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Early performance testing conducted by Ford place the acceleration to 100km/h at less than 6.0 seconds.

Unfortunately, previous reports were accurate with the RS model featuring front-wheel drive rather than the popularly speculated all-paw configuration - albeit with the addition of a Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing limited-slip differential.

In addition to this, Ford has also developed a unique front suspension setup, an innovative ‘RevoKnuckle’ system is designed to reduce unwanted steering disturbance and torque steer - apparently eliminating the need for AWD according to Jost Capito, Ford Europe’s Director for Performance Vehicles.

“Our work has shown clearly that our approach in combining a tuned RevoKnuckle with the Quaife differential is an ideal solution for a high performance front-wheel-drive road car like Focus RS”, said Jost Capito.

“As you would expect, we gave all-wheel-drive careful consideration, but by combining and tuning these elements and learning from Ford’s expertise in industry-leading handling, we have managed to eliminate the weight of AWD from the car and still have been able to target a class-leading balance of traction, handling and performance. The result is a lightweight set-up, that will deliver the right blend of traction and razor sharp controllability” Capito concluded.

The Focus RS also features a host of handling and suspension upgrades including a 40mm wider track, lengthened driveshaft, revised springs and dampers, a thicker, longer rear anti-roll bar, retuned steering system and Ford’s ESP system featuring a custom calibration designed specifically for the RS.

The exterior treatment truly speaks for itself - hardly what you would call a subtle sports hatch, making its debut in a flamboyant hyper green finish with contrasting gloss black highlights to the front bumper, grille, side inserts and high-mount rear spoiler.

The cabin of the RS also receives a sports makeover with two tone Recaro race bucket seats, carbon-look centre console and brushed aluminium accents.

The new Focus RS will go on sale in Europe in early 2009, with Australian sales likely to come shortly after - possibly under the FPV nameplate.

Source: CarScoop

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New European pedestrian safety standards are expected to drastically alter the design of many European cars for the worse, but BMW will not only maintain its classic twin-kidney grille design, it will reduce the length of the front overhang.

As is typical of most recent BMW redesigns, this 5-series will add some space between the wheels by extending the wheelbase nearly 10 centimetres and widening the track. The overall length will grow by less than 2 centimetres, while its height will be reduced slightly and its width increased by a fraction.

A set of 17-inch wheels will be the smallest available with 18- and 19-inch wheels optional.

Under the hood, this 5-series is expected to use variations of existing engines in BMW’s line-up. Base power will likely come from a 2.5-litre straight-6 while top-range models will use the current 4.8-litre V8.

A wild card could be thrown into the mix if BMW attempts to combine its latest turbo technology with a V8 of slightly smaller displacement. Also in the works is a more powerful version of the M5’s 5.0-litre V10.

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The latest generation features many subtle exterior design changes in an attempt to shed the much criticised appearance of the previous model, these revisions extend to the kidney grille, tail lamps, and the especially controversial decklid with integrated spoiler which BMW maintains was an aerodynamic necessity.

The new 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine introduced in the X6 and in a recently spied X5 will also power the 7-Series, producing 298kW and 609Nm mated to a slick six-speed automatic transmission.

An additional 3.0-litre 243kW twin-turbo six-cylinder petrol engine and 182kW diesel engine are also confirmed for the range, however market allocation for each power train is yet to be announced.

Speculation also suggests a gas-electric hybrid model could also be available next year following the launch line-up, using the two-mode system developed in three-way cooperation with General Motors and Daimler - kicking-off what will eventually become an extended range of hybrids in coming years.

The 2009 7 Series boasts all new suspension comprising lightweight aluminium components, featuring BMW’s newly developed Dynamic Damping Control as standard which adjusts the degree of damping force and the gearshift dynamics of the automatic transmission, as well as the control maps for the gas pedal and steering assistance at the touch of a button.

A technical showcase, the new generation features optional extras including active steering, night vision with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control with a new stop-and-go capability, massaging rear seats and rear view and side view cameras.

Inside, the gear-lever returns to the centre console from its previous position on the steering column whilst BMW’s iDrive system also makes an appearance with more readable graphics on an updated and better-integrated screen - and even integrates the owner’s manual in digital format.

The CS concept on which the new 7-Series is based has not yet been relegated to the history books, with BMW planning to bridge the gap between the 7 Series and Rolls-Royce, where its job will be to fend off advances from the coming Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide.

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