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Ford’s Leading Investment in Australia Headlined by 257 kW Focus RS Hatch List Pricing Announcement

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2016 Ford Focus RS

Ford’s Leading Investment in Australia Headlined by 257 kW Focus RS Hatch List Pricing Announcement

MELBOURNE, 20 Oct, 2015 – Ford is investing more in Australia than any other automaker, including $300 million in R&D for the country’s only full product development team and even more to expand its line-up further with products such as the new Focus RS.

The high-performance 2016 Focus RS is expected to arrive in Ford dealerships from mid-2016, boasting maximum power of 257 kW / 440 Nm1 from its specially tuned 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine, mated to a sophisticated all-wheel drive system.

The Focus RS will have a recommended Manufacturers’ List Price (MLP) of $50,9902. Customers will also be able to equip their RS hatches with a special optional 19-inch performance tyre pack at a recommended $2,500 (MLP)3. Prestige paint is a recommended $4503.

“The Focus RS is the latest example of our expanded performance lineup in Australia and showcase of the Ford Performance team’s ambitious spirit that is a halo of our innovation locally and across the company,” according to Ford President and CEO, Graeme Whickman. “It delivers refined power, a high level of technology, advanced Ford Performance all-wheel drive and uncompromised driving dynamics that is true to the spirit of the RS nameplate.

“Delivering a car like the Focus RS is also the result of the enormous R&D investment the brand puts into its vehicles. In Australia alone, we’re investing more than $300 million in R&D this year, bringing our total R & D investment to almost $2 billion over the past six years.”

The Focus RS is the sixth new performance model in two years will sit as the halo performance hatch above the Fiesta ST and Focus ST and builds on a pedigree of driving excellence dating back to the first Ford RS in 1968. Apart from the Fiesta ST and Focus ST, other Ford performance vehicles include the Falcon XR6, Falcon XR8 and soon-to-arrive Mustang GT.

The Focus RS will be pitched into the high-performance hatch segment; with 51 kW more power than the VW Golf R and 36 kW more power than the Subaru WRX STi. As well, the Focus RS is more competitive in price than the Golf R and Renault Megane RS 275 Cup Premium.

Developed by Ford Performance, the Focus RS has a range of cutting-edge Ford technologies and a specifically tuned version of the new 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine. In the Focus RS it develops 257 kW @ 6,000 rpm and 440 Nm between 1,600 and 5,000 rpm.

“We are investing and innovating to take on the world’s best vehicles after pulling our various performance groups into the single Ford Performance global team,” says Jamal Hameedi, global chief engineer, Ford Performance.  “We are not limiting ourselves to similarly priced vehicles as we now have the singular focus to go after the best just as we are doing with the Ford GT at LeMans and the Focus RS global launch.

“At the same time, we have to deliver on Ford’s mission to bring innovation to the masses, not just a few.  So, the Focus RS is not only the most powerful performance hatch but it’s also the most affordable in Australia.”

All-out performance
EcoBoost is at the forefront of the LZ Focus RS and this fuel-efficient technology is shared with more than 80 per cent of Ford Australia’s product line-up.

Visually, the LZ Focus RS has its own unique exterior appearance, which gives the vehicle a more muscular and powerful character. The design has also been optimised around the more extreme functional requirements for the RS, including cooling for the engine and brakes and aerodynamic performance. RS design features include:

The interior has a very distinctive RS character with a host of special sporting features and detailing. The unique RS interior features include:

EcoBoost Engine
The new 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine for the all-new Focus RS shares its fundamental structure with the all-aluminium four-cylinder engine in the all-new Ford Mustang.

The specially tuned 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine has been engineered specifically for the Focus RS, including a new low-inertia twin-scroll turbocharger with larger compressor that delivers significantly greater air flow, along with a much bigger intercooler. Peak turbocharger boost is 23.2 psi.

Engine breathing also is enhanced through a less restrictive intake design, and a large-bore high-performance exhaust system with an electronically controlled valve in the tailpipe that helps optimise the balance of back pressure and noise output.

The cylinder head is produced from an upgraded alloy material capable of withstanding higher temperatures, while the cylinder block employs stronger high-tensile cast iron liners.

Engine cooling also has been given the highest priority, with engineers creating additional space within the front of the vehicle to house a significantly larger radiator pack – the biggest ever fitted to a Focus – which provides the level of cooling demanded for intense circuit driving.

Meticulous calibration work has ensured that the power unit delivers excellent low-end responsiveness with a powerful mid-range pull. In its European state of tune, maximum torque of 440 Nm is delivered between 1,600 and 5,000 rpm, with 470 Nm available for up to 15 seconds on transient overboost.

Inspiring performance demands an inspiring soundtrack. Ford Performance engineers have tuned the RS to deliver a rewarding and sporty sound character during spirited driving, with the distinctive burbles and pops that are a RS signature.
The table below outlines the engine/transmission details:

Focus RS

2.3-litre EcoBoost

Cylinders

4

Transmission

6-speed manual

Maximum Power

257 kW @ 6,000 rpm

Maximum Torque

440 Nm @ 1,600-5,000 rpm

Recommended Fuel

95-98 RON

Fuel Economy

8.1 litres/100km4

CO2

190 g/km4

Tyres

235/35 R19

Kerb weight

1,575 kg

Tare mass

1,543 kg

GVM

2,025 kg

Fuel tank

52.6 litres

MODEL FEATURES

Powertrain:

Mechanical:

Exterior:

Interior:

OPTIONS
The following option is available with the LZ Focus RS:

PERFORMANCE WHEEL PACK
The wheels and tyres in this optional pack are designed to improve the Focus RS on track performance while still being suitable for every day road use.

Wheels

Tyres

· *Prestige paint is an option that incurs and additional charge

· PRICING
The Manufacturer List Pricing (MLP) for the LZ Focus RS is:

 

Recommended Manufacturer List Price (incl GST)*

RS Hatch

  

2.3-litre GTDi Petrol Manual

$50,990
 

Recommended Manufacturer List Price (incl GST)*

Option

  

Prestige Paint

$450

Performance Wheel Pack

$2,500

· 1Power figures measured using premium fuel (95RON).
2This is the Manufacturer’s List Price for the vehicle only.  Prices shown include GST/LCT. A number of other components, including a dealer delivery fee, stamp duty, registration, compulsory third party insurance and other statutory charges may be payable by a customer in relation to the purchase of this vehicle.  The final transaction price will be as negotiated by the customer with their chosen Dealer.
3Recommended Manufacturer’s List Prices only. Prices shown include GST. The actual selling price for options and accessories (fitted or unfitted) is at the dealers’ discretion.
4Note: Figures obtained from controlled tests using ADR 81/02.

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