Motoring: Ford’s high-performance cars continue to innovate

OVER the years Ford has become virtually synonymous with the hot hatch through a succession of high performance versions of its best selling models.

The ST version of its Fiesta has been a welcome addition to the ranks in recent years and now it has supplemented that with its big brother, the Focus.

The third-generation Focus RS pioneers the innovative Ford Performance All-Wheel-Drive system. The new car is also the first RS to offer selectable Drive Modes – including industry-first Drift Mode – and Launch Control.

The all-wheel-drive (AWD) with Dynamic Torque Vectoring enables up to 70% of drive torque to be diverted to the rear axle for enhanced handling, traction and cornering speed. Selectable Normal, Sport or Track Drive Modes are designed to deliver optimum performance both on normal roads and around the track. An industry-first Drift mode supports controlled oversteer drifts on track so the power slides look fantastic.

For enhanced performance off the start-line, Launch Control configures the vehicle’s chassis and powertrain systems to deliver the fastest possible acceleration, whatever the track conditions so motorists get to experience a little of what a racing driver feels like at the start of a grand prix.

The driver selects Launch Control from the cluster menu, engages first gear, applies full throttle and then releases the clutch. The vehicle then delivers optimum drive – including distributing torque through the AWD, maintaining maximum torque using turbo overboost function, managing the traction control system, and setting the dampers.

Ford’s 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine delivers more than 320PS, requiring the car to be equipped with powerful Brembo four-piston brake callipers and 350mm ventilated front discs and an exterior design that eliminates lift forces for optimum high-speed handling and stability.

The all-new Focus RS is the 30th car to wear the legendary RS “Rallye Sport” badge, reserved for Ford models that have pioneered performance technologies. Focus RS follows in the footsteps of Ford models including the 16-valve 1970 Escort RS1600, turbocharged Sierra RS Cosworth of 1985, and four-wheel-drive 1992 Escort RS Cosworth.

The car has been developed by the newly established Ford Performance team, which unifies Ford SVT, Team RS and Ford Racing globally. Rather like BMW’s M Division and Jaguar Land Rover new Special Vehicles operation, Ford Performance will serve as a laboratory and test bed to create unique performance vehicles, parts, accessories and experiences for customers, as well as innovations and technologies to enhance Ford products across the range.

The team is committed to delivering 12 new performance vehicles globally through to 2020.

Visitors to the recent Geneva Motor Show got their first glimpse of the Focus RS, along with another of the Ford Performance showstoppers, the Ford GT.

Seen in Europe for the first time in Geneva, the all-new Ford GT is a major evolution of the last version of the GT marquee, seen a decade ago.

The all-new Ford GT uses an aerodynamic carbon fibre body and fuel-efficient twin-turbocharged V6 EcoBoost engine to deliver what Ford claims will be one of the best power-to-weight ratios of any production car.

The Ford GT is an ultra-high-performance supercar that serves as a technology showcase for EcoBoost performance, aerodynamics and lightweight carbon fibre construction.

The model is propelled by the most powerful EcoBoost production engine ever – producing more than 600 horsepower and demonstrating remarkable efficiency – paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. GT acceleration, handling, braking, safety and efficiency are optimised through the use of advanced lightweight composites including a carbon fibre passenger cell and body panels, and aluminium front and rear subframes.

Drag is minimised and downforce increased with a tear-drop shaped body featuring active aerodynamics. The state-of-the-art Ford GT chassis features an active racing-style torsion bar and pushrod suspension, with adjustable ride height, and carbon-ceramic brake discs. The new GT will sets new standard for Ford innovation through performance, with carbon fibre body, active aerodynamics, and twin-turbo EcoBoost it is one of the most exclusive Ford vehicles and will be sold in limited numbers around the world.

With the new Mustang also being sold with right-hand-drive for the first time, the blue oval is stating its intentions quite clearly and is summed up best by Jim Farley, Ford Motor Company executive vice president and president Europe, Middle East and Africa.

He said: “The Ford Performance line-up already is among the most comprehensive in Europe, with an increasing range of models to suit every budget and lifestyle, also now complemented by the iconic Mustang that has provoked an incredible response already from European customers.”

BMW looks to breathe new life into X5 with PHEV

THE Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has been winning plaudits around the world from both consumers and journalists.

The electric hybrid SUV is one of the appealing packages in the expensive-to-run 4×4 segment.

Not surprisingly, other manufacturers are keen to carve off a slice of business for themselves and the latest to venture into the segment is BMW.

