Ford XR5

[mtbrider]

FORD FOCUS XR5

THE Blue Oval has used Sydney to unveil a hot turbocharged performance version of its

Focus, to be called the XR5.

The XR5, which is essentially a rebadged version of the production Focus ST released at last

month’s Frankfurt motor show, borrows its blown 2.5-litre fi ve-cylinder engine from the Volvo

S40 and pops it into a fi ve-door Focus hatch.

The 166kW/320Nm machine is mated to a six-speed manual, while the car’s overall height

has been dropped 25mm and the fi rmer-riding suspension tuned for sportscar handling. The

brakes have also been upgraded with larger callipers and pads for beefi er stopping power.

Visually, the XR5 gets a discrete bodykit comprising a honeycomb grille, deeply recessed

foglights and discreet hatch-mounted rear spoiler. The car rides on 18-inch alloys with lowprofi

le high-performance tyres.

Although Ford has not fi nalised pricing, expect the XR5 to go on sale next May with a

possible price point of around $35,000-$40,000.

[mtbrider]

pic

[MR22ZZ]

ummmmmmmm

why XR5?

last I knew it had 4 cylinders... <_<

[DANZZT231]

coz its 5 cylinder engine. Volvo 5 Cylinder that is.

[MR22ZZ]

by bad... didn't read that bit...

Sorry

[shaohaok]

that 5cylinder makes a great warbling noise, too

[omn1potent]

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Edited March 31, 2006 by omn1potent

[omn1potent]

[Post Removed]

Edited March 31, 2006 by omn1potent

[E-Gene]

It shares the same engine as the Volvo S40 T5. My friend drives that Volvo and the power is really nice and linear but the turbo seems to be really low. Don't feel it at all.

[shaohaok]

It shares the same engine as the Volvo S40 T5. My friend drives that Volvo and the power is really nice and linear but the turbo seems to be really low. Don't feel it at all.

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most turbo euros are like that. maybe it's the culture. they seem to like to make their FI cars feel like larger NA cars if u know wat i mean.

here's a pic of an AWD S40 T5 that was tuned by US volvo specialists Evolve.

here's a pic of it's engine bay

that S40 was given to evolve by volvo so that they could develop it's potential and appeal to younger drivers who may not see volvo as "cool".

makes about 340bhp at the fly

Edited October 17, 2005 by shaohaok

[black200]

wow 320nm of torque, youd be going through tyres and clutches like nothing else.

its funny though, becuase i thought they may steal the mazda 3 MPS motor...they stole the body afterall.

[ZEEROLLA]

wow 320nm of torque, youd be going through tyres and clutches like nothing else.

its funny though, becuase i thought they may steal the mazda 3 MPS motor...they stole the body afterall.

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All these power and torque figures mean nothing imo.. what the car drives like as a whole is still an unknown.

[omn1potent]

[Post Removed]

Edited March 31, 2006 by omn1potent

[BigBum]

woohoo.

it is being released as a five door.

it is being released jan/feb next year.

bad thing is the price, about 40k, too much.  35k would have been ideal.

in today melbourne herald sun 21OCt2005.

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same specs and everything?

[omn1potent]

[Post Removed]

Edited March 31, 2006 by omn1potent

[xoom]

wow 320nm of torque, youd be going through tyres and clutches like nothing else.

its funny though, becuase i thought they may steal the mazda 3 MPS motor...they stole the body afterall.

←

All these power and torque figures mean nothing imo.. what the car drives like as a whole is still an unknown.

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True Zee but with the figures of 166kw and 320nm surely this thing has to move and be a reasonable drive ..... but u r right if half of its figures are for the 1st 80% of the rev range and the last 20% it shoots to peak then yeah it would be undriveable .... but being a turbo i doubt that .... Also the weight is something that is going to be interesting to see .... all in all should be good .... i mean simply look at the new golf VW ... has less power and torque but yet is able to pull really good times .....

[DANZZT231]

I love the volvo. New Volvos are cool.

[MR22ZZ]

that's because they are designed by Nissan ;)

[ZEEROLLA]

wow 320nm of torque, youd be going through tyres and clutches like nothing else.

its funny though, becuase i thought they may steal the mazda 3 MPS motor...they stole the body afterall.

←

All these power and torque figures mean nothing imo.. what the car drives like as a whole is still an unknown.

←

True Zee but with the figures of 166kw and 320nm surely this thing has to move and be a reasonable drive ..... but u r right if half of its figures are for the 1st 80% of the rev range and the last 20% it shoots to peak then yeah it would be undriveable .... but being a turbo i doubt that .... Also the weight is something that is going to be interesting to see .... all in all should be good .... i mean simply look at the new golf VW ... has less power and torque but yet is able to pull really good times .....

←

Yeh Bill, got to wait to see what the journos say when they test drive them i guess. I went to the motor show on the weekend, the VXR and XR5 sure looks the goods, packed with features and on paper figures definitely better the WRX's except AWD prowess. Price is the major factor though, how many people are willing to shell out over $40k for a "hatch"? Maybe its more a head on competitor for the Golf R32 or Audi A3 rather than smaller hi-revving hatches like the Clio Sport/Pug Gti which are priced in the mid $30s but lacks tons of features compared to the VXR/XR5. But hey don't forget the feature skimping (no aircon or central locking even at first) but sizzling hot DC2 TypeR which went for $40k 5 years ago and sold like hot-cakes, and its still legendary and i wouldn't be surprised if it still out-guns the VXR/XR5 on the track today.

As for other cheaper hatches, the VW Polo Gti looks well priced at $26,990, Yaris was disappointing.

The Mugen Integra TypeS looked cool, super light bonnet, TypeR red engine rocker cover (adding 30kw :P ), Mugen airbox, mugen bodykit, suspension and wheels. But with those parts it would be a $50k hatch/coupe :( No new Civic hatch and Honda wouldn't say much about it either.

I guess the battle between Ford/Holden is shifting from big V8s to little torbocharged hatchbacks now that petrol prices are soaring sky high. That suits me just fine! :D