Fiesta R2 proves its popularity on European tour

M-Sport announce price for all-new Ford Fiesta R2 rally car

Posted: August 3, 2009 3:24 PM

M-Sport has announced the price and full specification of the new Fiesta R2 rally car conversion kit.

The R2 conversion kit is designed to fit to the standard 1.6l 3-door Ford Fiesta Sport (Zetec S in the UK and Ireland) road car. Fifty kits will be available from M-Sport from the 1 September and will be priced at £18,995 + VAT and delivery. These are available for immediate order.

The R2 rally car took part in another successful drive day at Rally Finland on Thursday as part of the Europe-wide tour that has already seen it visit Belgium, Poland, Turkey, Spain, Slovenia and Italy.

There will be further drive days throughout August in Estonia, Latvia, Ireland, the UK, Austria, Germany and France. The Fiesta R2 rally car is targeted at competitors in the Fiesta SportTrophy series, as well as in regional rally championships.

Further information regarding the Fiesta R2 can be found on the website

www.FiestaR2.com

Posted: August 3, 2009 3:22 PM

Craig Breen driving the Ford Fiesta R2 at the Chatsworth Rally Show.

Fiesta R2 proves its popularity on European tour

Posted: July 23, 2009 7:21 PM

The all new Fiesta R2 is reaching the halfway point of its tour of Europe, recently stopping in Spain, Slovenia and Italy, where the car was demonstrated to keen groups of media and rally drivers alike.

The Fiesta R2 has been designed to replace the hugely successful Fiesta ST rally car. The new vehicle is targeted at competitors in the Fiesta SportTrophy series, as well as in regional rally championship. The knowledge gained from the development of the GpN Fiesta ST and the world-title winning Ford Focus RS WRC has been transferred to the creation of the Fiesta R2 under the leadership of M-Sport’s Principal Engineer Chris Williams, who was also responsible for the design of the Fiesta ST.

Following events in Belgium and Poland in June, the M-Sport-designed Fiesta R2 began the second leg of its European tour in Spain, where journalists joined ex-Ford WRC driver Markko Märtin for the car’s first overseas Tarmac test. The Estonian driver put the car through its paces in Vic where both the driver and passengers were impressed by the pace of the new vehicle.

With FST International Shootout winner Matthias Boon back at the wheel in Slovenia, the Fiesta R2 was demonstrated at the Blagomix Kart circuit in Logatec. The R2 was the centre of attention on the mixed gravel and Tarmac surface and 28 passengers, including the Slovenian candidate for Miss Universe, Mirela Korać, were given an experience of the car’s performance.

From Slovenia the R2 tour made the short journey to Italy and the Quattrorute Test Track near Pavia, just south of Milan. Boon took the wheel again to give 20 satisfied journalists a spin on the Tarmac circuit.

The Fiesta R2 will embark on the next leg of the European tour at the end of July when it will visit Neste Oil Rally Finland before making stops in Estonia and Latvia, Sweden, Austria, Germany, France, the UK and Ireland during the month of August.

The five-speed Fiesta R2 rally car is based on the Ford Fiesta Sport (Zetec S in the UK and Ireland) using the 1.6L Ti-Vct 120PS (1598cc) base engine as in regular production. It is built from a standard conversion kit developed by M-Sport.

The kit to convert the car to rally specification includes engine parts to increase the engine performance. The gearbox has been replaced for a sequential shift unit with a limited slip differential, along with upgraded brakes and Reiger suspension. Beyond these specific items, the intention is for the car to use many standard components from the Ford Fiesta and other Ford road vehicles to reduce costs for the competitor.

Ex-Ford WRC driver Markko Märtin said:
“It is the first time I have driven this car and, although it is a small car, the truth is that it is very fast and fun to drive. It is light and has 163PS and good torque. It is 120kg lighter than the previous GpN Fiesta ST and has brakes that allow you to brake later without any problem. The Reiger suspension works very well and the car is very stable with good traction and very little understeer. The sequential Sadev gearbox with five gears works very well and it’s possible to change gear with your foot down.”

More Details:

www.FiestaR2.com

All new Fiesta R2 embarks on European odyssey

Posted: June 9, 2009 5:44 PM

Following its successful debut at Rally d’Italia Sardegna last month the all-new Ford Fiesta R2 rally car is set to embark on a Europe-wide tour next week, taking in 14 different countries with FST International Shootout winner Matthias Boon (BEL) at the wheel.

The R2, with its striking red and white livery, successfully completed Rally d’Italia Sardegna as a course safety car before heading to the Chatsworth Rally Show where current FST UK contender Craig Breen won the opportunity to give the car its first British public introduction.

