How Ford 'Fixed' The Focus RS's Intercooler After Discovering That It Was Too Cool
During the Ford Focus RS launch in Valencia earlier this week, I asked Ford’s vehicle engineering manager, Tyrone Johnson, about a rather large blanking plate on the RS’s intercooler. As you’ll see in the video, the reason for the plate is to reduce the efficiency of the intercooler because Ford discovered that in particularly humid conditions, the intercooler was working too efficiently, which caused a build up of water vapour. And because water in an engine is bad news, Ford searched through its parts bin and took the same blanking plate that it used for its diesel Transit van intercoolers and placed it over the intercoolers of the Focus RSs. So you could say, then, that the RS is part super hatch, part practical van…you know, in case you need to justify the purchase to a wife or girlfriend.
In the video, you’ll also hear about a few other cars the Focus RS owes its life to.
Comments
You could just turn up the boost?
But I guess that’s our job! Pretty keen
inside out charge cooler?
Mustang engine, Transit blanking plate, what next?
No doubt that it’s an awesome car but I think it is missing the ‘mad’ look that the mk2 focus RS had or it’s ancestors the escort cosworth or the sierra cosworth
can only agree with that, mk2 focus rs was such a beauty, i find (and its only my own opinion) this one is ugly
I think it looks like it should. It’s made to be aggressive and intimidating, not like a standard hatch
“water in an engine is bad news” never ran water injection then…
Water injection is sprayed right before the cylinder and is quickly evaporated. This water on the other hand would sit in the intake and corrode the metals.
i like that he talks like a politician, fancy words for something simple ..
never heared of water/meth injection , the engine doesnt even care about those few water drops
-“What do you drive m8?”
-“A Focus RS”
-“Really? “
-“ Well, almost, its a Ford Transit”…
That would depend if they’re still on the same chassis, or not. The first gen imported to the usa, was on the Focus chassis. Despite being fwd, all I coukd think of is a tiny shop van with svt focus drivetrain.
Even though the EVO has seen it’s final days, the STi Still has competition right around the corner. I personally would buy one of these over an STi any day of the week.
Here’s hoping Subaru actually moves forward with the STI’s engine and drivetrain (maybe develop a better gearbox for the STI and finally offer the DCCD 6MT in the WRX!)
Car Throttle, stop it. I have responsibilities. I can’t buy that now. On the other side, I will be seeing it at the Montreal Auto show this weekend… It looks incredibly fun… I could probably… NO! I have responsibilities. I can’t just go out and buy this beauty! This is torture!