Ford Europe officially unveiled the all-new Focus RS WRC competition version today at the Bologna Motor Show. The
car is being displayed in the official team colors that will be used for the car’s competition debut at the Monte Carlo
Rally in January.
The WRC car is a competition version of the new Ford Focus ST. The car was designed and built in less than 12 months,
under the guidance of TeamRS Technical Director Christian Loriaux (pictured above alongside his pride and joy).
WRC is Ford Europe’s primary motorsports activity, and represents the beginning of a four-year commitment to the WRC,
which is introducing a new cost-cutting rules package for the 2006 season. With drivers Marcus Gronholm and Mikko
Hirvonen, the BP-Ford team is hopeful of logging rally wins in 2006, and possibly a championship as soon as 2007.
More pics and specs after the jump.
[Source: Ford]
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Engine: Ford 2.0-litre Pipo built I4 Duratec WRC engine. Four cylinders, 16 valves, two litres. Pi electronic
engine management system. Garrett turbocharger (with FIA required 34 mm inlet restrictor). Air intercooler. Catalytic
converter.
Power: 300 bhp at 6000 rpm
Torque: 550 Nm at 4000 rpm
Transmission: Permanent four-wheel drive with M-Sport designed active, centre differential. Pi electronic
differential control units. M-Sport / Ricardo five speed sequential gearbox with electro-hydraulically controlled
shift. M-Sport / Sachs multi disc carbon clutch.
Suspension: Front and rear: MacPherson struts (front) and Trailing-Arm (rear) with Reiger external reservoir
dampers, adjustable in bump and rebound. Fully adjustable fabricated steel links. Front and rear anti-roll bars. Cast
steel uprights. Ceramic wheel bearings.
Brakes: Gravel (front and rear): 300mm Brembo ventilated discs with Brembo four piston monoblock calipers.
Asphalt (front and rear): 370mm Brembo ventilated discs with Brembo eight-piston monoblock calipers.
Hydraulic handbrake; Adjustable front / rear bias.
Steering: Power-assisted high-ratio (12:1) rack and pinion. One and a half turns lock to lock.
Wheels: Gravel: 7in x 15in (magnesium) wheels with BF Goodrich 650mm tyres.
Asphalt: 8in x 18in (magnesium) wheels with BF Goodrich 650mm tyres.
Bodyshell: Unitary construction. Unique composite side panels. Welded T45 steel safety roll cage. Aerodynamic
rear wing. Unique front ?bumper? treatment.
Electronics: Full Pi chassis and engine data acquisition for on-event diagnostics and performance development.
Fuel tank: FIA FT3 tank, 94 litre capacity, located centrally.
Dimensions: Length: 4362mm. Width: 1800mm. Wheelbase: 2640mm. Weight: 1230kg minimum.