Ford’s latest and most dazzling super-hatch has clocked a very respectable time of 8 minutes, 26 seconds around the yardstick Nurburgring Nordschleife.
Utilising the 220kw turbocharged Duratec 2.5 litre five cylinder powering the front wheels only, the Focus keeps it’s cool through a special, limited-slip Quaife differential. The front suspension is also quite pioneering, called ‘RevoKnuckle. Wierd, but it apparently works; with a major reduction of torque steer and lift-off in such a high-powered front wheel drive.
FPV have denied access to bringing out (probably rebadged) RS variants over here. Instead, they wish to blaze a trail with their own series of models. Well, well, the ingredients are there, just don’t overcook them.
Do you think the driver is pushing as hard as he can? Maybe a few more seconds can be shaved off with someone else behind the wheel. After all, the Renault Megane R26-R did the same track in 9 seconds less with a fair whack less horespower. Either the above driver hasn’t done a proper job of wringing the RS’ neck, or all that power simply goes to waste through the front wheels.
