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Originally posted by Joff
Focus WRC may become the concept for a proposed Focus Cosworth.

However the styling has been heavily criticised for looking like the efforts of a "Saxo-owning boy racer".

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Ford Rallye Sport has unveiled what it describes as its “most technically advanced and revolutionary rally car ever” – and it looks the business.

The latest evolution of the Focus RS WRC – with its big rear wing and sharp contours throughout - will make its competition debut on Rally New Zealand next month and team insiders say it will be significant improvement on the last year’s model.

At-a-glance highlights of the new car 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 a roll cage which far exceeds minimum FIA safety requirement

· 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 and transmission cooling

· Enhanced Digital Messaging System to relay data to the co-driver's dashboard display

· Revised hydraulic control system

The new car is the brainchild of technical director Christian Loriaux and is his first design since joining the team at the beginning of the 2003 season.

“If world Rally Cars can be described as stunning, then that is the word I would use to describe the new Ford Focus RS WRC,” said Loriaux. “The large rear wing and revised bumpers give the car a very contemporary look from the outside and much has changed underneath as well.

“We know that the new car is quicker than the old one,” he added. “We began with a clean sheet of paper and we’ve ended up with a radical, revolutionary car, which retains all that was good from the previous model.”


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