Timmeh

Ford BP Rallye Sport will debut the 2004 version of the Focus RS World Rally Car in New Zealand next week fresh from last month's magnificent 1-2 finish in Mexico. The car is an evolution version of the all-new Focus RS WRC which made its first appearance on the Rally New Zealand exactly 12 months ago. It successfully completed the FIA's approval procedure at the end of last month in readiness for its maiden competition outing on the smooth and fast gravel roads of New Zealand's North Island.



Technical director Christian Loriaux and his engineering team at M-Sport have made several small, but important, improvements to the 2003 car. They have redesigned the front bumper to improve engine cooling, restyled the rear bumper and shaved 10kg from the weight of the body shell by using lighter front and rear wings. Cosworth Racing has also introduced weight savings to the Duratec R engine, as well as modifying the turbo and exhaust manifold and improving the con rod and piston assembly.



Victory in Mexico, round three of the FIA World Rally Championship, for Markko Märtin and Michael Park and second place for team-mates François Duval and Stéphane Prévot lifted Ford into a 10 point lead in the manufacturers' standings. Märtin is also tied for the lead in the drivers' championship going into the Auckland-based Rally New Zealand (15 -18 April).



Information and pictures from Ford's Press Release, Ford Rallye Sport.

Cheers.... Tim

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DarthFalcon

Is it just me, or is there a LOT of wasted space on the Ford rally cars?

I think the livery department has been on holiday for too long...

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"Blame it on the wind, the rain, the alien rocketships..."

Fordy

Love that front bar. Hopefully they can get another result in NZ.

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Timmeh

I think you've got to take into account that what you see is simply Ford's team sponsership, you then have to add all the required stickers provided to them at each rally, including numbers and each rally's sponser stickers, which take up a large amount of room. So while it looks bare there, there are alot more which go on every rally, especially around the front of the doors.

Also, for those familiar with the Focus, you'll notice the new rear bumper is very U.S spec, sticking out further than the Euro Foci.

Cheers.. Tim

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flavze

Hopefully none of the changes have any detrimental effects to the performance or durability of the car as they are looking good this year championship wise!

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UTE KILLER!! RIP. BA XR8 UTE 24/12/03 - 9/2/04
ED XR6 sedan for sale, manual, 145,000kays, green, stock standard. Good condition.
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slaine

Wow, I love that front bar too! Looks really, really aggressive, but ... I really don't like the design of that spoiler! Looks stupid IMO. Early focus wrc spoiler looked much better...

And what's with that rear bumper? Looks bloody huge.

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2003 Focus 1.8 LX
Mods: Darkest legal window tint, momo airleather race gear knob, Focus upper Deflector 2.0l auto, ST170 snorkel
Planned mods: exhaust, lowered suspension, 17" Alloys, clear ULTRA rear lights, clear ST signal lights, engine chip. (Induction gone due to RACQ refusal to insure)

JamesM

I can't spot any differences...!?