Saw this on the
RS Owners Club website and thought some might be interested
Welcome to the future for Ford's RS performance road cars. Within one year of the formation of Ford of Europe's TeamRS performance division, the concept for a radical, motorsport-inspired Fiesta RS is previewed at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show.
The unveiling of the Fiesta RS Concept is a surprise element in the portfolio of Fiesta performance vehicles under development within Ford of Europe. It joins the dynamic 150PS Fiesta ST and all-new Fiesta Junior World Rally Car in a demonstration of intent by Ford TeamRS to put the spice back into small Fords.
It is anticipated that a production version of the Fiesta RS Concept could be ready for the road in under 2 years following programme approval
Although the project is still in its early stages of development and public reaction will help determine its progress, power output for a production model of the front-wheel-drive Fiesta RS Concept would be in excess of 180PS , with a target zero-to-60mph figure of around 7 seconds.
"We aren't going to finalise technical specifications until we hear the feedback from potential customers," said Ford TeamRS Director, Jost Capito. "But, we're fully aware of the performance expectations for this type of vehicle and what our RS customers expect. As we look to fine-tune the concept we'll make sure we don't disappoint them."
Ford of Europe Vice President for Product Development, Derrick Kuzak, said: "This is a case where one plus one equals three. We wanted to demonstrate our commitment to a comprehensive programme for future performance cars, and to show that bringing together our motorsport engineers with our performance road car engineers in one team could yield even greater results than we dared to expect. By revealing three Fiesta performance models simultaneously, we're showing how serious we are."
The Fiesta RS Concept breaches no compromise on three fronts: body styling, road-holding, and engine performance. It is intended for drivers who want to explore the edge, and it is sure to inspire tuners who want to exploit its potential even further.
Key styling features first seen on the RallyeConcept have been retained, including distinctive cooling vents in the front bumper, deep side rockers and the bold rear spoiler. Like the RallyeConcept and the Fiesta JWRC, the Fiesta RS Concept also sports white ceramic-coated brake callipers and exhaust tips.
Its wide, hunkered stance with 18-inch JWRC-inspired alloys and low-aspect performance tyres sitting in generously extended wheelarches immediately communicate the performance purism you would expect from an RS-badged Ford. The wheel track measures just 20 mm narrower than the ultra-wide JWRC's stance, and the suspension is overtly sporting, reflecting an insatiable appetite for curves.
Under the bonnet, the Fiesta RS Concept's engine is derived from the 2.0-litre Duratec HE engine that is a mainstay of the Mondeo range. Ford engineers, led by Leo Roeks of TeamRS, have created the 150PS version for Fiesta ST and they believe a 180PS plus variant would be the entry level target for a production version of the Fiesta RS Concept. Roeks also believes that the concept's dynamic capabilities would allow aftermarket tuners to derive even more powerful versions.
"Fiesta RS Concept shows how we intend to continue to treasure the RS brand," Capito said. "We are staying true to the very roots of the Ford RS brand, with products that will appeal to the more extreme performance car enthusiasts. If we go ahead and produce the Fiesta RS Concept, it would join the new Fiesta ST to demonstrate how two distinct Ford performance brands can complement our mainstream models. I believe that future Ford performance cars will be true to their heritage and exploit to the full the outstanding vehicle dynamics that are recognised to be an intrinsic part of the modern Ford range."
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