It has produced the BMW X5 xDrive40e, the first plug-in hybrid production car to be made available by the group. That it should chose the X5 is significant. The car is the market leader in its segment and BMW, buoyed by the success of its i3 and i8 cars, now wants that success extended into the alternative-fuelled market.

The new vehicle is said to combine “the versatility and luxurious ambience of the X5, along with the superb traction provided by the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system, with BMW’s EfficientDynamics eDrive technology for outstanding efficiency”.

The intelligently controlled interaction between the regular combustion engine and the electric drive, which together generate a total system output of 313hp, endows the BMW X5 xDrive40e with strong acceleration while simultaneously realising a substantial reduction in fuel consumption and emissions. BMW claims it returns a combined fuel consumption of up to 85.6mpg, and a combined electricity consumption of 15.3kWh. CO2 emissions are just 77g/km.

The drive system of the xDrive40e comprises a four-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, and a synchronous electric motor integrated with the 8-speed Steptronic transmission. The lithium-ion high-voltage battery pack can be topped up with mains electricity from any standard domestic power socket, or more quickly from the BMW i Wallbox, as well as at public charging stations.
 
The high-voltage battery, which also supplies power to the battery for the 12V electrical system via a voltage transformer, is housed underneath the luggage compartment floor, where it is well protected in the event of a crash. With a capacity of 500 – 1,720-litres, the luggage area is barely compromised compared with other X5s. The standard charging cable can also be stored in a hinged compartment under the luggage area floor.

BMW claims short commutes in urban areas can easily be completed with zero emissions, while actual fuel consumption is reduced substantially when driving for distances of up to approximately 15 miles in urban traffic.

The manufacturer said driving in this way equates to an equivalent performance of 94.2mpg, which would set a new benchmark for efficiency in its segment. On longer journeys, when both engine and motor need to be deployed, the powertrain keeps the fuel consumption and emissions figures far lower than in comparable models with similar power outputs.

Assuming the high-voltage battery is fully charged, daily commutes of up to 37 miles can therefore be completed with a fuel consumption of no more than 43.5mpg, depending on driving style. What’s more, when the fuel tank is filled to its 85-litre capacity and the high-voltage battery pack is charged, the BMW X5 xDrive40e also boasts the X5’s customary long-distance capabilities for travelling on holiday, for example, when it still succeeds in keeping fuel consumption above 25.7mpg.

The BMW X5 xDrive 40e goes on sale this autumn. Prices will be announced at a later date.

Time’s up for Jaguar’s new lightweight E-Type

JAGUAR is enhancing the lifestyle factor of its Special Vehicle Operations division with a new venture into horology.

The car company has joined with watch manufacturer Bremont to launch two new watches themed on the iconic Jaguar E-Type sports car.

The two British firms have created six Bremont chronometers, each of which complements one of the six ‘new’ lightweight E-Type sports racing cars currently being built by the SVO.

The new watches feature design inspired by the famous sports car, which at its 1961 launch was not only the fastest production car in the world but – according to Enzo Ferrari – the most beautiful.

“Like the Bremont watch we designed to complement the Special GT, or ‘Lightweight’ E-Type continuation cars, the MKI and MKII pieces had to capture the spirit of what is undoubtedly one of the most iconic sports cars of all time in a subtle and intelligent way,” said Jaguar Director of Design Ian Callum.

“The result is a pair of watches which subtly relay some of the codes of the E-type, but which are also easy to recognise as having been created with the car in mind. They simply look absolutely right when you wear them in the driving seat – almost as if they had been designed alongside the car back in the ‘60s.”

As inspiration for the Mk 1 and Mk 11 watch designs, the creative team at Bremont looked at the car’s dashboard.

Giles English, Bremont co-founder, said the two new E-type watches had been created to pay homage to the car and to satisfy a remarkable global demand.
“When we worked with Ian Callum to create the strictly limited edition of six watches to complement the Lightweight continuation cars, we had no idea that it would lead to a call from so many of the world’s E-type owners and enthusiasts for a similar watch which was more accessibly priced and more widely available,” he said.

“The feedback was so positive and widespread, however, that we decided to find a way of incorporating the look of those iconic E-type instruments into a pair of everyday watches. Although neither the MKI nor the MKII are limited edition pieces, we will make relatively few of each per year so they will always remain as special as the cars that inspired them.”

“They are certainly very meaningful to us, not least because they mark the formalisation of Bremont’s partnership with Jaguar, which means we shall be working closely with Ian and the design team on future projects in the long-term.”

No word on price, but then if you have to ask…

Drive safely.