Cosworth coming? Driven, 3rd February 2004
Here are the latest shots of the 2004 Focus: it's set to be officially revealed soon, at May's Birmingham Motor Show if not at Geneva in March. The all-new range, which shares its basic platform with the recently-launched Focus C-MAX MPV, the Volvo S40/V50 and the Mazda 3, will come with new 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre SCi direct-injection petrol engines, the latter as already offered in the Mondeo, and revised versions of the 1.6- and 2.0-litre TDCi diesels. A new semi-automatic gearbox will be offered in higher-powered variants, with steering wheel-mounted controls and a double clutch system similar to that in Audi's DSG 'box. High-performance versions will follow - including, so we hear, that long-awaited Focus Cosworth, as well as RS- and ST-badged models.

The Focus Cosworth is expected to be a stripped-out, lightweight no-compromises model to top the range, with the four-wheel drive system as used in the upcoming Volvo V50 T5. Power output is said to be between 220bhp and 240bhp, from either a turbocharged 2.0 four-cylinder or a version of the hottest Volvo five-cylinder unit (as in the T5). It's not going to be as subtle-looking as the outgoing Focus RS: a large rear wing, aggressive body kit, large alloys and a fully sported-up interior with racing-style seats are all on the cards. The new RS, on the other hand, will be less extreme than its predecessor, delivering around 180bhp when it arrives early next year; the ST, due this autumn, is likely to give around 150bhp.