[hemidakota]

Panama hot: Turbocharged Ford Focus reportedly being developed



(Photo by John Johnson)
Here’s a little more on that Ford Focus with the giant hood scoop we showed you a while back. Sources tell us the car our spy shooter caught in the desert was “Project Panama,” a turbocharged version of the standard Focus 2.0-liter four.
We’re told the target for the hot Focus is the Dodge SRT-4, which will pack a 215-hp turbo 2.4-liter engine when it arrives early next year.

No specific word from Ford Special Vehicle Team, but we’re assured they’re doing what it takes to keep competitive in the market.

:twisted:

 

[SRT-Hunter]

Wow....the SCC scene is really getting exciting! Its gonna be interesting if its gonna be able to compete with the SRT-4 in terms of pricing....the SVT Focus model out now is only $800 less than the srt.

The American companies are starting to really give the imports a run for their money!! As far as right out of the box performance.

 

[Exhaust Depot]

That should be nice! Maybe ill get my hand on one of those too? hmm?

Next week im making the turbo exhayst setup for hte new protegie.

Its alot slower than the srt. has a very small intercooler.

 

[Slow5OH]

Ford just needs to bring over the RS already. I don't want a ZX3 with a turbo slapped on it.

-faast

 

[Black_Rain]

The American companies are starting to really give the imports a run for their money!! As far as right out of the box performance.

Word up to that...just some proof to all those people who said American companies would die and they are only good for making trucks...well check this stuff out....Mopar 4 life baby!

 

[cali]

I now await HONDA's response.

 

[hemidakota]

Ford just needs to bring over the RS already. I don't want a ZX3 with a turbo slapped on it.

-faast

This was my complaint to Suzuki little JWRC machine that will make it to European/Japanese shores. The Suzuki Iguis or 'S' concept that pumps out 260HP (JRWC) or street version 200HP but weigh-ins at 1953lbs and has the F1 paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

 

[hemidakota]

I now await HONDA's response.

Nothing but a Civic SI with 200HP at a higher compression ratio, which is not good for more than 3PSI boost if adding a turbo/supercharger.

 

[SRT-Hunter]

Im so over Honda.....I own a '00 civic si....and its a really well made car....but for the performance enthusiast, its just not enough. I think they really screwed up with the 02/03 Si....I dont know what they were thinkng, they moved backwards a step from the 99/00 si. Now they are gonna be playing catch up.

 

[Whitey]

i cant stand ford, and the focus...dont get me started. but its nice to see the american companies finally doing something to get the market looking at domestics again. dodge started it and ford looks thier about to join the market as well. the focus svt is a start...i guess. i just hope chevy does something soon before they get left behind. hopefully its not a turbo cavalier, but i guess it would beat nothing

 

[SRT-Hunter]

Why dont you like the Focus?? I dont really know much about them, so im kinda curious.

 

[Adamsdell]

I cant wait till later on in the year, late last year motortrend did a comparo of the civic si, sentra vspec, hyundai tiburon, focus svt, volkswagen golf, i cant remember the rest, BUT, just think later on this year when the srt is in a test like this, it will spank them all, unless someone has an ace in their car line up like the new civic si with 200hp, or that new focus, it will only get more interesting as this year goes on.

 

[SRT-Hunter]

i wonder when that new focus will be out

 

[rb6teg]

I now await HONDA's response.

Honda will never respond.....IMO (first post btw)........at least not with anything affordable. They don't do stock turbos on their cars, and they don't veer from the beaten path when it comes to trying new things. They are a very conservative company, just look at the new Si. They make extremely high quality cars with a little bit of performance, not balls out performance like the SRT-4. The only reason the integra type-R came out was to spice up the aging integra, and get people into the dealerships.

The only thing I could see Honda doing to compete, would be to bring out a new CRX for around 14-18 thousand. If they did it right, and made it light like the old CRX's instead of a beast like the new Si, and if they dropped the RSX-S engine into it, it could probably run with these turbo'd cars. Will it happen though? Probably not....like I said, Honda is too conservative.

BTW, how do you guys like your SRT's? DC really gained my respect with it, hopefully sometime I'll get to take one out for a drive.

 

[drizze99]

rb6teg, welcome to the board. Driving the SRT is a blast. Something everyone should experience at least once!!

 

[lifeisdeath]

that focus will not be near the srt-4. sorry.

even the rs is slower.

 

[Adrenaline Rush]

that focus will not be near the srt-4. sorry.

Why not? The Focus already handles very well. And rumour has it that the new Focus will be a 2.3 or 2.4 liter forced induction engine. It's going make things very interesting competition wise.

 

[SRT-Hunter]

The focus is like 2570 lbs. or something....SRT is close to 3000lbs. isnt it? Assuming the turbo Focus weighs relatively the same, will that weight diff help much?

 

[lifeisdeath]

that focus will not be near the srt-4. sorry.

Why not? The Focus already handles very well. And rumour has it that the new Focus will be a 2.3 or 2.4 liter forced induction engine. It's going make things very interesting competition wise.

well here:

http://www.b.morrisiam.btinternet.co.uk/focusrs_stats.htm

ford focus RS.

These figures are from the official press release issued by Ford on 6th August 2002.

Official Ford Performance Figures:

0-60mph in 6.4secs.

0-100mph in 15.5secs.

100-0mph in 4.1secs.

Top speed of 144mph.

EVO Magazine Performance Figures:
(Road tested at Millbrook Proving Ground in September 2002)

0-30mph in 2.5secs.

0-60mph in 5.9secs.

0-100mph in 14.9secs.

0-130mph in 32.6secs.

1/4 mile in 14.6secs/99mph.

0-100mph Comparisons:

Focus RS 0-100mph in 15.5secs.

Sierra Cosworth 0-100mph in 16.1secs.

Escort Cosworth 0-100mph in 17.4secs.

Subaru Impreza WRX 0-100mph in 16.9secs.

 

[SpitterGuy]

This is really interesting. My close friend owns a Focus ZX3, and he loves it. Personally I don't think it's bad at all. A little top heavy but in a perfect position for a high performance car! I think the American market has finally caught up to the "new age of buyers". Wouldn't be bad either, pump more money back into the economy... I think I better tell my friend to hold off on the Focus SVT idea, it'll be worth a wait (just like my wait :roll: )