principally by fielding several cars (instead of one at a time) on a mixed-surface track in heats and stages. The format actually started as a television show in the 60's, and has since grown from there, particularly in France, Great Britain, Benelux and across Scandinavia. The most intriguing part is that the cars, compared to WRC cars, are smaller and even more powerful, making for one heck of a spectacle. And this is the latest addition to the grid.

Based on the new Fiesta, Ford's TeamRS and Swedish rally team MSE built this widebody monster around a 2.0-liter Duratec turbo four snorting E85 ethanol to produce a massive 550 horsepower. That's enough to push the 2,600-pound rally-prepped Fiesta up to sixty in a scant 2.8 seconds. The car is driven by former champion Andreas Erikkson and double World Rally Champion Marcus Gronholm, and it managed to take a heat win in its debut event at the European Rally Cross stage at Lydden Hill, UK, despite suffering from some technical teething problems. Check it out in the gallery below.


Gallery: 2009 Ford Fiesta Rally-Cross debut at Lydden Hill


[Source: TeamRS via Autofiends]

2009 MSE/TeamRS Ford Fiesta debuts at European Rallycross Championship originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>european rallycross championshipEuropeanRallycrossChampionshipfiestafordford fiestaford fiesta rally crossford fiesta team rsFordFiestaFordFiestaRallyCrossFordFiestaTeamRsrally crossrally-crossRallyCrossteam rsTeamRsWed, 22 Apr 2009 08:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill Entry No. 3,256 - North America could get next-gen Ford Focus RS]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/06/rumormill-entry-no-3-256-north-america-could-get-next-gen-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/06/rumormill-entry-no-3-256-north-america-could-get-next-gen-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/06/rumormill-entry-no-3-256-north-america-could-get-next-gen-for/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


2010 Ford Focus RS - Click above for a hi-res gallery

Could the North American market finally get the Ford Focus RS? According to the latest reports, it could happen. But not until after the next-generation model debuts in a couple of years. Like the new Fiesta, the next Focus is being developed as a global product, with the North American market in mind as much as those overseas. And with the amalgamation of Ford's performance divisions in the United States and Europe - SVT and Team RS, respectively - an RS version could reach American shores in a few years' time.

According to Automotive News, Ford's global performance guru Hermann Salebauch says the potential for a U.S.-market Focus RS depends entirely on demand. That is, if enough American buyers want an RS, it could happen. So what do you think, should Ford give its home market a smokin' hot hatch based on the next Focus? Leave your thoughts in the comments section because... well... who knows?


Gallery: 2009 Ford Focus RS (green)


Gallery: Paris 2008: Ford Focus RS LIVE


[Source: Automotive News]

Rumormill Entry No. 3,256 - North America could get next-gen Ford Focus RS originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 focus2011 ford focus2011Focus2011FordFocus2012 ford2012 ford focus2012Ford2012FordFocusfocusfocus rsFocusRsford focusford focus rsford rsford team rsFordFocusFordFocusRsFordRsFordTeamRsnext-generation ford focus rsNext-generationFordFocusRssvtteam rsTeamRsMon, 06 Apr 2009 13:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford reportedly turning its back on production Fiesta RS]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/31/ford-reportedly-turning-its-back-on-production-fiesta-rs/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/31/ford-reportedly-turning-its-back-on-production-fiesta-rs/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/31/ford-reportedly-turning-its-back-on-production-fiesta-rs/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



The Ford Fiesta RS has been canceled before - back in 2005 - and yet the rambunctious little hatchback lived to tell the story. Rumor has it that the hottest Fiesta has been canceled again, but these being changed times (and coming on the heels of news that the factory-tuned Fiesta ST has been canceled) it will be much more difficult for the even hotter RS to play the resurrection game.

If this news is true, the reasons for the RS being canned are the same as it was the time: meager profit potential. The Fiesta ST reportedly has a chance of being revived in 2012, but until then, it's apparently standard models for everyone.

[Source: EVO Magazine via 4 Wheels News]

Ford reportedly turning its back on production Fiesta RS originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coupeeuropefiesta rsFiestaRsfordford fiesta rsford ukFordFiestaRsFordUkhatchbackjost capitoJostCapitorsrumormillteam rsTeamRsukTue, 31 Mar 2009 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford names new head of SVT and TeamRS, performance models to be developed globally]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/04/ford-names-new-head-of-svt-and-team-rs/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/04/ford-names-new-head-of-svt-and-team-rs/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/04/ford-names-new-head-of-svt-and-team-rs/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Focus RS

Ford's goal of designing products to be sold both Stateside and abroad could finally include some of its hottest European offerings with the appointment of Jost Capito to the newly-created position of director of global performance vehicles and motorsports business development.

While we've had to adore models like the Focus RS from abroad, Capito's new gig overseeing and consolidating both the North American Special Vehicle Team (SVT) and the European TeamRS means that crosspollination between the two performance brands is assured.

Capito -- a Dakar Rally veteran and former engineer for BMW and Porsche -- has been with Ford of Europe since October of 2001, and managed Ford's European motorsport and performance vehicle programs from 2003 through 2007. During that time, he was instrumental in Ford's WRC campaign and helped to bring the Fiesta ST, Focus ST and Focus RS to market. Capito will be moving from the UK to Dearborn, Michigan before he takes the reigns in January next year, and we're hoping to secure some time with the new exec to hear his plans for the future of Ford's performance products.

Gallery: 2009 Ford Focus RS (green)


Gallery: Ford Fiesta ST Mountune

Continue reading Ford names new head of SVT and TeamRS, performance models to be developed globally

Ford names new head of SVT and TeamRS, performance models to be developed globally originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordjost capitoJostCapitospecial vehicles teamSpecialVehiclesTeamsvtteam rsteamrsThu, 04 Dec 2008 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Latest Ford Focus ST arrives in the UK]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/28/latest-ford-focus-st-arrives-in-the-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/28/latest-ford-focus-st-arrives-in-the-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/28/latest-ford-focus-st-arrives-in-the-uk/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the new Ford Focus ST

Today's reminder of how much more awesome the Euro-market Ford Focus is than our own comes from Ford UK, where the latest, greatest Focus ST goes on sale starting Thursday. As you're probably well aware, in ST trim the newly-restyled Euro Focus gets the once-over from Ford Europe's in-house tuning arm, TeamRS. The standard engine offerings are replaced by a turbocharged 2.5L five-banger underhood that's good for 225 PS (around 223 hp), is mated to a six-speed stick, and lets the Focus ST do 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.8 seconds. According to Ford, the new ST also lapped the Nordschleife in 8:35. The exterior is dressed up with 18-inch wheels, the expected body kit and available racing stripes. Inside, the proper cockpit gets a push-button starter and Recaro seating. Depending on the ST trim level selected (there are three) and available options chosen, you can add all manner of comfort and convenience features to the spiffy-looking pocket rocket. Even Bluetooth... but not SYNC. Something tells us the Brits aren't crying in their beers over this.

Yes, we know that the next-gen Focus will be global and that the U.S. will share the same car sold in Europe. No, that doesn't make looking at this any easier in the meantime. Ford's official missive is pasted after the jump.

Gallery: 2008 Ford Focus ST


[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Latest Ford Focus ST arrives in the UK

Latest Ford Focus ST arrives in the UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008 ford focus st2008FordFocusStfocusfocus stFocusStford focus stFordFocusStnew focus stNewFocusStstteam rsTeamRsMon, 28 Apr 2008 13:28:00 EST