LAS VEGAS, Nov. 2, 2010 - Ford has revealed plans to leverage the
all-new
Focus for motorsports by supporting the development of a
next-generation touring car for global competition - the latest
indication of the company's comprehensive approach to leveraging its
global product platforms.
The move, announced at the 2010
Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, extends
Ford's reputation for offering race-capable, affordable platforms that
can be converted into a race car, including Mustang and most recently,
Fiesta.
That tradition will continue as the new Focus takes over
as Ford's global touring car, to be developed with private race teams in
cooperation with the company's global motorsports group.
"There
has been tremendous interest from the racing world about the new Focus,
and it's the perfect fit for a global touring car," said Jost Capito,
director of Global Performance Vehicles and Motorsports Business
Development. "Even more, by working with professional private race
teams, we're ensuring Focus has the support it needs to compete and
win."
The benefits of the Focus touring car will stretch beyond
the track.
"Ford's commitment to using motorsports to influence
high-performance vehicles will be highly evident, as the development of
the Focus touring car will benefit the upcoming Focus ST production
car," said Capito. "It's very similar to how the Mustang team was able
to apply learnings from the Ford Racing Boss 302R to the 2012 Mustang
Boss 302."
The first race appearance for the Focus is targeted
for the 2011 British Touring Car Championship. Globally, the race car
has the potential to run in many national and regional championships,
such as the China Touring Car Championship and 24-hour endurance races
like the classic Nürburgring in Germany. The global Focus race car will
be powered by Ford's EcoBoost
TM engine technology which will go into
production in the Focus ST.
Professional private race teams are
partnering with Ford to develop common technical specifications for the
race car, which will conform to FIA Super 2000 regulations with
potential to adopt to other regulations. The teams are being brought
together by Ford to determine their strengths and define roles for the
development of the race car. Ford also supports the race teams by
providing data, advanced engineering tools, state-of-the-art testing
facilities and production parts, resulting in teams racing more
competitive cars that are developed with greater efficiency.
New
global Focus has it allThe new Focus is the result of a global
product development program bringing together Ford's best engineers and
technology from around the world. The new Focus will be sold in 122
markets worldwide and manufactured in Ford plants in Asia, Europe and
North America.
All Focus models sold in North America will be
powered by Ford's most advanced naturally aspirated engine ever: a new,
2.0-liter gasoline engine equipped with direct injection and twin
independent variable camshaft timing - two important fuel-saving
technologies. A six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission will be
offered.
A Focus ST version also will be available, boasting
exhilarating performance and an addictive sound. Ford's first global
high-performance model, scheduled for 2012 launch and developed by
Ford's global performance vehicles team, will deliver a 2.0-liter
EcoBoost I-4 engine, lowered chassis, high-performance brakes and unique
suspension tuning. The standard transmission for the Focus ST is a
six-speed manual, optimized with sporting ratios matched to the
performance characteristics of the engine.
Ford's North American
engineering team is targeting fuel economy of 40 mpg highway for the
most efficient Focus model, equipped with an automatic transmission. The
new Focus will also offer North American consumers a full suite of Ford
technology - including Ford SYNC®, MyFord Touch", in-car Wi-Fi
capability, active park assist and rear view camera.
# # #
About
Ford Motor CompanyFord Motor Company, a global automotive industry
leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles
across six continents. With about 163,000 employees and about 70 plants
worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln and
Mercury, production of which has been announced by the company to be
ending in the fourth quarter of 2010. The company provides financial
services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information
regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.
Source:
http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=33499
