History Car 2000s

Ford Focus RS WRC (2001–2009)

Overview Specs Highlights Characteristics

Overview

Ford's Focus World Rally Car programme began in 1999, before the date range of this particular archive entry. Its 2001–09 evolution spans two major production-derived body generations: the first-generation Focus WRC carried forward into the early 2000s, while the second-generation Focus RS WRC 06 first appeared at the end of 2005 and became the championship-winning platform.

M-Sport, led by Malcolm Wilson, developed and ran Ford's WRC works programme. The RS WRC 06 was not simply a facelift: new packaging, aerodynamic work, a turbocharged Duratec-family engine and an integrated Ricardo five-speed transmission/centre-differential assembly defined a substantive redesign.

The World Rally Car Focus remained in top-level competition into 2010, beyond the 2001–09 date range of this existing page. The 2006 and 2007 manufacturers' titles should not be mislabeled as drivers' titles; Sébastien Loeb won the drivers' championships in both years with Citroën entries.

Technical Specs & Innovations

  • Class: FIA World Rally Car, as distinct from a showroom Focus RS road car or a Group N Focus
  • Developer: M-Sport in conjunction with Ford, with specialist powertrain and driveline suppliers
  • Generation I: First-generation Focus rally car developed from the 1999 debut through 2005 evolutions; the present article begins with 2001
  • Early Focus RS WRC01/02 engine: A 2001 factory-press-based specification lists 1,991 cc, around 300 bhp at 6,500 rpm and 550 Nm at 4,000 rpm; do not assume the later Pipo-built Duratec calibration was identical
  • Focus RS WRC02 transmission: Period company-press-derived specifications list an X-Trac 240 six-speed sequential gearbox, distinctly different from the 06 generation's five-speed Ricardo unit
  • Focus RS WRC02 dimensions: Published WRC02 reference: 4,152 mm long, 1,770 mm wide and 2,615 mm wheelbase, with a cited 1,230 kg rally weight; those are not WRC06 or road Focus dimensions
  • Focus RS WRC03 evolution: A separate period WRC03 reference retains a 1,991 cc turbo four-cylinder and X-Trac six-speed, showing evolution within the first-generation chassis rather than a 2006 gearbox retrofit
  • Generation II: New second-generation Focus RS WRC 06 debuted on the 2005 Rally Australia and was substantially developed for 2006–09
  • Engine, 06 generation: Turbocharged 2.0-litre Duratec-family inline-four prepared by Pipo Moteur according to WRC's manufacturer heritage
  • Power, 06 generation: Approximately 300 bhp, WRC heritage figure; not a road Focus ST or RS engine rating
  • Induction: Turbocharging, charge-air cooling and rally-spec electronic fuel/ignition management, with stage-specific boost calibration
  • Engine layout: Front-transverse four-cylinder driving both axles via competition gearbox and driveline
  • Transmission, 06 generation: Ricardo and M-Sport integrated five forward speeds plus reverse into a transverse sequential transmission package
  • Shifting, 06 generation: Hydraulically actuated gear changes; the 06 package should not be confused with the gearbox of every 1999–05 variant
  • Centre differential: Active differential in Ricardo's 06 design managed fore/aft torque distribution
  • Hairpin manoeuvrability: Ricardo states the 06 centre driveline could disengage the rear axle for tight hairpin-style manoeuvres
  • Rear final drive: Ricardo developed a two-stage rear final drive to package the fuel tank/exhaust while lowering centre of gravity
  • Body: Reinforced production-derived steel Focus hatchback shell with competition safety structure
  • Width and aero: Works WRC wide-body, large aero devices and redesigned airflow; exact dimensions vary across the original and second-generation cars
  • Suspension: MacPherson-derived independent competition struts and surface-appropriate suspension tuning
  • Brakes: Ventilated rally disc/caliper systems with tarmac and gravel-specific packages; not stock Focus braking
  • Driveline controls: 2006 integrated hydraulic gearshift and differential actuation; electronics require period-specific attribution
  • Tyres and setup: Surface-specific wheel/tyre, geometry, damping and gearbox ratio choices for asphalt, snow and gravel
  • Model-year caution: Focus RS WRC 06 designation began with a car introduced in late 2005; the WRC 09 remained competitive after 2009

🏆 Competitive Highlights

  • 1999 model debut: The Focus WRC works programme started before this archive's named period; do not backdate its origin to 2001.
  • 2005 Rally Australia: The next-generation Focus RS WRC 06 made its competitive debut at the final event of 2005.
  • 2006 Monte Carlo: Marcus Grönholm and Timo Rautiainen won on their Ford debut with the new Focus, opening a successful season.
  • 2006 manufacturers' title: Grönholm/Rautiainen and Mikko Hirvonen/Jarmo Lehtinen delivered eight event wins for Ford and its first manufacturers' championship since 1979.
  • 2007 manufacturers' title: Ford defended the manufacturers' crown with the second-generation Focus; Grönholm challenged for but did not win the drivers' title.
  • 2008–09: Later WRC evolutions remained competitive with Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala; these were further updates, not a third wholly unrelated model.
  • Programme total: Ford's published history credits both Focus generations together with 44 WRC wins and 142 podiums across its complete 1999–2010 programme; those are not achievements limited to 2001–09.

Driving Characteristics

The integration of an active centre differential with hydraulically controlled shifting allowed the 06 team to manage traction on mixed grip and accelerate consistently out of corners. Ricardo's rear-drive disconnect feature was a specific engineering solution to low-speed hairpin manoeuvres, not proof that all Focus WRC generations used identical drivelines.

Packaging the rear final drive, exhaust and fuel tank together mattered for weight distribution and ground clearance; these are measurable design targets, rather than generic claims about 'perfect balance'.

Each generation demanded its own suspension, gear-ratio, differential and tyre setup. Short-wheelbase-style agility or precise brake sizing should not be presented as a universal Focus WRC characteristic without a chassis- and season-specific reference.

Development & legacy

The Focus RS WRC's two manufacturers' titles marked Ford's return to the top of WRC's constructors' standings. The 06 redesign and supplier-developed driveline are central to explaining that success, while the earlier Focus and later 2010 entries merit separate context.

Research sources & verification

← Previous Car Subaru Impreza WRC2001–2008
Back to Cars Index
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC (2001–2005) Next Car →

Watch rallies anywhere — bypass region blocks with NordVPN.

Fast servers for HD streams Servers in 60+ countries 30-day money-back

Unblock coverage — Save up to 77% + 3 months free

Sponsored link. Using our partner links helps support Compromised Internals at no extra cost to you.