FPV to fly with homegrown Focus

[MISTA FIESTA]

Expect to see a hi-po FPV version of Ford's next-generation Focus small-car

By BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS 8 February 2008

FORD Performance Vehicles has long considered adding the Focus to its expanding artillery, but the first FPV small-car will not be a variation of the upcoming Focus RS due to be unveiled in Europe mid-year before being launched in 2009.

Instead, the firm – which is 51 per cent owned by Prodrive and the rest by Ford Australia – is likely to produce its own high-performance version based on the all-new third-generation Focus now under development now and due to be produced in Australia from 2011.

In a move aimed directly at HSV’s 177kW AH Astra-based VXR hatch, an FPV Focus would comfortably exceed the 141kW offered by the existing Focus performance range-topper, the 166kW XR5 Turbo.

Last year Ford announced that it will build the next Focus at its Broadmeadows plant in the north of Melbourne. The current model comes out of South Africa (or Germany if it's the XR5 Turbo).

If given the green light, the 2011 FPV Focus will be the fastest and most powerful small-car ever built in Australia.

“When the 2011 Focus is running down the Broadmeadows production line then we’ll have a lot of opportunity with that car,” Rod Barret – FPV general manager – revealed to GoAuto last week.