Dubbed the RC2 Concept, engineers have added a body kit and performance upgrades to give the standard Focus a much sportier look and feel. Included in the bodykit is a custom front fascia, a mesh grille, aggressive side skirts and a small rear spoiler for added stability. There’s also an updated suspension package, which features stiffer springs and larger sway bars.
A slight power improvement for the stock four-cylinder Duratech engine comes courtesy of dual-tipped exhaust and cold-air intake fed by a functioning hood scoop. No official power figures have been revealed but AutoWeek reports that power is likely up around 15hp (11kW) over the standard 143hp (106kW) 2.0L engine.
According to Saleen the car is designed to be sold as a 'starting point' for tuners to build on, which is why the performance mods have been kept to a minimum. Another Saleen division, SpeedLab, is already working on a new range of performance parts for the Focus as well as a number of other Ford models including the Edge SUV and Fusion sedan.
Reader Comments
Tue Aug 19 2008 4:04 PM
Laz says
This is a Jim Farley move to mimic the success the Scion brand had with the tuner folks...
Tue Aug 19 2008 4:04 PM
NoNameDenton says
Interesting concept, I remember the old Saleen tuned Focus, I was hoping that this would have more then 150 hp though.
Tue Aug 19 2008 7:12 PM
Thomas Russell says
The Focus coupe is a good place to start when building a performance car.
Tue Aug 19 2008 7:53 PM
chris says
uhm.. i own the focus coupe.. and i dont even know where to start with this. really. let's get something straight... if i were to mod a car for performace.. and it HAD to be ford, i sure as HELL would not start with a focus. i'd be going fusion, AWD. outside of the oval? speed3 or S40. I'd say S40 cause it's got that all important AWD.
but a 10 year old mechanical package, front wheel drive, 5 speed manual.. no factory boost, i mean cmon... this thing is an econobox. I love mine.. don't get me wrong.. but this is NOT the place to start. might as well go get an old cavalier at the junk yard or something.
or.. save your money and wait for ford to come out with the 3rd gen focus... globally. mark my words, ford will have a 300+hp AWD 6 speed sequential EVO focus to compete with the EVO mitsu and WRX STi.
Tue Aug 19 2008 8:31 PM
NoNameDenton says
Chris makes an excellent point, but the SVT Focus was pretty good and Ford of Europe makes some great performance Focus cars.
Tue Aug 19 2008 9:11 PM
burke says
Saleen better saves the money and does something better with it. This customized Focus doesn't have a sporty appeal at all. Ford had done a much better job on the Focus SVT, which was discontinued a while ago, I don't know why...
Tue Aug 19 2008 10:20 PM
NoNameDenton says
burke, the reason it was discontinued is because Ford is run by idiots who underestimate the American public and think we would never buy a hopped up compact from them, despite evidence to the contrary.
Wed Aug 20 2008 5:28 PM
chris says
noname.. close but no cigar.. the SVT focus.. or focus ST as it is known in its land of origin was run from 2002 to 2005 at which point europe got the new focus. we instead got a facelifted focus. between a slightly different engine bay, slightly different engine, and no need for that vehicle in europe... the "SVT" model was never produced for the first gen second revision focus..... plus the idea behind the ST is that it's a performance upgrade to be brought about mid life.. just like the Speed models from mazda. in 2005, we had a new focus so you had no SVT.. when europe got the ST on the second gen.. ford threw NA some scraps and dropped the 2.3L into the "first generation second revision" NA focus.. and told us to go on and have some fun. now we're on our third revision of the same car.. which is only going to last until 2011.. so don't expect a "facelift" or "performance pack" in the later years of this generation to get the product flowing again...
like i said.. 2011 is going to be a big year for focus lovers. the rest of the world will get a new focus.. we'll get it as well because our focus will be 12 years old at that point.. and ford will have to release an EVO model in order to remain in the WRC (and if you think ford is going to dump out of the WRC because they dont want to offer an EVO focus.. you're insane. ford and rally are like ferrari and F1).
Wed Aug 20 2008 8:31 PM
NoNameDenton says
I never said when it was produced, do not stick words in my mouth.
Wed Aug 20 2008 8:31 PM
NoNameDenton says
Your entire statement makes an assuption of things you precieve I said but didn't.
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