Posted on 07 April 2010 by Scott Hayes
If you liked the special edition Ford Focus RS500 unveiled at the New York Auto Show and were hoping to buy one, we’ve got some bad news for you: it was sold out in just 12 hours after its official launch!
A Ford insider said that “this extraordinary situation occured despite Ford being forced to unveil the car almost 48 hours earlier than planned, meaning dealers were not aware of its existence.”
“From that moment on people were literally walking into dealers or calling them up and placing orders for the car,” said the Ford insider. “However, because we had to quickly bring the car’s launch forward we hadn’t even briefed the dealers on its existence. It led to some quite confused phone calls between dealers and head office.”
The Focus RS500 is powered by an improved version of the 2,5-litre 20-valve DOHC RS engine from the standard RS. The addition of an improved induction kit and a revised exhaust system will allow the engine to deliver a total of 256 kW (up from standard 224 kW) and a peak torque of 460 N.m. The result is a sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 260 km/h. The RS500 was limited to only 500 units.
Although limited to 500 units, maybe they will decide to change the name to the Ford Focus RS1000 and allow for a few more lucky petrol heads to see this car in their garage.
Posted on 06 April 2010 by Scott Hayes
Posted on 30 March 2010 by Scott Hayes
A hotter Focus RS500 will be produced to celebrate the end of Focus RS production. The car will be officially shown at the Leipzig Motor Show in Germany on 9th April. Production of only 500 cars starts in May at the Saarlouis plant in Germany and is due to finish in September.
Changes are mainly limited to the engine and trim. Power for the RS500 is increased by 32 kW over the standard RS and torque also rises to 460 N.m. An improved induction package is responsible for much of power gains. Modifications include a larger intercooler and improved airflow through air box as well as a larger diameter exhaust downpipe and uprated fuel pump. Changes to the ECU software allow the RS500 to retain the emissions and fuel consumption of the standard RS.
The revisions to the RS500 allow the 0 – 100 km/h time to fall to 5.4 seconds (0.5 secs faster) with big gains expected on in-gear times. Top speed is expected to remain the same at 260 km/h. Mechanically there are no other changes.
Matt Black bodywork sets the RS500 apart and starts life as standard Panther Black metallic before being shipped to specialist film manufacturer, 3M, who apply a film coating to create a matt black effect. Interior changes are limited to an individually numbered metal plaque, RS patterned trim and red stitching on the steering wheel, door trim, gear lever and floor mats. Red leather Recaro seats can also be specified as an option.
The Focus RS has been a big hit for Ford. Having initially only planned to build around 8 000, by the time the axe falls, over 11 000 will have left the Saarlouis faciility. Ford is promising to release further video content of the car in action later in the week.
Erectile Dysfunction
