Ford Focus Rs Wrc
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Top Three European Cars of 2009
Top Three European Cars for 2009
It has always been the dream of every American motoring enthusiast to travel to the countries of Europe to see and drive the different variations of automobiles that are offered. Sadly, the closest us Yankees ever come to this fantasy is to look at pictures in European automobile magazines or to watch footage from European TV shows (i.e. Top Gear). These strange yet beautiful vehicles are usually faster, more fuel efficient and cheaper then most of the vehicles offered on U.S. soil, due to our government-enforced emissions and regulations. Here is a quick look at three of the best European cars for the 2009 model year. None of which will be shipped to America.
2009 Fiat 500 Abarth Edition
This little pocket rocket from Italy is the modified performance version of the award-winning Fiat 500. The Abarth division (formed in 1949) has taken the base 1.4 liter engine and turbocharged it to the tune of 135 horsepower and 152 lb-ft of torque. Abarth is also offering another version of this lightweight racecar called the SS, which will have an astonishing 160 horsepower.
Abarth has also upgraded the little Fiat’s braking and suspension, with pieces from the best manufacturers on the market. The new 500 comes standard with a beefed-up Alfa Romeo gearbox, hydraulic clutch system, big Brembo brakes, OZ lightweight wheels, and fat Pirelli tires. They even offer Abarth apparel (complete with scorpion logos) to compliment your new ride.
This go-kart-esque vehicle also features a sophisticated engine management system with three different modes to increase or decrease steering and throttle responses. It also has an option to increase engine torque levels when you hit those straight-away back roads. All this is done with a few pushes of the “Sport” button that is mounted on the vehicle’s dashboard.
All this performance and technology can be had for a measly $26,000 (converted to U.S. currency). And get this; the Abarth 500 still gets 43.5 miles per gallon! Who needs a Toyota Prius when you are driving a 2000 pound racecar for a fraction of the cost and same gas mileage?
2009 Honda Civic Type-R
Ah yes, the Civic that got away. Or at least the version that never made it to America. Honda has been building their Type-R variation cars for years and only the Integra model made it to the U.S. market. For 2009, a completely different version Civic has been created for the Asian and European performance enthusiasts.
This three-door hatchback is only offered in the European marketplace and the bigger four-door version is only offered in Japan. Neither will ever be sold in America, even though Americans buy more cars from the Honda Motor Company than any other country. Lame? You bet. To make matters worse, the new Type-R Civic is the fastest and best handling version yet.
With a redesigned 2.0 liter iVTEC engine (variable valve timing with intelligence) this Civic screams to redline with 198 horsepower and 142 lb-ft of torque mated to a close-ratio 6 speed manual gearbox. With lightened body panels and suspension bits, the Type-R weighs in at 2793 pounds, which allows it to sprint to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds with a top speed of 146 mph.
With an 8000 rpm redline and one of the quickest shifting transmissions on the market, this Type-R wins in the best-to-drive category of all compact European cars. The revised steering system and stiff Honda suspension setup makes this the closest a Civic can get to an actual racecar. Prices start at $18,000 (U.S. dollars) and the Type-R also manages an impressive 31 miles per gallon on the highway.
2009 Ford Focus RS
Hold on, the Ford Focus is available in America, right?
Yes, the boring econo-box from Ford has been available is the states for quite some time. But this is the Focus RS, and it is utterly spectacular compared to the model we are all used to. You see, in Europe they actual race the Focus models in the WRC (World Rally Cross) and these little Fords win many of the races, suprisingly. That is why they offer the Focus RS (“Rally Sport”) only in Europe, because of rally regulations, which state the rally cars must be based on production version cars.
This Focus, unlike the American version is fast, it looks good and handles amazingly. It is the best RS version yet. It features a turbocharged 2.5 liter-5 cylinder engine that produces a whopping 300 horsepower and 302 lb-ft of torque. All this power is put through the front wheels, which usually creates the infamous “torque steer”. This is the phenomenon when too much power is put upon the front wheels and the tires tend to spin upon hard cornering. But this new RS employs a “RevoKnuckle” system to split this rush of torque between the front wheels in an efficient fashion, so that handling speeds are not sacrificed.
The European Focus will also feature 19 inch racing wheels, sticky Continental tires and big vented disc brakes in the front and rear for 2009. A six-speed gearbox and hip-hugging Recaro racing seats should keep the driver comfortably-busy, during spirited drives on dirt roads and highways. All these features should add up to an all-around amazing sports car for everything from track days to work commutes. Pricing and mileage results have yet to be released by Ford, but more coverage will follow as the release date for the new RS is set of early 2009.
