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Ford is using the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show to showcase its 2012 Ford Focus Race Car Concept, a vehicle designed to compete in road and touring car championships around the world.

Powered by Ford’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, the red and white rocket is expected to make its first race appearance in the 2011 British Touring Car Championship.

Based on the standard upcoming Focus road car, the Focus Race Car Concept features a Super 2000-specification roll cage, Recaro racing seat, AST performance coil-over adjustable dampers and upgraded Ford Racing sway bars with adjustable end links.

Other racing touches include 18in Anthracite wheels, Hoosier race tyres, fire suppression system and a six-point safety harness.

Ford director of global performance vehicles and motorsport business development, Jost Capito, said the brand’s commitment to motorsport had positive follow-on effects to its standard road-going vehicles.

“The development of the Focus touring car will provide valuable input as we develop the upcoming Focus ST production car,” Mr Capito said.

“It’s very similar to how the Mustang team was able to apply learnings from the Ford Racing Boss 302R to the 2012 Mustang Boss 302.”



The 2012 Ford Focus Race Car Concept will be on display alongside three custom concepts by Ford Vehicle Personalisation, FSWerks and 3dCarbon, as well as the all-new road-going Ford Focus, which will hit North American roads early next year.

Ford is putting out some cool products lately they seem to be taking a real interest in the enthusiast market with things like the Fiesta rally car kit in the US and UK and now this and the Mustang with a race key. FPV take note