Porsche has announced...
Porsche has announced a limited edition version of its acclaimed Cayman S mid-engined coupe. Going on sale in November, the “Porsche Design Edition 1”÷ will be a special series of just 777 cars worldwide, dominated by an all-black design motif running through the car, and each identified by a badge on the lid of the glove box. Cosmetically the influence of the Porsche Design Studio has resulted in a lot of dark materials: there"s black leather and Alcantara upholstery, a black centre console, fascia console, and door trims, while the three-spoke sports steering wheel, the gear lever, the handbrake grip, and the roof lining are clothed in non-slip black Alcantara. The Porsche logo crest is embossed on the seat headrests, and the instrument dial layout echoes that of Porsche Design timepieces.
It"s clear from the...
It"s clear from the mag"s exclusive shots that the drop-top Focus will retain the standard version"s all-new front-end design, but feature many bespoke panels at the rear. As with the hatch, the nose takes inspiration from the Mondeo family car and C-MAX MPV - as well as the Mazda 3, which shares the new Focus"s platform.
Using a similar roof mechanism to its folding hard-top rivals, the new car will offer the versatility of a coup탩 along with the sun-seeking fun of a convertible. The Ford system is to be operated electrically with no manual catches. But the unique selling point will be the generous space available when the roof panels are stowed.
Maintaining a practical boot space is set to give this model the edge over rivals. The next-generation Focus is longer than the current version, so designers have the space they need to fit the extra roof mechanicals without significantly compromising rear storage.
Inside, the Focus CC is to be a strict four-seater, unlike the standard hatchback, which will seat five. However, the angle of the rear window should provide plenty of headroom for all, while the C-MAX-style dash, again carried over from the hatch, will provide a high-quality feel.
Under the bonnet, blue oval bosses have plenty of options. The new three and five-door Focus models are to come with a petrol line-up ranging from a 79bhp 1.4-litre powerplant to a 129bhp 2.0-litre engine from launch.
The CC is likely to use a selection of these units mated to either manual or automatic gearboxes, while a hot ST version, using the 160bhp 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine from the Mazda 6, is also in the pipeline. And there"s likely to be diesel power, too, as long as the engineers can achieve acceptable levels of roof-down refinement.
Hatchback variants will have a choice of 90bhp or 110bhp 1.6-litre oil-burners, as well as the 136bhp 2.0-litre diesel unit from the C-MAX. Either of these engines would easily slot under the bonnet of the CC.
As with any convertible, however, the Ford will pose many engineering challenges which have to be overcome in order to maintain the structural rigidity of the car on which it"s based. With the forthcoming hatchback expected to offer class-leading handling, it"s crucial that the CC is equally good fun to drive - and just as dynamically capable. As a result, expect an exhaustive development programme to get underway soon after the introduction of the standard version.
Safety is also a vital concern, and because there"s no fixed rollover bar, the windscreen surround will have to be reinforced so that it can cope with the entire weight of the car in the event of an accident. The front-wheel-drive CC will also be fitted with all of Ford"s latest hi-tech active and passive safety equipment, including a comprehensive stability control system and a full complement of airbags.
The Focus"s launch schedule will begin on 1 January 2005, when the three and five-door hatchbacks go on sale in the UK. These will be followed in the spring by saloon and estate versions. The coup탩 cabriolet variant will arrive under 18 months later.