Ford launches revolutionary new Focus

The latest evolution of the Focus RS WRC - with a new Peugeot-style rear wing and extended front bumper - will make its competition debut on Rally New Zealand next month and team insiders predict it will be a significant improvement on the last year's model.

The car, designed by former Prodrive chief engineer Christian Loriaux, features a new aerodynamics package, revised rear suspension, improved weight distribution, an updated lightweight engine and more efficient engine and transmission cooling.

"If World Rally Cars can be described as stunning, then that is the word I would use to describe the new Ford Focus RS WRC," said Loriaux. "The large rear wing and revised bumpers give the car a very contemporary look from the outside and much has changed underneath as well.

"We know that the new car is quicker than the old one," he added. "We began with a clean sheet of paper and we've ended up with a radical, revolutionary car, which retains all that was good from the previous model."