Ford Focus Zetec S has entered the British market. The model is a sporty version of the popular hatchback based on the existing Zetec variation which will come with four possible engine options: the already well-known 123 hp 1.6 liter petrol, 113 hp 1.6 TDCi diesel and 161 hp 2.0 TDCi diesel units as well as a brand new 1.6 litre 4 cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost engine delivering 178 hp. This last one is obviously the most interesting unit of the lot, capable of pushing the Focus Zetec S from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.9 seconds with top speed of 222 km/h (138 mph) and only 139 g/km of CO2 emissions.

The Ford Focus Zetec S comes with a body kit that includes a front spoiler, lower sill extensions, rear spoiler and 17″ alloy wheels. The car also features a sport suspension with stiffened springs and dampers, aluminum sport pedals, rear LED tail lights and Ford Power starter button. The model should become available on other European markets this coming February together with a station wagon variation of the same model. In Great Britain, the Ford Focus Zetec S is on sale at 18,745,£ about 22,000€.

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It might seem a bit tough to challenge the Renault Clio RS Cup with the Ford Focus RS500 given the difference in performance specs of these two cars. The Clio has a 2.0-litre 16V engine with 203 hp and 215 Nm of torque, while the Focus’ 2.5 Turbo has 350 hp and 460 Nm of torque. Top speeds are also different with 265 km/hr against the 224 of the Clio, and the Focus RS500 is faster in the sprint to 100 km/hr at 5.6 seconds (compared to the Clio RS Cup’s 6.9 seconds).

You might be wondering at this stage what the whole point of pitching these cars against each is then, but Autocar says it wanted to find out whether Ford’s price premium of 35,000 pounds, which could buy nearly two of the Renaults, is justified. The test itself says the “poor Clio” can’t hope to keep up with the Focus RS500 in a straight line, which even sounds better than the French car.

Before you think this is just an excuse to take out two cars which sort of look like each other but can’t compete on an even playing field, the Renault Clio RS Cup does have its good points, only one of which is the price. Check out the video to see how they compare both on the road and the track. And whether the 35,000 pounds for the Ford is worth it.

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As you may well imagine, Volkswagen did very nicely in the European market for 2009, as did Opel and Ford (and there’s no prizes for guessing for which models). There are a couple of surprises though, with Fiat doing very well, but not with the Fiat 500, which makes a nice change, and Peugeot and Renault put in appearances as well. Check out Europe’s top ten cars for 2009 after the jump.

Continue reading: Europe's top ten cars for 2009

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The Ford Focus RS takes on the Nurburgring in this video, going at a spectacular speed, driven by Horst von Saurma from Germany’s Sport Auto magazine. The Focus RS lapped the Nurburgring in 8 minutes, 26 seconds, a big difference from the Focus ST with 225hp back in 2005 which did 8:51 minutes.

The Focus RS in Europe is equipped with a 2.5 litre turbocharged engine with 300 hp and six-speed manual transmission. It has a top speed of 26 km/hr and reaches 100 km/hr in 5.9 seconds. Check out the hot hatch in the video.

Source | CarScoop

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I don’t recommend you watch this video if you get car sick, but otherwise, let the race begin! At the wheel of this Opel Astra is Fabrizio Giovanardi, Vauxhall driver in the BTCC championship. While he’s the only one likely to drive an Astra like this, he beats the Volkswagen Golf and the Ford Focus, saying “get a move on” as he overtakes one. Over to the video.

Source | CarScoop

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The new 1.6 litre Ford EcoBoost will appear on the European market in three versions. The turbo compressed petrol engine with direct injection will debut in 2010 and will play a key role in the next C-Max and Focus range. The C-Max will have 180 hp, as already seen on the Iosis Max, and two less powerful variations will follow.

They will have 130 and 150 hp, and can be matched on request to a double-clutch Powershift transmission. Compared to the current aspirated options and equal power, fuel consumption is reduced by about 20 percent. That’s a big effort from Ford, and we’ll be interested to see a road test to verify.

Source | AutoWeek.nl

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The Ford Focus RS has the Renault Megane R26.R in its sights, as it gets back to pursuing records in the category of hot hatches, on the Nurburgring.

The French rival completed the Ring in 8′16″9 last year, and the 300 hp of the Focus RS will put itself to the test, with 70 hp more. Apparently a test car with 250 hp and Continental road tyres made 8′27″ on the track, so hopes are high for the Focus RS.

According to Ford, based on these figures, the Focus RS could get round in 8′15″ with standard tyres, reduced to 8′12″ with semislick options. We’ll wait and see what happens at the Nurburgring in spring.

Continue reading: Ford Focus RS looks to the Nürburgring for a record in the hot hatch segment

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The Ford Focus RS is unlikely to please everyone, with doubts about the rear and the interior of the car. And while the performance figures are impressive (0-100 km/hr in 5.9 seconds, a top speed of 250 km/hr), there are questions about just how to drive a front wheel car of 300 hp. After its debut at the Geneva show, Ford has released these additional new shots of its Focus RS.

Continue reading: Ford Focus RS new pics

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Here’s the first official video of the new Ford Focus RS and while we think you’d actually need to drive this snappy hot hatch to get a feel for its 300hp (and it may have been nice to have the lights on in this video), we’ll wait for dynamic footage to get a good idea of the 265km/hr top speed.

Continue reading: Ford Focus RS: first video

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The hot-hatch segment is really heating up as details on the Ford Focus RS escape from the guys at Ford Austria, and we’re left totally speechless. The arrival of the new Ford Focus RS sees a maximum speed of 265 km/hr, totally dispelling any ideas we had about nifty city cars that are easy to park.

The first half of 2009 should finally see the Focus RS available on the market, and in Austria at least, it will cost 39,000 euros. In addition to the peel-your-face-off-the-seat speed, acceleration is said to measure 5.9 seconds to reach 100 km/hr. Colours include Performance Green, Indianapolis Blue and Frost White.

The old Escort Cosworth looks like it just found its true heir.

Continue reading: Ford Focus RS: 265 km/h of maximum speed

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In the face of the economic crisis and oil costs, in England it has been seen again that no-one can really control what the heart desires. Two months after its launch at the London show, Ford has already collected 1000 orders for its Focus RS.

The 300hp sports car with front wheel drive has been requested by 40 percent of customers in the brilliant green of its presentation. This is an important recognition for the sports division at Ford, who has bet on the RevoKnukle system for the front suspension rather than employing all wheel drive, in order to create a direct replica of the Focus WRC rally car.

Source | Carscoop

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Its destiny was uncertain and information continuing to disappear: after all we’re talking about the heir to the Escort RS Cogsworth, a car with a strong heart and heavy feet. After having officially confermed its presence with a teaser Ford has begun to unleash onto the road the first models of the Ford RS, waited upon by fans as the first spring sun.

The two-colour duco and especially the air vents of the bonnet don’t deserve criticism for their gaudiness as in place is a 280hp with five cylinder turbo from Volvo origins. The only shame, according to rumours, is the presence of rear wheel drive, though it does have electronic differential. The debut, as already anticipated, should be in 2009.

Via | AutoExpress

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