- Characterful turbocharged five-cylinder engine is strong throughout the rev range
- Excellent ride/handling balance
- Supportive Recaro front seats
- Requires premium unleaded petrol and is thirstier than rivals
- No cruise control
- Tyre noise
- Underwhelming interior finishes
Review: Ford LS Focus XR5 Turbo (2006-07)
Overview
Released in Australia in April 2006, the Ford Focus XR5 Turbo was a five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Saarlouis, Germany, and marketed internationally as the Focus ST, the front-wheel drive Focus XR5 Turbo was powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine that was mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
B5254T3 engine
Manufactured by Volvo, the 2522 cc B5254T3 five-cylinder petrol engine had an aluminium block with an 83.0 mm bore and 93.2 mm stroke, a gravity die-cast aluminium alloy cylinder head, a forged steel crankshaft running on six main bearings, forged steel connecting rods with fracture-split big ends, silicon-aluminium alloy pistons with graphite sleeves, sequential electronic fuel injection, a KKK K04-2080 D turbocharger (which provided peak boost pressure of 0.65 bar), an intercooler, double overhead camshafts with direct-acting mechanical shimless tappets, four valves per cylinder, sintered valve guides and seals, Bosch ME 9.0 engine management and a compression ratio of 9.0:1. The intake and exhaust camshafts featured variable valve timing with an adjustment range of 50 and 30 crankshaft degrees, respectively.
Over the combined ADR 81/01 test cycle, fuel consumption for the Focus XR5 Turbo was 9.3 litres per 100 km. The Focus XR5 Turbo required 95 or 98 RON premium unleaded petrol (PULP).
M66W transmission
The Focus XR5 Turbo had a six-speed M66W manual transmission with synchromesh on all ratios, a 228 mm (diameter) single dry clutch and dual mass flywheel.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XR5 Turbo | 2.5-litre B5254T3 turbo petrol I5 |
6sp man. | 166 kW at 6000 rpm | 320 Nm at 1600-4000 rpm |
Dimensions and body
The Mk.2 Focus was based on Ford’s C1 platform which also underpinned the Mazda BK Mazda3 . Compared to the LS Focus, the Focus XR5 Turbo was 21 mm longer (at 4362 mm) and 4 mm taller (1447 mm), though same width (1840 mm, excluding mirrors) and wheelbase length (2640 mm) were unchanged. Furthermore, the Focus XR5 Turbo had a kerb weight of 1437 kg and cargo capacity of 362 litres.
Compared to the Mk.2 Focus, the XR5 Turbo chassis was strengthened with an additional cross-member which spanned the spring strut covers in the engine bay.
Suspension
The Focus XR5 Turbo had MacPherson strut front suspension with offset coil springs, gas-filled dampers, lower L-arms and a 21.5 mm (diameter) anti-roll bar. The independent Short-Long Arm (SLA) multi-link rear suspension (Ford’s ‘Control Blade’) had gas-filled dampers and a 21 mm anti-roll bar.
Compared to the standard LS Focus, suspension changes for the XR5 Turbo included:
- 30 per cent stiffer front and rear springs;
- larger diameter anti-roll bars;
- a 15 mm lower ride height, though suspension travel remained at approximately 200 mm; and,
- stiffer rubber housings for the rear lower control arms.
Steering
The Focus XR5 Turbo had an electro-hydraulic, speed-sensitive steering. The computer-controlled electric steering pump had three selectable settings – ‘comfort’, ‘normal’ and ‘sporty’ – which varied the level of power assistance.
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the Focus XR5 Turbo included dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.
Brakes
The XR5 Turbo had 320 mm by 25 mm vented front brake discs and 280 mm by 11 mm solid rear discs.
Euro NCAP crash testing
In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2004 Mk.2 Focus hatchback that was fitted with dual front airbags, front side airbags and full-length curtain airbags received a five star adult occupant safety rating with a score of 35.46 out of 37. This result, however, included two points for driver and passenger seatbelt reminders – in Australia, a driver’s seatbelt reminder was not fitted until May 2008.
Features: Focus XR5 Turbo
Standard features for the Ford Focus XR5 Turbo included 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with 225/40 R18 tyres, an eight speaker Sony sound system with a six-disc in-dash CD player and auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm), Recaro front seats, an eight-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, air conditioning, front fog lights, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows, power adjustable and heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a height adjustable driver’s seat, scuff plates, alloy sports pedals, tinted windows, front map lights and vanity mirrors, a trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.
Compared to the standard LS Focus, the LT Focus XR5 Turbo could be identified by its flared wheel arches, front bumper with an inverted-trapezoid lower grille, brushed aluminium fog lamp accents, sill mouldings and twin exhaust pipes. Inside, there was also black headlining, unique graphics for the gauges and an additional instrument pod displaying boost pressure, oil temperature and oil pressure.
Symposer
The XR5 Turbo had a ‘symposer’ which consisted of a thin hose that ran from the area between the charge air cooler and throttle valve to the bulkhead; the purpose of the symposer was to transfer induction noises into the cockpit.
Paint colours and seat trim
The LS Focus XR5 Turbo was available in Panther Black, Sea Grey, Moondust Silver, Colorado Red, Performance Blue and Electric Orange paint finishes. For the Panther Black and Colorado Red paint finishes, the Recaro front seats had ‘dark flint’ bolsters with red inserts. For the Sea Grey, Moondust Silver or Performance Blue finishes, grey inserts were used. Finally, the Electric Orange paint finish was accompanied by orange seat inserts.
Options
Extra-cost options for the Focus XR5 Turbo included ebony leather seats, Electric Orange premium paint and Prestige paint.
Related links
Specifications
Review: Ford LT Focus XR5 Turbo (2007-08)
Overview
The LT Focus XR5 Turbo was released in June 2007, though its appearance, safety equipment and features were unchanged from its LS predecessor.
| Body | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XR5 Turbo | 5dr hatch | 2.5-litre B5254T3 turbo petrol I5 |
6sp man. | 166 kW at 6000 rpm | 320 Nm at 1600-4000 rpm |
Related links
Review: Ford LV Focus XR5 Turbo (2008-11)
Overview
Released in June 2008, the LV Focus XR5 Turbo could be identified by Ford’s ‘kinetic’ design language which included extended headlights, new front fog lights and a door crease which extended from the front wheel arch to the fuel filler cap.
| Body | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XR5 Turbo | 5dr hatch | 2.5-litre B5254T3 turbo petrol I5 |
6sp man. | 166 kW at 6000 rpm | 320 Nm at 1600-4000 rpm |
Features
Standard features for the LV XR5 Turbo were extended to include Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition and LED tail-lights.
Options
Extra-cost options for the LV Focus XR5 Turbo included ‘GT-style’ ten-way adjustable Recaro leather seats with heated front seats, a power tilt/slide sunroof and overhead body stripes for select colours.
Brochures
Related links
