2011 Ford Focus RS500

2011 LIMITED EDITION FORD FOCUS RS500

COLOGNE, March 31, 2010 – A new and powerful limited edition Focus RS model,
called the RS500, is being launched as the ultimate performance Ford and will provide the
definitive driving experience for serious performance car enthusiasts.

Making its global debut at the 2010 Leipzig Motor Show in Germany on April 9, the new
model has been given the RS500 designation to highlight its strictly-limited production run
of 500 individually-numbered vehicles, all of which will be offered for customers to
purchase.

The new Focus RS500 features a muscular 350 PS 2.5-litre 5-cylinder engine, which
generates 15 per cent more power than the standard Focus RS and delivers truly
exhilarating performance.

The RS500’s breathtaking power is matched by an equally dramatic appearance. The
limited edition model sports a unique matt black 'foil' paint finish with matching alloy
wheels to deliver a powerful visual impact which is unlike any other production Ford.

“We were determined to mark the end of production for the current and acclaimed Focus
RS with something even more special,” said Joe Bakaj, Ford of Europe's vice president for
Product Development. “From its stunning looks to its intoxicating performance, we have no
doubt that the RS500 will be appreciated and quickly snapped up by performance car
enthusiasts.

“This vehicle joins a long line of iconic RS Fords and is a worthy recipient of the RS500
name, which became synonymous with success on the road and track with the legendary
Sierra RS500 Cosworth that dominated saloon car racing during the late 1980s,” Bakaj
added.

Strictly Limited Production Run of 500 Individually Numbered Vehicles

The RS500 marks the end of production for the current generation Focus RS, with the last
vehicles scheduled to leave Ford’s Saarlouis Assembly Plant in Germany during September
2010.

While overwhelming customer demand has ensured that total Focus RS output is expected
to exceed 11,000 units (significantly more than the 7,000 to 8,000 originally forecast),
production of the RS500 will start at Ford's Saarlouis plant in Germany during May and
will be strictly limited to 500 customer vehicles for twenty European markets.

Each RS500 will carry a metal plaque on the centre console, hand-engraved with a unique
identification number from 001 to 500.

A small number of pre-production vehicles produced for internal Ford use – such as
product development or press demonstrators – will have their own unique numbering
scheme, to ensure the exclusivity of the 500 customer cars.

Demand for the RS500 is expected to exceed supply by a considerable margin, and the full
production run of just 500 vehicles is being allocated across 20 European markets in line
with the anticipated level of interest. For some countries, the very small number of vehicles
allocated means the RS500 will, indeed, be a very exclusive purchase for its customers.

A dedicated website – www.focusrs500.com – will allow customers and enthusiasts to gain
further information, including projected quantities of available vehicles by market, plus
access to download photography and video clips. The site will also provide links to national
Ford websites so customers can identify dealers and prices.

Focus RS also has its own Facebook page – www.facebook.com/fordfocusrs – with more
than 13,500 fans from across the world, and RS500 launch activities will be shared on this
site.

Upgraded 350 PS Powertrain

“The more urgent engine sound and sheer thrust of the mid-range performance tell the
driver immediately that this is not a standard Focus RS,” said Gunnar Herrmann, Ford’s
Global C-Car Vehicle Line Director. “With 15 per cent more power and the same gutsy,
sporting character, our new powertrain gives the RS500 the special engine it deserves.”

To provide the RS500 with a fitting power unit, the 305 PS turbocharged Duratec RS
2.5-litre engine from the standard Focus RS has been upgraded to deliver significantly more
top-end and mid-range power, but without compromising the base engine’s strength and
responsiveness at lower revs.

Peak power is increased by 45PS to 350PS at 6,000rpm, while torque has been increased
from 440 to 460Nm, delivered across a broad speed range from 2,500 to 4,500rpm.

To achieve the required balance of muscular mid-range and top-end performance, the
engine has benefitted from a comprehensive package of enhancements aimed at improving
the engine’s breathing and combustion.

The changes include a significantly larger air-to-air intercooler to deliver a cooler, denser
charge; a larger air filter box for increased airflow; larger diameter exhaust downpipe; and
an uprated fuel pump, along with an updated software calibration to optimise the
performance of the revised engine.

“The engine’s improved breathing has allowed us to increase power without having to raise
turbo boost pressure significantly,” explained Herrmann. “This has made it possible to
enhance peak performance while maintaining the excellent driveability, fuel consumption
and emissions of the standard Focus RS.”

Preliminary performance figures for the Focus RS500 indicate that it achieves 0-100km/h
in 5.6 seconds, with a top speed similar to the 263 km/h in the standard RS.

Engineered by Performance Car Enthusiasts

The Focus RS500 engine has been modified by a team enthusiast engineers from Ford
TeamRS in partnership with Revolve Technologies, the automotive engineering firm which
develops Ford approved performance upgrades through its Mountune brand.

The shared development and testing programme ensured that the 350 PS Duratec RS engine
achieved the specified performance targets while also delivering the standards of durability
and serviceability expected by Ford RS customers.

