The Ford Fiesta RS Concept
Published: 7th March 2004
Ford Fiesta RS Concept
No Compromise
The Fiesta RS concept breaches no compromise on three fronts: body styling, road-holding and engine performance. It is intended for drivers who want to explore the edge and it is sure to inspire tuners who want to exploit its potential even further.
Key styling features first seen on the RallyeConcept have been retained, including distinctive cooling vents in the front bumper, deep side rockers and the bold rear spoiler. Like the RallyeConcept and the Fiesta JWRC, the Fiesta RS concept also sports white ceramic-coated brake callipers and exhaust tips.
Its wide, hunkered stance with 18-inch JWRC-inspired alloys and low-aspect performance tyres sitting in generously extended wheelarches, immediately communicate the performance purism you would expect from an RS-badged Ford. The wheel track measures just 20 mm narrower than the ultra-wide JWRC’s stance and the suspension is overtly sporting, reflecting an insatiable appetite for curves.
Under the bonnet, the Fiesta RS concept’s engine is derived from the 2.0-litre Duratec HE engine that is a mainstay of the Mondeo range. Ford engineers, led by Leo Roeks of TeamRS, Chief Engineering Products FordTeamRS, have created the 150PS version for Fiesta ST and they believe a 180PS plus variant would be the entry level target for a production version of the Fiesta RS concept. Roeks also believes that the concept’s dynamic capabilities would allow aftermarket tuners to derive even more powerful versions.
"Fiesta RS concept shows how we intend to continue to treasure the RS brand," Capito said. "We are staying true to the very roots of the Ford RS brand, with products that will appeal to the more extreme performance car enthusiasts. If we go ahead and produce the Fiesta RS concept, it would join the new Fiesta ST to demonstrate how two distinct Ford performance brands can complement our mainstream models. I believe that future Ford performance cars will be true to their heritage and exploit to the full the outstanding vehicle dynamics that are recognised to be an intrinsic part of the modern Ford range."
