Ford of Austria Prices the 300HP Focus RS at €39,000 and Releases New Performance Figures

Despite the fact that we're still a few months away from the market launch of the all-new Ford Focus RS (click here for more info and 22 high-res photos) that made its world premiere at the London Motor Show this past July, Ford's Austrian arm has released plenty of new and important details for the sport hatchback including preliminary pricing and revised performance figures.

When Ford introduced the vehicle in London, the company said that the Focus RS with its 300HP 2.5-liter turbocharged inline 5-cylinder engine would sprint from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in under 6.0 sec and on to a top speed of 260 km/h (162mph) or more. According to the firm's latest tests, the Focus RS accelerates from standstill to 100km/h in 5.9 sec and achieves a maximum speed of 263 km/h or 164mph.

The fastest ever European Ford production car will be available in Austria from summer 2009 priced from €39,000 or $50,800 with the current exchange rates. Comparatively, the 225HP Focus ST which forms the base for the RS, starts from €29,980 in Austria.

The new Focus RS will be offered with three different exterior colors: "Performance Green", "Indianapolis Blue" and "Frost White" each with the choice of blue or green color matched interior. Alternatively, a full black leather option will be available for all three exterior colors.

ABT LaunchesTuning Package for VW Scirocco

*Updated with New Photos

ABT is one of the first tuners to get its hands on the new Volkswagen Scirocco which has just began arriving at the firm's European dealerships. The Kempten-based VW Group specialist has prepared an aggressive bodykit for the sport coupe that includes a new front bumper with a lip spoiler, side skirts with air inlets, a larger roof spooler, a rear skirt that incorporates a diagonally attached set of four tail pipes and a boot wing. The exterior package is complemented by new alloy wheels available in sizes 18 to 20’’.

To improve the coupe's handling, ABT has developed a new sport suspension that brings the Scirocco 30 mm closer to the ground. This particular package (combined with 19-inch alloys) will be available in Germany from January 2009 at a price of €5,990 or $8,300 US. Furthermore, the German tuner also offers a sport brake system.

Last but not least, ABT has developed power refinements for all the engines that are offered on the Scirocco. With the power kit, the 1.4-liter TSI’s output rises from 160 to 200HP, the 2.0 TSI’s from 200 to 240HP and the 2.0 TDI’s from 140 to 170HP.

Honda: No Flashy Press Events at Detroit Show

Even though Honda is planning to debut the all-so-important Insight Hybrid vehicle at the 2009 Detroit motorshow in January, the Japanese automaker has decided not to stage any of the traditional flashy press events because of the depressed business conditions. "Normally we have a great TV moment with special effects to reveal a new model," said Honda's U.S. spokesman Chris Martin. "That's a very expensive prospect. Given the economic times, we just didn't see that as appropriate this year."

Honda decision to cancel its press conferences and events comes after a series of automakers including Nissan, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Land Rover, Ferrari and Rolls-Royce pulled out of the 2009 Detroit show altogether.

Via: Automotive News (Sub. Req.)