The comprehensive engineering details already developed for the 305 PS Focus RS engine
– including a revised cylinder head gasket, ultra-durable metal sprayed cylinder bores,
revised pistons and new connecting rods – have ensured that no further mechanical changes
were required to cope with the increased performance of the 350 PS RS500 unit.

Advanced Front Wheel Drive Chassis

A key factor in the success of the latest generation Focus RS has been its advanced front
wheel drive chassis, which combines a wider track, the unique ‘RevoKnuckle’ front
suspension design and a Quaife helical limited slip differential to deliver responsive
steering, outstanding traction and a minimum of unwanted torque steer.

The same chassis design has proved equally effective in handling the increased torque
levels of the Focus RS500, and the specification is unchanged for this application, helping
to retain the same sporting and responsive dynamic character which is central to the appeal
of the acclaimed standard Focus RS.

The high-performance braking system, and the 19-inch wheels and 235/35/R19 tyres, are
also carried over unchanged from the standard vehicle, although red brake calipers and a
dramatic black finish for the alloy wheels are unique to the RS500.

Performance Tested to the Limit

In recognition of the extreme performance potential of the Focus RS500, the limited edition
model has been subjected to a series of concentrated durability tests which have focused on
the car’s track capabilities.

The development programme included a dedicated endurance test at the infamous
Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany, where Ford TeamRS engineers were joined by three
Ford-employed racing drivers working in shifts to complete 10,000km of non-stop driving,
equivalent to competing in ten consecutive Nürburgring 24-hour races without a break.

“We wanted to be sure that serious enthusiasts could drive the Focus RS500 to the limit on
track, without any concerns about the car’s stamina,” said Matthias Tonn, Focus RS500
Chief Programme Engineer. “This meant going beyond our standard test routines, and
pushing the car to the edge of its performance envelope. After 500 non-stop laps of the
Nürburgring, we are very confident of its durability and delighted at the way it performed,
with an 8-minute lap time within reach”.

Unique Matt Black 'Foil' Paint Finish for Maximum Visual Impact

The standard Focus RS already creates a lasting impression with its functional yet striking
design, but the unique matt black 'foil' paint finish of the Focus RS500 makes this limited
edition car even more special.

Stunning matt black bodywork is combined with matching metallic black alloy wheels, and
the gloss black finish of the trapezoidal lower front grille and splitter, twin-blade rear
spoiler and the rear venturi, which manages airflow beneath the rear of the car.

Small flashes of colour around the vehicle – including the red brake calipers, blue RS
badges, and the special blue and red RS500 badge on the tailgate – only serve to emphasise
the car’s unique appearance.

“We deliberately set out to ensure that the Focus RS500 looks like no other production
vehicle,” added Tonn. “With its dramatic black finish and imposing stance, this car really
is mean, moody and magnificent!”

The matt black foil finish for the RS500 was developed in partnership with the technology
company 3M, which specialises in advanced film products for the automotive industry.

All Focus RS500 vehicles will be painted in a standard Panther Black metallic colour,
before being shipped to a dedicated 3M facility near Frankfurt, Germany, where a special
foil film will be applied to the bodywork to create the matt black effect.

The film is extremely durable, and is specifically designed to resist superficial marks and
scratches in automotive applications. In the event of damage to the bodywork, Ford dealers
will be fully supported by a Europe-wide network of 3M agents who can replace the film
on the affected panels.

Special Focus RS500 Interior Detailing

Attention to detail on the RS500 exterior is also reflected inside the car, with a series of
special features which are unique to this limited edition model.

The centre console is distinguished by the car's individually-numbered metal plaque, and by
a unique carbon-effect finish to the bezel which carries a distinctive RS pattern.

In contrast to the blue detailing on the standard Focus RS, the RS500 features a special red
colour scheme, notably on the stitching of the leather trim on the steering wheel, door trim
and gear lever gaiter, and on the floor mats.

Customers also have the option of specifying the bespoke Recaro front sports seats in full
red leather, to further enhance the visual impact.

Premium Specification for All Vehicles

All Focus RS500 vehicles will be equipped to a very high specification as standard, with
only two features available as optional items. In addition to the comprehensive equipment
levels on the standard Focus RS, the RS500 includes the following features as standard:



• Dual-zone automatic climate control


• Heated windscreen


• Rear parking distance sensors


• Tyre deflation detection system


• Automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers


• Auto dimming rear-view mirror


• Ford key-free start


• Enhanced connectivity with Bluetooth®, voice control and USB port


• Sony 6-CD audio system


• Recaro sports front seats with partial leather trim


The two optional features are touchscreen DVD navigation and audio system, and the full
leather Recaro front seats in red.

“We believe that customers lucky enough to secure one of the limited edition Focus RS500
models will be getting a real collectors item,” said Joe Bakaj. “From its stunning looks, to
its immense driver appeal and its complete specification, the Focus RS500 provides
enthusiasts with the ultimate performance Ford for the road.”