2015 Ford Focus RS To Drop A Cylinder, Gain Two Doors

The Ford Focus RS won praise from the world’s motoring press for its sophisticated suspension design and gutsy turbocharged five cylinder engine.

Its muscular three-door body also attracted plenty of fans, and the Focus RS had just the right amount of “show” to match its “go”.

For the next generation model, rumour has it that the Focus RS will be built as a five-door hatch only, with a four-cylinder engine instead of the previous Volvo-sourced inline five.

Power from the 2.3 litre Ecoboost four-pot is expected to hover around the 240kW mark – 15kW above the last RS and well above that of competing hot hatches like the RenaultSport Megane and Scirocco R.

In fact, that’s more power than a

Ford calls 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine a “hero”

Ford says its 1.6-liter EcoBoost delivers the best of both worlds – “performance combined with lower emissions.” We won’t argue against that. No doubt, the 1.6-liter gasser is an impressive mill. Apparently, Ford is so thrilled with the versatility of its tiny four banger that it says 1.3 million of these engines will power at least six of its vehicles within the next three years.

Demand for the 1.6-liter EcoBoost is soaring, according to Ford. That’s why the automaker has announced that its Bridgen Engine Plant in the UK is working at full tilt to pump out the four-cylinder mill.

Despite its relatively small capacity, the 1.6-liter EcoBoost powers the Ford Focus from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.9 seconds, while returning near best-in-class fuel efficiency. The 1.6-liter’s impressive performance, combined with its fuel-sipping status, has led Ford to tag the engine a “hero” for the automaker.

http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/09/ford-calls-1-6-liter-ecoboost-engine-a-hero/

Ford Focus ST-R is ready for touring car battle

Ford sure is packing a hot hatch punch here at the Frankfurt Motor Show. First came the production-ready Focus ST five-door and Europe-only ST wagon, then came the pint-sized Fiesta ST concept, and finally, the automaker unveiled the Focus ST-R – a turn-key racecar available to order through the Ford Racing catalog.

That’s right – you can order the full Focus ST-R package from the Ford Racing catalog, word that should come as welcome news to weekend racers around the world. Ford has prepped its new Focus for touring car racing, adding things like a FIA-spec rollcage and a full host of track car enhancements.

It may not be something you can drive day-in and day-out, but then again, that’s what the forthcoming street-legal ST is for.

Ford reveals production 2012 Focus ST at 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show

 

Hot hatch fans have been waiting patiently for Ford to officially reveal its new Focus ST. Well, stop waiting and start securing your deposit, because the Blue Oval brand has finally pulled back the sheet and peeled off the camouflage. The 2012 Ford Focus ST will makes its global debut at this week’s 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, and we’ve got all the details on the hi-po hatchback for you right here.

The Focus ST features a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder under its hood, rated at 247 horsepower and an impressive 265 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission should pair nicely with the torque-loving engine, which Ford says was painstakingly tuned to produce exquisite engine and exhaust notes by its sound engineers.

For image galleries and full article please visit Autoblog.

Ford 1.0L EcoBoost three-cylinder finds a home in the Euro-spec Focus

Ford’s EcoBoost offerings may have started off big and powerful, but the Blue Oval is quickly moving towards small and thrifty. Ford will soon offer its smallest turbocharged offering yet, as a new 1.0-liter, three-cylinder has been announced in advance of the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The new EcoBoost engine will be available in the Ford Focus, C-Max and B-Max, and it will be available in 99 horsepower and 118 hp variants. A respectable 125 pound-feet of torque is available from a scant 1,300 rpm thanks to a turbocharger that can spool up to 250,000 revolutions per minute. Ford was able to extract so much power out of such a small, boosted engine thanks to improved twin variable camshaft design and an exhaust manifold cast that is cast into the cylinder head. And get this: While other EcoBoost offerings start with an aluminum block, the 1.0-liter includes an iron engine block, which isn’t only cheaper, it reduces engine warmup time by 50 percent.

The key benefits sought from engine downsizing, of course, are improved fuel economy and lowered emissions. In this scenario, Ford promises 120 g/km C02, which works out to right around 45.5 miles per gallon (U.S.) on the European cycle. That 120 g/km figure, in case you’re wondering, is identical to the much smaller Scion iQ, which gets a 36 city / 37 highway EPA rating. The diminutive engine will be fitted with five-speed and six-speed manual transmissions.

The three-liter EcoBoost will start off as a Europe-only affair, arriving early in 2012. Ford hasn’t announced any availability of this engine in the U.S., though presumably consistently high fuel prices could change that over time. Hit the jump to read over the Ford press release.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/12/ford-1-0l-ecoboost-three-cylinder-finds-a-home-in-the-euro-spec/

Ford Racing unveils Focus ST-R

Ford may be showing off its new Focus ST and ST Wagon, but there’s also something in store for those seeking a far more track-focused ride. The Ford Focus ST-R is a product of Ford Racing, and it will be made available to North American motorsports teams in the very near future.

The Focus racer has been homologated out of the gate to conform to U.S. and Canadian touring car racing specs, including items like an FIA-spec rollcage and a specifically tuned suspension tuned for track work. Ford has stated that it will eventually filter into other regions throughout the world, providing a turn-key racer to motorsports teams across the globe.

Besides helping professional racers, Ford Racing will take the knowledge gleaned from the Focus ST-R to develop performance parts for the roadgoing production Focus

What Torque Vectoring Really Means for the 2012 Ford Focus, and Why You Shouldn’t Get Too Excited About It

Ford today announced that all 2012 Ford Focus models will come with brake-based torque vectoring. What the Blue Oval is referring to is a system that selectively brakes the inside front wheel when cornering to keep that wheel from spinning.

Videos: Ford’s 2011 Explorer and 2012 Focus go off the wall

Ford has been testing its upcoming 2012 Focus extensively, and it’s already put the compact through 12,000 crashes in both the virtual and real worlds. Ford says that the Focus features advanced restraint systems as well as next-generation airbags that feature upgraded chest-protection technology. The C-Segment car is not stealing all the focus (*ahem*), however, because the all-new 2011 Explorer has clearly received plenty of attention from the safety engineers. For the first time in the Explorer’s history, it has landed on the IIHS list of Top Safety Picks.

Enough talking, because you’re ready for some automotive snuff films, right?

[Source: Autoblog, Youtube, Ford]

2012 Ford Focus equipped with brake-based torque vectoring

The 2012 Ford Focus is set to hit dealers early next year, and in addition to a cadre of standard and optional features, Ford is equipping every new Focus with its new breed of “torque vectoring control.”

Tattoos come into Focus – Literally – with Ford’s hot new small car

- The popularity of tattoos has turned body art into a fashion statement – especially among Millennials – and Ford is taking the trend one step further by offering car buyers a quick and inexpensive way to express themselves with tattoos for the new 2012 Ford Focus.

- Tattoos are not just body art anymore; customers will soon be able to express themselves with vehicle tattoos for the all-new 2012 Ford Focus

- Ford Custom Graphics will offer more than 200 unique vinyl wrap tattoos in an array of different colors for the new Focus at www.fordcustomgraphics.com

- Available in a variety of designs – from geometric patterns and racing stripes to whimsical imagery like splashes and swirls – the Custom Graphics offer the look of custom paint at half the cost

- Ford Custom Graphics are currently available for the Ford Mustang, Explorer F-150 and Fiesta

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