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SPECIAL

Ford Territory

SPECIAL

Ford Territory

Focus ST170 Media Kit

Staff, Wednesday April 30, 2003.

Page 1 of 1

Powered by Ford's high-performance two-litre Duratec ST engine, and developing 127kW of power at 7000rpm and 196Nm of torque at 5500rpm, the Focus ST170 will be priced at $37,000 (RRP).

A full bodykit, including front, side and rear skirts, a rear tailgate spoiler and ST170 badges, is included as standard fitment.

Ford Focus Brand Marketing Manager, Mr Craig Smith, said the Focus ST170 would appeal to enthusiast drivers for its exceptional driving dynamics, responsive steering and distinctive sports styling ? inside and out.

"Customers in this market are looking for a vehicle with enough power for all their driving needs and distinctive styling to match. The standard Ford Focus is a fantastic base on which to build. The extra power inherent in the ST170 engine upgrade is complemented by a range of other engineering enhancements, including a slick, Getrag six-speed Durashift manual gearbox, re-tuned sports suspension, tight chassis and a large bore, free flow, stainless steel exhaust system," he said.

The engine has been tuned to provide a strong launch feel and a consistent delivery of power and torque throughout the rev range.

?Up to 85 per cent of the Duratec ST's 195Nm of torque is available from just 2200rpm, giving a useable, strong performance feel,? Mr Smith said.

The Duratec ST engine features a combination of performance engine technologies cleverly packaged under the bonnet. Central to these is the Duratec ST's approach to delivering stronger power and torque outputs when needed most by the driver:

• New, high-flow aluminium cylinder head with larger inlet valves and higher-lift intake and exhaust camshafts for higher peak rpm levels;
• Continuously variable intake valve timing;
• High compression, cast-aluminium pistons and forged steel connecting rods
• Dual mass flywheel;
• New dual stage intake (DSI) manifold, using long runners for low-end torque and shorter runners for higher peak power outputs;
• Larger bore free-flowing stainless steel exhaust system, tuned for enhanced performance sound.

To develop the Focus ST170 powerplant, Ford engineers provided a number of engineering enhancements, including improved gas flow characteristics, higher rev capability, combustion efficiency and a higher compression ratio.

Duratec ST's new aluminium cylinder head features enlarged intake ports to increase its flow potential. It is fitted with larger intake valves (33.5mm) to further increase Duratec ST's free-breathing character. Stiffer springs on both the intake and exhaust valves help to facilitate a higher redline. Focus ST170 has an indicated red line of 7200 rpm on the tachometer for continuous operation and rev-limiter intervention beginning at 7400 rpm.

Duratec ST's new dual-stage intake manifold provides additional technology to enhance power and torque. At lower engine speeds up to 6000 rpm, the intake configures itself to enhance the torque characteristics that are central to the ST170 driving character.

Above 6000 rpm it reverts to a higher-power-output configuration.

Constructed of composites, the intake manifold features four tuned runners that can be adjusted in length. In its closed position, for maximum torque, intake air entering the plenum is directed through long runners. At higher speeds, the runners are rotated into an open position, directing intake air immediately into the intake port. This is power configuration at the top end of the rev range.

Duratec ST also features a low-loss air filter to further enhance its breathing flow.

Fuel is delivered to the cylinders via an electronically controlled, high-output fuel pump. With precise electronic control of the fuel delivery to the injectors, no return fuel loop is required. The system contributes to ST170's Euro Stage IV emissions capability.

Variable valve timing technology (VVT) gives Duratec ST combustion efficiency that eliminates the need for a close-coupled catalyst in the exhaust system. This enhances its flow characteristics and performance capabilities further.

Duratec's intake camshaft is equipped with an electro-mechanical control mechanism that allows the cam's maximum opening point, relative to crankshaft degrees, to be varied between 85 and 145 degrees after top dead centre. Variability is calibrated according to engine speed, load and operating temperature. It is accomplished by changing oil pressure on either side of a piston in a helix between the cam and its drive pulley.

On cold start- up, VVT helps to provide a precise combustion calibration that facilitates quick light up of the underbody exhaust catalyst before adjusting to a profile for high-combustion efficiency. As a result, Ford engineers were able to position the catalyst unit (incorporating premium metallic elements), approximately 900mm away from the cylinder head face to give Duratec ST its free exhaust flow with reduced back pressure. A second catalyst unit is located downstream in the exhaust.

The exhaust system is constructed entirely of stainless steel, tuned for its throaty performance sound. Its exhaust manifold, cleverly designed for package efficiency in the Focus engine bay, is created of equal-length tubular headers in a four-to-two-to-one configuration. The design combines the first and fourth cylinder exhaust tubes and the second and third cylinder exhausts, respectively, before the resultant two pipes are combined into one to enter the catalyst. The exhaust pipe diameter is 65mm.

Despite its performance characteristics and the lack of a close-coupled catalyst, the new Focus ST170 retains its Euro Stage IV emissions performance, to comfortably exceed ADR requirements.

Ford's engineers used the production 2.0-litre Zetec engine as the foundation for the Duratec ST performance version. Its cast-iron block provided the ideal strength, rigidity and durability necessary for higher output.

Robust elements were incorporated in Duratec ST's top end to reflect the additional performance demands being placed on the engine. These include stronger, lightweight, cast aluminium pistons with larger, 20mm wrist pins and robust, sinter-forged connecting rods.

Close-ratio performance gearbox

Focus ST170?s performance enhancements are not limited to the engine. A slick-shifting, close-ratio Getrag six-speed transmission helps make the most of Duratec ST's generous power and torque.

