New Focus WRC03

[GilesGuthrie]

Check this out: what a beast!

From www.fordrallyesport.com:
This is the Ford Focus RS WRC 03 - the most technically advanced and revolutionary rally car ever....


The new Focus RS is radically different in both looks and mechanics to the car which competed on the opening three rounds of the 2003 championship. Technical director Christian Loriaux and his engineering team at M-Sport have added significant performance improvements to the most dependable and reliable car in the championship and a stunning new aerodynamic package gives the Focus RS an eye-catching contemporary look.

Highlights of the new Focus RS include:

* Radical changes to styling and aerodynamic package to increase performance on faster rallies
* New rear suspension system
* Improved weight distribution
* Weight savings throughout the car
* New body shell and roll cage which exceeds minimum FIA safety requirements
* New lightweight engine developed and built by Cosworth Racing with improved response and more top end power
* Revised wiring loom and electronic control system
* More efficient engine cooling
* Enhanced Digital Messaging System to relay data to the co-driver's dashboard display.

 

[-Fred-]

Whoa, that front bumper is mean! I wonder if they'll have to rework the road going Focii's to make it legal?

Seems that, looking at the picture, it has a rear wing similar to the one on the 206. It looks like a somewhat diluted Group B racer!

 

[Wastegate]

Originally posted by PunkRock
Whoa, that front bumper is mean! I wonder if they'll have to rework the road going Focii's to make it legal?

I believe it's based on the American version of the Focus SVT170 which has a different front bumper than the European version they've used before.

 

[-Fred-]

The Focus SVT's front bumper is nothing interesting.

The one on this RS looks like it's borrowing heavily on the Fiesta Concept.


Anyhow, Subaru might want to rethink their strategy. Once the Fabia comes in, they'll have the biggest car in the field.

 

[Wastegate]

If you think the front wing looks mean, what do you think of the new rear wing?

http://www.wrc.com/en_GB/Gallery/Photo/2003/003/2003_R_NZ_FordRearWingDetail.htm

evil or what?

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Originally posted by Wastegate
I believe it's based on the American version of the Focus SVT170 which has a different front bumper than the European version they've used before.

I think that the rules only pertain to the physical dimensions of the bumper, not it's actual design. Therefore, by using the US bumper, which is bigger because of the different frontal impact laws, Ford have enough 'room' into which they can put their evil design.

That rear wing looks quite grim!

 

[vat_man]

Once again, we're seeing aerodynamics playing an increasingly important role in a 'production' car based formula.

Oh well - being rallying I guess there's no concerns about loss of downforce when trying to overtake.

 

[Matrixhasu77]

For a Ford Compact, I like the looks of that thing!

 

[Cobraking]

thats awsome!!!!!

 

[Vasco]

Looks quite mean, might put some fear into the competition

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Originally posted by vat_man
Once again, we're seeing aerodynamics playing an increasingly important role in a 'production' car based formula.

Oh well - being rallying I guess there's no concerns about loss of downforce when trying to overtake.

I think we've been seeing that since Peter Stevens sussed out the problem of a sideways-moving car losing all of its downforce, which he did with the 22B.

The worrying trend for me is that of increasingly smaller cars - after all, it's inherently harder to protect the crew if the car is physically smaller, and therefore has less room for the roll cage and for deformation.

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by GilesGuthrie
I think we've been seeing that since Peter Stevens sussed out the problem of a sideways-moving car losing all of its downforce, which he did with the 22B.

The worrying trend for me is that of increasingly smaller cars - after all, it's inherently harder to protect the crew if the car is physically smaller, and therefore has less room for the roll cage and for deformation.

Good point - now that the largest car in the field (Skoda) is moving to a smaller size, we're seeing all of these small compacts running around - I do miss the diversity of the old Group A cars - Legacy, Sapphires, Celicas, Integrales - there was a great mix.

 

[MistaY]

That bonnet looks exactly the simmilar to the Focus cosworth prototype that they have been showing around recently.

As for the WRC car, it looks mean.

 

[PhameWRC]

now if only the us could have a cosworth focus..thats an agressive looking air dam

 

[ewok]

i hope the us does get the cosworth focus 300hp twin turbo awd omg I'm excited!