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Warmbold WRC Ford Focus Rs WRC
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Ford Focus RS WRC 01 Rallye monte Carlo new in case $15.41 |
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Renaissance Resin kit 1/24 Ford Focus WRC RS08 Monte Carlo 2008 $202.02 |
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Renaissance 1/24 Ford Focus WRC RS04 #1 2004 for Hasegawa CR34 $31.49 |
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Renaissance 1/24 Ford Focus WRC RS05 2007 Upgrade set for Hasegawa $31.49 |
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Renaissance 1/24 Ford Focus WRC RS03-04 Bumpers for Hasegawa kit $24.15 |
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1:24 Hasegawa FORD FOCUS RS WRC 2003 FINLAND #CR-34 $34.99 |
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TAMIYA FORD FOCUS RS WRC 01 TB01 1:10 RC N.I.B. KIT COLIN MCRAE $41.09 |
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MINICHAMPS 1/43 FORD FOCUS RS WRC MARTIN-PARK RALLYE MONTE CARLO 2003 RARE $19.75 |
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Studio27 Transkit 1/24 Ford Focus RS WRC MC 2001 for Tamiya kit $45.84 |
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FORD FOCUS RS WRC in WHITE 1/32 DIECAST MODEL NEW BOYS TOYS $15.79 |
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AUTO ART 1/43 FORD FOCUS RS WRC SAINZ-MARTIN RALLYE CATALUNYA 2002 $1.90 |
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MINICHAMPS 1/43 FORD FOCUS RS WRC HIGGINS-THOMAS NETWORK Q RAC RALLY 2001 RARE $11.85 |
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IXO Ford Focus RS WRC, Rally Car..1/43. Diecast model 2006 ” $5.53 |
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ixo Ford Focus RS WRC EVO3 #4 Winner Finland Rally 2003 M. Martin M Park 1/43 $14.99 |
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ixo wrc 2002 Ford Focus #4 RS 02 C. Sainz / L Moya Winner Argentina 2002 1/43 $14.99 |
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ixo wrc 2002 Ford Focus RS 02 C. Mc Rae N. Grist Winner Acropolis 1/43 $14.99 |
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1/43 FORD FOCUS RS WRC 08 RALLY SWEDEN 2010 MARCUS GRONHOLM $23.69 |
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1:18 Bburago Ford Focus RS WRC Plain Body in White, Rally Very Rare!! $29.99 |
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SUNSTAR 1:18 FORD FOCUS RS WRC RALLY ACROPOLIS 2003 3901 $47.99 |
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Vitesse Ford Focus RS 2003 Acropolis WRC Race Car #5 $2.99 |
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Ford Focus RS 07 WRC #24 Rally Catalunya Daurada 2008 1/43 IXO $20.53 |
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SIMIL’R 1/24 KIT FORD FOCUS RS WRC 2010 $46.00 |
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COSWORTH KEYRING & STICKERS FORD WRC SIERRA ESCORT RS SAPPHIRE FOCUS $9.48 |
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Ford Focus RS WRC 01 Rallye monte Carlo new in case $15.41 |
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1/18 FORD FOCUS RS WRC 2002 C.Mcrae/Grist AutoArt RARE $142.23 |
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RAM407 IXO Ford Focus RS WRC #3 Winner Rally Sweden 2010 Hirvonen-Lehtinen 1:43 $23.00 |
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Simil R 1/24 Ford Focus RS WRC 2010 / Tamiya Studio 27 Revell Rally Ken Block $75.00 |
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1/43 IXO Ford Focus RS WRC 08 #.6 4th Rally Norway 2009 $25.99 |
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Ford Focus WRC RS ST poster print 36 x 24 inch Large $9.47 |
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Ford Focus WRC RS ST poster print 36 x 24 inch Large $9.47 |
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Ford Focus WRC Rally Car RS ST poster print A2 size $9.47 |
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FORD FOCUS RS WRC in WHITE & FOCUS ST in SILVER 1/32 SAICO DIECAST MODELS NEW $24.48 |
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SUNSTAR 3923 Ford Focus RS WRC die cast model car Gronholm Rautianen 2007 1:18th $63.20 |
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Tamiya 51021 RC Ford Focus RS WRC 03 Wheels – 4pcs $6.20 |
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Minichamps Ford Focus RS WRC Monte Carlo Rally 2002 $56.10 |
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MINICHAMPS 1.43 FORD FOCUS RS WRC RALLY ARGENTINA 2003 $49.24 |
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IXO 1:43 FORD FOCUS RS WRC #46 RALLY MONZA 2006 ROSSI $45.29 |
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2011 FORD FOCUS RS WRC in DIAMOND WHITE 1/32 SAICO DIECAST NEW boys toys $15.79 |
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1/43 Minichamps Ford Focus RS WRC Valentino Rossi Winner Monza Rally Show 2006 $84.99 |
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CM’s 1/64 Scale Rally Car Collection Ford Focus RS WRC01 2001 Monte Carlo $7.99 |
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CM’s 1/64 Scale Rally Car Collection Ford Focus RS WRC06 Limited Edition B Set $11.99 |
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CM’s 1/64 Scale Rally Car Collection Ford Focus RS WRC06 Limited Edition A Set $11.99 |
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Ford Focus RS WRC “ROSSI” Monza 2005, Minichamps 1/43rd scale 436068446 $40.00 |
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FORD FOCUS RS WRC Rallye Monte Carlo 2001 1/43 scale model ALTAYA $18.95 |
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FORD FOCUS RS WRC #3, Hirvonen 1st 2009 Rally Acropolis, IXO #RAM376 1/43 NEW! $28.99 |
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FORD FOCUS RS WRC 08 GRONHOLM-RAUTIAINEN 1:43 SWEDEN’10 $33.00 |
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CM’s 1/64 Scale Rally Car Collection Extra Japan Ford Focus RS WRC04 2005 #4 $9.99 |
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