This original Focus RS was only available in Europe just under half (2147) of these were sold in the UK.įor decades, in the U.S., small cars like the Focus were seen as a tool to draw in younger buyers looking for a cheap basic transportation and to increase auto makers' fleet average fuel economies to meet U.S. Despite the development being carried out in the United Kingdom, Ford produced the Focus RS in the Saarlouis plant in Germany between 20 making a limited run of 4501 cars only. Tickford made substantial modifications to the base unit, with up to 70% of the base components either updated, re-engineered or completely redesigned. Tickford Engineering won the engineering contract for the research, development and to oversee production of the Mk 1 Focus RS. It came with a 2.0-litre turbocharged Duratec RS engine, a Quaife ATB limited-slip differential, an AP Racing clutch, and a revolutionary design front suspension strut system called "Revo-knucle"- as marketed by Ford, Sachs Racing dampers Brembo brakes, 18” O.Z Racing alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport tyres and a host of other performance changes, combined with a much more aggressive appearance, and was available only in Ford's Imperial blue. In 2002, Ford launched its highest performance version of the Focus, called the Focus RS. The car was launched as a three-door hatchback, four-door sedan, and five-door wagon a five-door hatchback debuted in 2001. The project manager for the Ford Focus at Dunton was Rose Mary Farenden.įord of North America began marketing the Focus in September 1999 for the 2000 model year, with some changes from the European version. The Focus Mk 1 was awarded the 1999 European Car of the Year award. This eleventh-hour dispute was resolved, however, and the car was launched with the name Focus.įord of Europe introduced the Focus in 1998 to the European market as a replacement for the Ford Escort. A last-minute problem arose in July 1998 when a Cologne court, responding to a case brought by the publisher Burda, ordered Ford to avoid the name "Focus" for the cars in the German market since the name was already taken by one of its magazines ( Focus). The decision to name the new car the "Ford Focus" was made in early 1998, as Ford's senior management had been planning to keep the "Escort" nameplate for its new generation of small family cars. Production of the fourth generation Focus began in 2018 in Germany and China. The original Focus was primarily designed by Ford of Europe's German and British teams. It was created under Alexander Trotman's Ford 2000 plan, which aimed to globalize model development and sell one compact vehicle worldwide. The Ford Focus is a compact car ( C-segment in Europe) manufactured by Ford Motor Company since 1998. Front-engine, four-wheel-drive (Mk 3 RS Only)įord Escort (Europe, North America and Argentina)
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