Been in australia, and stopped at a ford dealer, they seem to have picked up on the srt-4 concept. http://www.ford.com.au/newfocus/xr5/ I wonder if they will ever bring it to the states. I would love to race one with my srt. The salesman said they were pretty smooth, would be good competition for srt. I hate to say it, but anything american, let it be ford or gm, and I will like it, or at least give it a chance. Cars here in australia are very expensive. The xr5 was going to be around 40,000au. Still about 30,000american. Didn't see any neons here, but a few 300s and some jeeps. Chrysler does not seem to be very popular here.

 

owned 2 other focus's a 02 zx3 junk n ever ran right to begin with and then there big boy model the 05 st and it started when it wanted to so we got rid of that and got the srt 4

 

Chryslers aren't popular in Australia because Americans buy all of them up here!!!

Dusty

 

that thing is pretty sick !!! recaro seats and all ... we got the ponies beat though it puts out 222

 

I don't have much info on it, but here's what I've found: "This is the hottest Ford Focus hatchback soon to hit the streets in April 2006. The Ford Focus XR5 Turbo. It’s powered by a 2.5 liter Duratec 20-valve 5-cylinder engine. I highly suspect this powertrain comes from Volvo. The 2.5L Turbo Duratec makes 222 horsepower at 6000rpm and 320Nm of torque at a nice low 1600rpm on a 1362kg hatchback. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission which drives the front wheels. Can you say “torque steer�? Top speed is 241km/h and it will take you from 0 to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds."

It is said to be out this May with a *$35,990 price tag (*Excluding dealer delivery and statutory charges).

With a price tag that large and 0-62.14 MPH in 6.8 seconds, I don't see it being any competition for the SRT-4.

 

OK, not to bore you (pun intended) with mathmatical comparisons.. Let's take a look;

2.5 litre..... 5 cyl.....That would be more then wouldn't it (2.4 4 cyl. in SRT-4)

220 HP@ 6K... It ain't no 230 @ 4950 RPM (some discrepency as of late on Dodge's site, go figure when I'm trying to make a point!!)
NE way, 320 nm of torque @ a nice low 1600 RPM??? first of all, how does a nm compare to a ft/lb., secondly, bite me, it's a FORD!!
Next, dry curb weight = 1362 kg (which = 2996 lbs.) compared to 2970 for SRT- 4

gist... Smoke'em

 

320nm = 236ft/lb

 

The motor is a volvo motor, and the sales guy drove one and said it handled full boost through corners very well, is he bais??? I don't know, chrysler isn't that popular, but it is interesting to see what else is out there. I liked telling the sales peole about the srt 4 and telling them it's faster than most of the cars over there. The nissan guy was trying to hype the 350z and I told him it wasn't as fast as my neon, he seemed to be a little skeptical, but was curious. Just wish america would get all the cars that are avalible around the world.