Ken Block’s New 600bhp Ford Focus RS Rallycross Machine Looks Mean As Hell
As I’m sure that you’re already aware, Gymkhana star Ken Block was heavily involved in the development and marketing of the new Ford Focus RS. After years of hooning four-wheel drive weapons, he helped calibrate the car’s brilliant drift mode, assisted with the vehicle’s chassis set-up and ultimately helped Ford produce one hell of a hot-hatch. He also appeared in numerous advertisements for the Blue Oval, and even went through the pain of being interviewed by our own Alex Kersten at the car’s international launch.
Thankfully for Block, all this hard work wasn’t in vain. Ford has now officially confirmed that Block and his Hoonigan Racing Division team have secured two examples of the new rallycross-spec Ford Focus RS for a full season of FIA World Rallycross. Details are scarce, but Ford has claimed the new rallycross machine will produce upwards of 600bhp from its 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, allowing for a 0-60mph time of under two seconds.
The car also features SLA-type suspension, gravel-specification Brembo brakes, an FIA-approved roll cage, and a Sadev six-speed sequential gearbox. To create this beast, Hoonigan Racing, Ford Performance and major rally tuning company M-Sport have all pitched in. Ultimately, Ford needs to outshine and outperform Sebastien Loeb and his rapid Peugeot 208. No expense has been spared, with drivers Block and Andreas Bakkerud receiving full factory support from Ford - a huge advantage in the ultra competitive world of Rallycross.
Block is clearly happy with the deal, stating:
“To have official factory support for my race season in 2016 and beyond as I enter the FIA World Rallycross Championship full-time is absolutely incredible. It opens up a ton of powerful resources that myself and my team will be able to benefit from in terms of engineering prowess, research, development and racing experience from different fields. Plus, have you seen the car that they’ve created for me to go race in? My mind was blown when they showed it to me in Dearborn a few months ago. I absolutely cannot wait to get behind the wheel and start testing.”
We can’t wait to see the car in full race-ready specification at the first round of the World Rallycross Championship on 15 April.
Comments
You could atleast credit me
Credit you for what exactly..
What’s that huge air scoop in the back? Cooling the brakes?
I guess that is to reduce air resistance since it is open in the back of the scoop as well
Because rallycross racers like to push each other around the radiator is moved into the back of the car so it doesn’t get damaged. The scoops are there to feed it with cool air.
That looks so cool! And with a 0-60 time of under 2 seconds? That’s intense. Loeb really is something - hopefully this will give him a run for his money!
trust me , loeb will decimate him xD
Loeb is still gonna kick his ass (maybe)
Now this mighy sound stupid but how in the world do they crack 0 to 60 in 2 seconds when even the hypercars take at least 2.8
Engine, drivetrain &tires a utterly focused on speed and reliability
For the most part its gearing. Hypercars can reach more than 200mph while this reaches about 120mph.
The Veyron cracks 0-60mph in 2.5s, the new R8 manages 0-60mph in 2.6s, even though there is a difference of 400hp between them, the R8 weighs much less and therefore is almost as quick to 60mph. After the 60mph sprint, however, the difference in power comes into play and the Veyron would leave it for dead.
Cars that crack 60mph in 2.8s are RWD, so they struggle for grip at the launch compared to AWD cars like the R8 and the GT-R and the Veyron.
Similarly, RallyX cars have very little weight and their power comes from a big-ass turbo equipped with anti-lag, so they make 650-ish HP and around the same number in torque at very low revs, not to mention that they have AWD.
Gearing plays a more major role as hypercars have gearing suited to longer straights whereas RallyX cars have more aggressive gearing.
Group B cars did Veyron and Chiron acceleration times on gravel. Probably because wizardry in the engine and anti-lag with a ridiculous power-weight ratio.
You also have to take into account that the gearing ratios are massively shorter than that of a supercar.
The front looks like a zenvo
So it does have the headlights!
Block planning on trying to beat Loeb at rally cross….. Loeb is a machine, so he needs more than a fast car to beat him. Driving talent needs to be upped a tad
He has a good car, too bad Ken block is only good for gymkana. Lol
why side scoops?it is front engined.is it for brakes?
Most high level rally and rallycross cars have rear mounted radiators or intercoolers, so I would imagine they could be feeding air to one of those. Its to give the cars better weight distribution and because they spend so much time sideways, getting air from the front grill becomes less efficient (and the intercooler and radiator don’t have to share air if they are in different locations).
It looks rice :I
Looks like you don’t understand the definition rice
It doesn’t matter how good the car is - its the driver that is the limiting factor. Bakkerud might do well but do pretty well but Block will not.