Ford stuns with new Focus rally car
2004-11-03 08:42
Ford and the British-based company M-Sport have forged a strengthened partnership to ensure Ford's continuing presence at the top level of world rallying and M-Sport, working with Ford Team RS, has produced this vision of an all-new Focus rally car.
The dynamic lines of the new Ford Focus, and especially the coupe-like stance of the 3-door model, provide the perfect base for the dramatic looking 2006 Focus RS WRC concept.
Sporting a proud blue oval livery the Focus 2006 RS WRC concept shares design cues with the existing Focus RS WRC that will be the Company's challenger in the 2005 championship.
The standard road car's prominent wheelarches are matched to a full width front spoiler and generous bonnet air vents. A roof mounted air scoop and a characteristic rear spoiler contribute to the functional WRC-inspired appearance.
Despite the WRC add-ons and design changes that draw strongly on the existing Focus rally car, the Focus 2006 RS WRC concept is markedly different with its faster rear screen angle, in particular, indicating a visually more aggressive rally car.
The unveiling of the Focus 2006 WRC concept signals the start of a 14-month programme that will see the fully developed rally car compete in the opening round of the 2006 season.
It is also the start of a four-year programme to develop the new Ford Focus into a challenger for WRC success.
Initially, this programme will run alongside Ford's existing WRC commitments throughout the 2005 season.