One of the big models unveiled on Ford’s booth for the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show was the Ford Focus ST, but in the ST’s shadow is the race-tweaked, production-based Focus ST-R. The Focus ST-R is purpose-built for the track by Ford Racing in North America and will be available for racing teams soon.
The production based Focus ST-R features stock body panels and production parts where possible. The company is insistent that it is a fully-prepared race car that will only need communications equipment and decals to head to the track.
"We’re thrilled to be taking the Focus ST-R from concept to reality for motorsport enthusiasts initially in North America and potentially around the world," said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing. "The previous turn-key race cars we developed for North American racing have been hugely successful, so we are hopeful that the ST-R will be the first such vehicle for global series and as a direct result of the company’s global platform strategy and our technical support program for motorsport applications of Focus and Fiesta models."
UPDATE 11/07/2011: The Focus ST-R made its North American debut in Las Vegas at the 2011 SEMA Show, giving us the perfect opportunity to get some fresh images of the vehicle. Check them out in the picture gallery!
UPDATE 12/15/11: Ford has officially announced the pricing details of the race-spec Ford Focus ST-R and we must advise those that are interested in the car: hold on to your drinks, fellas. The Focus ST-R has been priced at $98,995. Wow.
UPDATE 01/20/12: Global RallyCross Champion and founding member of the Octane Academy Tanner Foust spent a day at Homestead-Miami Speedway last week testing the racing prototype Focus ST-R. Check out the video of his experience!
The Audi RS5 is headed to the US market, that much we already know, but in order to prepare it for its trip, Audi has decided to give it a little refresher. The 2012 Audi RS5 will be headed to our side of the pond with a few exterior modifications and an updated interior, but power will still come from the sports coupe’s V8 engine.
The facelift isn’t all that surprising considering the RS5’s slower brethren - the Audi A5 - received its own little modifications for the 2012 model year.
The facelifted RS5 has received several new, sharp accents to clean up its look, although at first glance, these changes may not be so obvious. The two that stand out the most are the new single-frame grille with beveled upper corners and standard xenon plus headlights with a more modern shape, framed by narrow strips of LED daytime running lights. Inside the RS5, Audi has dropped in race-style front seats.
The bells and whistles of the exterior and interior just about cover the minor facelift provided for the RS5. In terms of power, the sports coupe will be enjoying the fruits of the standard 4.2 liter V8 engine’s labor, delivering a total of 450 HP at 8,250 rpm and a peak torque of 317.15 lb-ft available between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph will be made in 4.6 seconds, while top speed can be increased to 174 mph, upon request.
Hit the jump to read more about the Audi RS5.
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Mansory is making it a trifecta as far as tuning debuts at the Frankfurt Motor Show is concerned. On top of their new programs for the Audi R8 Spyder and the Bentley Continental GT, the German tuning company has prepared a separate project for the Mercedes SLS AMG.
Comprising of both aerodynamic and performance upgrades, Mansory’s program for the SLS AMG has all the makings of a can’t miss, even for the lofty standards the Mercedes supercar belongs in. Among the aerodynamic additions done include a number of carbon fiber components to the chassis as a way to improve on the SLS AMG’s already superb handling. As far as cosmetic body kits are concerned, the SLS AMG has been fitted with a new carbon bonnet, illuminated gills, new side skirts, a new rear spoiler, an optimized diffuser, and a set of 20" lightweight forged wheels. The interior of the SLS AMG can also be dressed based on the preferences of the customer with plenty of high-end options to choose from.
Performance modifications were also a top priority given to the SLS AMG. In this instance, the power boost comes from a high-performance compressor unit that has been added to the car. Together with a new sports air filter and a stainless steel sports exhaust system, Mansory was able to take the supercar’s 6.3-liter V8 engine and bump up the output from 563 horsepower and 480 lb/t of torque all the way up to 732 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and a peak torque of 609 lb/ft.
The only concern we have with this project is that it looks strikingly similar to the SLS AMG by Hamann that is also present at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Of course, the package by Hamann produces far more power than the 636 HP from the Hamann Hawk.
Noted Mercedes tuner, Brabus, may be famous for all their high-powered tuning programs, but their penchant for power doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t have eco-friendly bones in their bodies.
Somewhat surprisingly, Brabus is tapping into their inner affinity towards the environment with the introduction of the new BRABUS Technology Project HYBRID. The vehicle hybrid program is based on the Mercedes E 220 CDI, but instead of its usual powertrain, this particular car has been fitted with four electric motors. There’s one motor on each wheel and each carries 50 kW (67 horsepower) apiece in Eco mode and up to 80 kW (107 horsepower) each in Sport Mode. The four electric motors are then joined by a 56 kWh lithium-ion battery that further increases the car’s total output to 320 kW (435 horsepower) and - prepare yourself - 2,360 lb/ft of torque. Whoa.
The numbers translate to performance figures that include a 0-62 mph sprint time of 6.9 seconds, an ECO-mode top speed of 118 mph and a Sport-mode top speed of 137 mph. As a hybrid, careful attention has to be paid on the car’s driving range and the BRABUS Technology Project HYBRID returns a very impressive 217 miles on the dot with the battery taking 90 minutes to recharge at a 380 V three phase grid and up to five hours through a normal 220 V AC outlet.
Major auto shows like Frankfurt don’t come by without the participation of renowned tuning firm, Mansory. This year’s no different as the German tuning company has rolled out plenty of programs for some of the most expensive exotics on the market.
One of Mansory’s offerings for Frankfurt is for the Bentley Continental GT and it comes with plenty of aerodynamic and performance upgrades. Speaking about the former, Mansory dressed up the Continental GT with a plethora of items made from lightweight autoclave carbon, including a new front and rear apron that’s been integrated with a new side skirt set. There’s also a spoiler lip, a redesigned engine hood and front fenders, and a new set of 22" alloy wheels. Interior improvements are also available as part of the package with customers getting free reign to design it according to their preference.
In addition to the aforementioned aerodynamic modifications, the Continental GT also gets an impressive power boost courtesy of a reprogrammed engine management system, a sports air filter, and a new sports exhaust system. All these additions took the Continental’s 6.0-liter bi-turbo W12 engine output from the standard 567 horsepower and 516 lb/ft of torque all the way up to 672 horsepower and 575 lb/ft of torque.
For a company that knows their aftermarket programs really well, Mansory’s new program for the Bentley Continental GT doesn’t disappoint.
