Ford Focus WRC07

[JAM]

Ford is testing the new Focus in Sardinia. I'm surprised by not seing any mention on this forum. A picture from the portuguese AutoSport site:

http://autosport.clix.pt/users/0/51/7df2a24b.jpeg

http://www.autosport.pt

[mdesign]

Apart from the front bumper, it seems similar to the actual version. Under the bonnet it might be a different story :)

[jparker]

Apart from the front bumper, it seems similar to the actual version. Under the bonnet it might be a different story :)

Well, the windshield says "Feel the difference" :D

[White Sauron]

Apart from the front bumper, it seems similar to the actual version. Under the bonnet it might be a different story :)

Also you can notice that the rear wing changed a bit. Previously the low part of it was straight pointing at the ground. But now it's curved to the body of the car, like it was on the 206 WRC or the Xsara WRC...

[Brother John]

So this is the next champions car! :D ;)

[WRCfan]

Go the Ford!!! Hunt down those French skud missiles!

[tribefiend]

I'm not real excited about the new lines in the front bumper. It takes away from the smoothness of the 06 car. I'm sure it'll haul a** though.

[Donney]

I like the front bumper it looks more agressive. I hope it proves to be a great car and provides us with plenty of nice battles for the win.

[grugsticles]

As long as it beat Loab, im happy.
Id be even happier if it had a Subaru badge on it :P

[Roy]

As long as it beat Loab, im happy.
Id be even happier if it had a Subaru badge on it :P

It is oval... ;)

[Davide78]

Well, JAM, the news was written in this forum.
In the discussion "WRC Testing" at the page http://www.motorsportforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112600&page=14 there is a post by me dated 24th April reporting about Gronholm tests here in Sardinia.

I didn't open a new discussion as there is already one open to post news about WRC Teams tests....

[JAM]

Well, JAM, the news was written in this forum.
In the discussion "WRC Testing" at the page http://www.motorsportforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112600&page=14 there is a post by me dated 24th April reporting about Gronholm tests here in Sardinia.

I didn't open a new discussion as there is already one open to post news about WRC Teams tests....

Dear David

This is not a thread about a regular test, this is a thread about a new car that was seen for the first time testing. That's why i opened a new thread. The first test of a new car is very different from the 10th test from C4 ou Impreza, because is the first time we see the new focus.

I'm a surprised because nobody put pictures from this test and almost nobody was talking about it. This is a new car and the only car that can challenge the Citroen and save the interest on WRC 2007. This is a very important car IMO.

[Finni]

Dear David
I'm a surprised because nobody put pictures from this test and almost nobody was talking about it. This is a new car and the only car that can challenge the Citroen and save the interest on WRC 2007. This is a very important car IMO.

That is eloquently put. I agree.

Btw: there is some kinda weird rumours that Marcus would be going to Suzuki.

[1LM1]

Go the Ford!!! Hunt down those French skud missiles!

Could you not associate the word "French" with the word "skud" please?!! LOL
I know you didn't mean anything special but I would prefer the image of "patriot" missile if you want to make a metaphor as France is, as you know, an ally of the US, not a friend of the evil (I remind people that the skud was Saddam's favourite missile).

[Roy]

Btw: there is some kinda weird rumours that Marcus would be going to Suzuki.

:roll: :laugh:

[jonkka]

Could you not associate the word "French" with the word "skud" please?!! LOL
I know you didn't mean anything special but I would prefer the image of "patriot" missile if you want to make a metaphor as France is, as you know, an ally of the US, not a friend of the evil (I remind people that the skud was Saddam's favourite missile).

It is SCUD, not skud. Does Exocet ring any bells, outside Royal Navy and US Navy?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scud

[Davide78]

Oh yes JAM, you're right!

It could be the new Focus but it could be "just" an aerodinamic (even if big!) evolution of the present one. Maybe Ford was so able to keep for itself the important news of the full Focus evolution, as I think, like you do, considering how difficult to know something about tests is. Maybe Ford chose Sardinia just to stay more confidential as possible.

However who told me about those last Ford tests here in Sardinia didn't notice anything new as the days they were there Gronholm was using his usual present Focus. It could thus be a comparative test between the 2 cars (using some days the present Focus, some other days the new one).

[Mauri A]

It is SCUD, not skud. Does Exocet ring any bells, outside Royal Navy and US Navy?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scud
Should it be Exorcet?
Bells are ringing in Finnish Air Force nostoväki!

[Roy]

Focus ready for Finland/second part.

Hirvonen about the car:
"During the rally we can see how fast this baby truly is. However I feel like its' bit more agile and turns better to corners than the previous version, Hirvonen analyzed.
The car is also lots of stable and better to handle in high speeds, which is very improtant."


http://www.mikkohirvonen.com/news070705.php

[WRCfan]

Could you not associate the word "French" with the word "skud" please?!! LOL
I know you didn't mean anything special but I would prefer the image of "patriot" missile if you want to make a metaphor as France is, as you know, an ally of the US, not a friend of the evil (I remind people that the skud was Saddam's favourite missile).

Sorry didn't mean anything bad of course, I just see the SCUD missile as being associated with "fast" "deadly" "accurate". All good things for a WRC car. I have the upmost respect for the French marque and Sebastien. One of the nicest guys to meet in the championship. Always willing to have a photo with you and give you a little bit of time.

Im just a patriotic Marcus and Mikko supporter haha.

[Roy]

Apart from the front bumper, it seems similar to the actual version. Under the bonnet it might be a different story :)


Christian Loriaux:
“It is important not to think of the Focus RS WRC 07 as a new car in the same way that the 2003 or 2006 models were.”

“Much of our thinking has concentrated on weight, and the modifications we have introduced save almost 20kg. This allows us to position ballast in the areas where we want to distribute the weight to maximise the handling and balance of the car.”
http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~4~id~151462.htm

Tech elements:
http://www.crash.net/feature_view~cid~4~id~11718.htm

I don't see spectucalair differents in tech specification between WRC07
http://www.crash.net/news_view~cid~4~id~151458.htm
and WRC06
http://www.stobartmotorsport.com/spec_focus_06.asp