The Getrag close-ratio manual transaxle contributes to ST170's athletic driveability as the driver accelerates eagerly through the gears towards the vehicle's ultimate high-speed cruising potential.

The fully synchronised transmission has been designed to provide to the driver the benefits of a close-ratio, six-speed, performance-oriented gearbox in a remarkably compact and lightweight package. Unlike a traditional, single-shaft design, it features a twin-layshaft design that is central to its compactness. It occupies no more room than the standard Focus five-speed transmission and weighs just 46 kilograms.

The dual layshafts each have their own unique final drive ratio. One layshaft ? with a final drive ratio of 2.88:1 to the differential ? contains first, second, fifth and sixth gears. The second layshaft ? final drive ratio 4.25:1 ? contains third, fourth and reverse gears.

The ST170 gear ratio table is different as a result, without the usual descending order from first to sixth. For example, the gear ratio of the third and fifth gears is identical ? 1.33:1 ? but with different final drive ratios as a result of the gears being on different layshafts, their overall gear ratios of 5.7:1 and 3.8:1, respectively, slot neatly into the proper gear order.

FOCUS ST170 CLOSE-RATIO GEAR CONFIGURATION

The ultimate result of this unique combination of gearing is Focus ST170's driver-oriented close-ratio, six-speed shifting capabilities, remarkably smooth in operation.

Augmenting the Getrag transmission's precision is Focus ST170's dual-mass flywheel, contributing to reduced noise and vibration. Shift quality is particularly enhanced because the dual-mass flywheel reduces vibrations and torque spikes in the powertrain system, lessening the effects of the mass on the transmission. Beyond the shiftability benefits, ST170's dual-mass flywheel helps to protect the gearbox synchronisers from excess wear.

Power from the gearbox is transmitted to the front driving wheels via solid halfshafts which are 13 per cent stronger than the stock Focus equivalents.

Low-profile Continental ContiSport Contact P215/45R17 tyres mounted on exclusive 15-spoke, 17x7-inch alloy wheels put the power to the road. The combination gives ST170 a poised stance and precise dynamics capabilities to match. Its lateral acceleration ? 0.89 g ? is an impressive indication of its road-holding abilities.

Chassis tweaks

The respected Focus chassis, including its Control Blade Independent Rear Suspension, was ideally suited to the dynamic requirements of the ST170 performance application. Engineers fine-tuned its inherent strengths ? with higher spring rates and unique damper tuning ? to provide the right combination of handling precision and ride compliance for comfortable touring.

"Starting with the driving dynamics of the Focus as a foundation made the engineers job much easier," said Mr Smith. "With the rigid body architecture and well-engineered suspension, steering and braking systems of the base Focus, the engineers could concentrate on fine-tuning the package specifically for the ST170 targets rather than working on re-engineering the vehicle."

The strength of the Focus suspension design is its precise control compliances. Stiff lateral compliance assures precise handling and steering performance while being more compliant longitudinally to ride comfortably over bumps and rough road conditions.

For ST170, the engineering team's tweaks include stiffer springs ? 10 per cent stiffer front and rear. ST170 uses the stock Focus front and rear stabiliser bars ? both 21 mm in diameter ? but incorporates a new urethane drop link bushing for the rear.

Dampers with larger diameter, 27mm rods, have been fitted especially for ST170's agile handling target, with improved roll damping and softened impact harshness.

Focus' low-friction steering system has been tuned with special gearing and a unique power-steering pump that provides less assist at higher revs for the performance driver's desired feeling of precise control.

Focus ST170's stopping power is impressive. The ST is equipped with larger- diameter brake discs ? 300mm in the front (258mm in standard Focus models), and 280mm (253mm standard) in the rear ? and unique callipers. Field testing shows that ST170 can stop with assurance from 100kph in just 36.3 metres. Four-channel ABS and traction control are standard.

Ford?s VDC AdvanceTrac stability system is standard equipment.

"Styling of the Focus ST170 reflects the car's engineering enhancements and driveability characteristics," said Mr Smith.

Exterior design elements exclusive to Focus ST170 include bolder, large-honeycomb-mesh radiator grille and bumper grille treatments for optimal cooling, plus unique round, projector-style fog lamps.

Combined with the aggressive performance look of Focus ST170?s unique 15-spoke, 17-inch alloy wheels and low-profile tyres, the result is an appearance transformation that creates an athletic stance in keeping with the car?s rally breeding.

New styled headlamps, with ?tech-flec? accents, provide further visual distinction.

The cockpit of the ST170 continues the sports feel, with a unique silver faced instrument panel, electro-luminescent gauges, a 7200rpm redline tachometer, speedo and additional analogue gauges for oil temperature and oil pressure.

Sports seats with leather-trimmed bolsters provide excellent lateral support, with comfort and clear feedback to the driver and front-seat passenger, particularly on longer journeys.

Other sporty touches include drilled metallic pedal covers with rubber inserts, as well as metallic highlights on the face of the leather gear lever knob, the release button of the leather-wrapped hand brake, the door handles and door-sills.

The standard bodykit, including front, rear and side skirts, rear tailgate spoiler and ST170 decals, was designed in Australia to complement the car's European styling.

"Australians like their vehicles to be visually aggressive so we added some extra touches here to give the car a lower, more aggressive stance," says Mr Smith.

"Combined with the styling of the Focus ST170, the bodykit will reflect its driver's passion for enthusiast driving."

ST170 will be exclusively available in Imperial Blue only.

For further information contact:
Ford Communications
Phone: (03) 9359 8491
Fax: (03) 9359 8900

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