Press Release
Page 1: Focus XR5 Turbo
Page 2: Interior/ExteriorDesign
Page 3: Power for performance
Page 4: Dynamics
Page 5: Safety
Exterior design
The simple elegance of the new Focus XR5 Turbo clearly follows the design brief and Ford TeamRS Chief Designer Chris Clements’ intention to create distinctive and dynamic lines.
“It was all about finding the fine line between sporty presence and discreet presentation. The Focus XR5 Turbo emanates performance as well as practicality.
“The new Focus has excellent proportions; so giving it more sporting appeal was a sure winner.
"The distinguishing design characteristics of the Focus XR5 Turbo don’t just look great, they also serve a function.
"As the turbo intake needed a lot of fresh air, the air intakes on the front spoiler had to be enlarged. Not enough air came through an initial version, and it took a lighter radiator grille design with less air resistance to get thermal issues under control."
At the front, a unique bumper gives Focus XR5 Turbo a low centre of gravity with its aggressive inverted trapezoid lower grille. The upper grille is also unique to XR5, and is taller and narrower than that of other Focus models. Both upper and lower grilles feature a graphite mesh with signature triangular pattern.
Flanking the top of the lower grille, fog lamp openings are trimmed in brushed aluminium. At the rear, reversing and rear fog lamp features are given a similar treatment, while the lower bumper has been sculpted to create a visual ‘venturi effect’ from which the chrome-tipped dual sport exhausts emerge.
As the rear bumper folds around to the rear wheel arches, subtle 'spats' have been added to enhance the side profile of the Focus XR5 Turbo.
Specially shaped sill mouldings – aligned with the chin of the front bumper – further communicate the low centre of gravity and enhanced agility of the Focus XR5 Turbo.
XR5 Turbo badges on the rear doors and tailgate, and highly sculpted, five-spoke wheels and low-profile tyres further distinguish the hot hatch derivative.
The big wheel arches are not just there to create stylish surroundings for the massive 18 inch wheels: the 225/40 series tyres are 30 mm wider than those found on a standard Focus.
During the intensive road testing programme, it also became apparent that the oversized door sills provide more than just aerodynamic advantages, and in fact help protect the chassis and body itself from road grime catapulted off the tyres.
“The fastback stretches the rear of the new Focus, and the larger XR5 rear spoiler provides a nice contrast. The car looks like it’s taking off,� said Clements.
The designers also wanted to achieve a greater presence in the lower body sections. They wanted a rear end with imposing exhaust pipes, while engine technicians wanted a large tailpipe so their impressive work would be signed off with a striking acoustic signature.
Engineers soon came up with an answer in the form of a voluminous silencer, mounted laterally with two exhaust pipes coming out of its sides.
This booming addition to the car couldn’t be mounted on the volume production Focus bodyshell because of the spare tyre housing, so the lower section of the luggage space on the XR5 is removed and the remaining hole covered.
Such sporty details formed a unique challenge for the production plant.
With the vast throughput of standard Focus models at the Saarlouis plant, it took some innovative planning to organise manufacture of the Focus XR5 Turbo.
Engineers found a solution by borrowing a page from the book of motorsport.
At the point in the production process when lasers should cut the holes for mudguard extension clips and door sills or when a flat cover has to be added in place of spare tyre storage, the XR5 chassis leaves the assembly line as if it were exiting a racetrack and going in for a pit stop.
When the extra work to fit the new silencer and other unique XR5 components is completed on an adjacent line, the vehicle swings back into position and continues its journey towards completion.
Interior design
While the exterior of the new Ford Focus XR5 Turbo clearly signals its performance credentials; the interior also communicates this Focus is something special.
Focus XR5 Turbo gains a unique additional instrument pod, incorporated on the upper instrument panel, creating an immediate visual impact that differentiates XR5 from the standard Focus.
Key information for the performance driver – turbocharger boost pressure, oil temperature and oil pressure – is clearly displayed by a new instrument cluster.
The new gauges, as well as the speedometer, tachometer, temperature and fuel gauges in the primary instrument cluster, are given a new graphic design ringed in aluminium opal to match other brushed aluminium interior accents.
The leather-wrapped steering wheel has an increased rim section with prominent thumb grips and a classic three spoke design finished in brushed aluminium, while the XR5’s leather trimmed, brushed aluminium gear knob features a red six-speed gate graphic.
On opening the door of, the driver is greeted by a warm and inviting ambience, with bold and sporty cues throughout.
Focus XR5 Turbo Colour and Material Designer Serife Uenal was instrumental in the process of developing the interior.
"Customers will immediately get a sporty feeling when they see the XR5 interior. Our inspiration was the latest styles for sports shoes and clothing."
"The use of colour, textures and materials, and distinctive stitch lines give a very different, personal feel to the interior. The treatment is very subtle, and the detailing is very attractive."
Unique, stylish Recaro front seats are standard on the Focus XR5 Turbo, providing optimal lateral support during spirited driving. The seats assist in anchoring driver and passengers in place, providing occupants with a cosseted feeling – as if the car has been built around them.
Matching leather inserts differentiate the interior door panels and complement special brushed aluminium XR5 door pulls. Other details inside include purpose-designed performance pedals with rubber pads set in cast aluminium and unique XR5 scuff plates.
Focus XR5 Turbo features a black headliner and black A-pillars, further enhancing the sporty 'cockpit feel' of the interior.
Six different exterior colours will be available on the Focus XR5 Turbo – Panther Black, Sea Grey, Moondust Silver, Colorado Red, Performance Blue and Electric Orange.
Panther Black and Colorado Red are teamed with a dark flint cloth bolster with red inserts, while customers choosing Sea Grey, Moondust Silver or Performance Blue will have a dark flint cloth bolster with grey inserts.
The eye-catching premium Electric Orange exterior is mated with a dark flint cloth bolster and orange inserts.
The interior insert colours wrap around and beneath the head restraints, on the side bolster cushions of the seat backs, and along the edges of the base seat cushion.
An ebony leather option is available with all exterior colours, which transforms the XR5 into a four seater with unique leather Recaro bucket seats formed in the rear seat cushion and squab.
