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New Delay To Hit Focus RS?
AutoExpress /Dan Strong
Nearly five months since its launch, rumours persist that Ford's Focus RS is still not ready for the road. Sources have suggested to us the latest problem to beset the car is an intermittent misfire that reveals itself at high revs.
In cold, damp conditions, our informant claims the turbocharged engine is prone to 'overboost', which causes more air to be forced in and more power to be produced. In certain situations this can reach a point where motor damage is a real risk, causing safety devices to step in and cut the ignition. This causes the misfire. Modifications to stop this are currently under review. It's likely the fix will require the redesign of a relief valve that would prevent too much pressure building up. But a Ford spokesman denied the claims, saying: "As far as we're aware, the first cars are being delivered to customers now. There are no engine problems that we know of. Production has reached 20 a day, and is accelerating towards our target of 30. The only thing slowing us down is the speed at which we are having the unique body parts delivered."
However, the amount of time it has taken to get the Focus RS to market is an embarrassment to Ford - and reminiscent of the MAV project originally destined to rival Vauxhall's Zafira. That model was first conceived in early 1998; our spy photographers even spotted the mini-MPV testing on the open road.
But the car fell foul of product planners, who felt it was not competitive enough and delayed its introduction. A key criticism was that it offered five, not seven seats. The revised MAV will now be launched later this year - although it will be based on an all-new Focus platform and still seat only five. A 4WD Cosworth edition, shown as a concept at the 2000 Detroit Motor Show, has also been delayed for the time being.
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Stacy94PGT
My first car was a 67 Mustang Coupe, 2nd one was a 67 Cougar XR-7, 3rd one was a 66 Mustang Coupe. Why did I get rid of these cars for ? I know why, because I'm stupid, stupid, stupid. 
My next Ford.....
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