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Cool Coupé Leads Secret Fords

Ford's engineers have clearly begun work on preparing the new Focus Vignale Coupé Cabriolet for sale. Bearing the name Professor Peach on its front wings, the car is seen having its chassis tuned in Germany in this week's magf.

By Dan Strong

05th April 2005

The coup΃© is one of three new Focus models - including ST and RS variants - our spies have exclusively snapped in the last week. Professor Peach refers to the engine under the bonnet of the prototype. Engineers often develop codenames to disguise the true identity of the cars being tested.

Aimed at the Peugeot 307 CC and Renault M΃©gane C+C, the Vignale Coup΃© Cabriolet is based on the three-door hatchback. To accommodate the fully electric top, the rear of the car is extended and the bootlid hinged to allow the two-piece roof to stow beneath. The folding sequence will take around 30 seconds, but the mechanism has been designed to allow for luggage room even with the top down.

Extra bracing across the rear will make up for the loss of the roof, while reinforced windscreen pillars boost body stiffness and provide extra protection in the event of an accident.

Inside, suede and Alcantara is set to be reserved for flagship models, although special aluminium trim will appear across the range. The car retains the back seats of the three-door, but as with its rivals, rear legroom will be at a premium.

Mechanically, the Vignale picks the best of the Focus engine line-up, with the 1.6-litre Ti-VCT and 2.0-litre Duratec petrol engines expected to be popular. The 2.0-litre TDCi diesel could be offered, too. Ford also has the option of creating a hot ST version of the CC, slotting in the Volvo-sourced 2.5-litre turbo motor. The Focus CC is likely to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, with the base model expected to start at around ΂£18,000, rising to more than ΂£20,000 for the range-topper.

Meanwhile, the burgundy ST170 prototype is new, as it clearly has five doors. Although official pictures, seen in issue 845, revealed it in three-door form, the test car suggests that a five-door model will also be available with the 217bhp, 2.5-litre turbo powerplant. The ST170 range has previously included an estate, too, but there are no immediate plans to add one to the new line-up.

Far away from the testing of CC and ST versions, engineers are working on the fastest production Ford hatchback ever - the new Focus RS. Tipped to offer 300bhp from its 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine, the four-wheel-drive machine is being developed to offer the ultimate Focus driving experience.

This latest picture shows how the three-door-only RS will come with a wider front track. Extra cooling for the more powerful engine also features, while the test car is fitted with new wheels previously unseen on the Focus.

Not expected to go on sale before the end of 2007, there are still several obstacles to the car's development, including price. However, customers are apparently already expressing interest in the newcomer, which will cost at least ΂£27,000 when it hits the road.

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