The R2 has been designed to replace the hugely successful Fiesta ST rally car, which has sold around 280 kits in 27 different countries around the globe and has taken 16 class wins in 21 WRC events since 2006. The new vehicle is targeted at competitors in the Fiesta SportTrophy series, as well as in regional rally championships and is sure to garner plenty of interest as it is launched across Europe at a series of roadshows.

The first will take place in Lommel, Belgium following the Ypres Rally next weekend and the car will then visit Germany before arriving at Rally Poland.

Slovenia, Italy, France, Portugal, Sweden and Finland will all host drive over the summer months. And, as well as stops in the UK and Ireland, the car will also visit Estonia, Latvia and Austria.

The knowledge gained from the GpN Fiesta ST and the world-title winning Ford Focus RS WRC has been transferred to the creation of the Fiesta R2 under the leadership of M-Sport’s Principal Engineer Chris Williams, who was also responsible for the design of the Fiesta ST.

The five-speed Fiesta R2 rally car is based on the Ford Fiesta Sport (Zetec S in the UK and Ireland) using the 1.6L Ti-Vct 120PS (1598cc) base engine as in regular production. It is built from a standard conversion kit developed by M-Sport.

The kit to convert the car to rally specification includes engine parts to increase the engine performance including pistons, conrods, camshafts, valve springs, injectors, airbox, air filter, spark plugs and a sump baffle kit. The gearbox has been replaced for a sequential shift unit with a limited slip differential, along with upgraded brakes and Reiger suspension.

Beyond these specific items, the intention is for the car to use as many standard components from other Ford road vehicles in order to reduce costs for the competitor. Standard conversion kits will be available from M-Sport or an appointed national sales outlet.

M-Sport managing director Malcolm Wilson said:
“We have been delighted with the response that we have received to the Fiesta R2 since its launch in Sardinia. Its predecessor, the GpN ST, has been a hugely successful and popular rally car around the globe and we are sure that the Fiesta R2 will be equally well-received thanks to the experience and knowledge that has gone into creating it. Along with the S2000 Fiesta, which is currently under development at M-Sport, the Fiesta R2 provides an important opportunity for rally competitors to graduate from grass roots level to WRC using Ford vehicles. These roadshows are an excellent opportunity for drivers to be one of the first in their country to experience the Fiesta R2 and we are looking forward to seeing the response that it generates from across Europe.”

Further information regarding the Fiesta R2 and European Tour dates can be found on the website

www.FiestaR2.com

Posted: May 21, 2009 12:21 PM

Fiesta R2 Specification

Posted: May 21, 2009 12:20 PM

Donor vehicle:
Ford Fiesta 1.6 Sport / Zetec S. Model dated from September 2008 for purchase from any source. Promotional price available from M-Sport.

Engine:
1.6 Zetec 16V – 1598cc – Ti-VCT; 4 cylinders in line; DOHC; 16 valves; alloy cylinder head and block; variable cam timing.

Power:
163 PS @ 7,500 rpm

Torque:
182 Nm @ 5,700 rpm

Transmission:
Five speed sequential gearbox developed by Sadev with plated limited slip differential and uprated driveshafts. ECU developed by Pi with flat shift feature with full throttle closed loop control shift.

Suspension:
Reiger adjustable dampers with Eibach springs, spherical jointed top mounts front and rear. Front dampers adjustable for bump and rebound. Standard rear beam with uprated mounts. 2-bolt clamped front upright. Adaptor pin mounted in uprights with spherical bearing connecting the lower arm. Five stud hub.

Brakes:
Gravel (front): 285 mm AP ventilated discs with four piston competition calipers.
Asphalt (front): 310 mm AP ventilated discs with four piston competition calipers.
Rear: 280mm AP ventilated discs with single piston calipers.
Hydraulic handbrake.

Steering:
Electric power-assisted steering.

Wheels:
Gravel: OZ 6”x15” Gravel
Asphalt: OZ 6.5”x16” Asphalt

Bodyshell:
Welded T45 steel multipoint rollcage. Optimised seat position and integrated dash bar. Jacking points optional and seam welding is permitted.

Electronics:
Bespoke instrument cluster by Visteon in the same style as the standard series cluster.

Dimensions:
Length: 3953mm. Width: 1722mm. Height: 1481mm. Wheelbase: 2490mm. Weight: 1030kg.

New Ford Fiesta Group R rally car launched at Rally d'Italia Sardegna

Posted: May 21, 2009 12:17 PM

An all-new Ford Fiesta R2 rally car, based on the top-selling Ford Fiesta road car launched last year, was unveiled at the Rally d'Italia Sardegna this evening. Designed to replace the hugely successful Fiesta ST rally car, the new vehicle is targeted at competitors in the Fiesta SportTrophy series around the globe, as well as in regional rally championships.

The Fiesta R2 will conform to the latest FIA regulations and satisfy strong customer demand for an exciting yet affordable point of entry into rallying. While the car will not compete in Sardinia, it will be driven as a course safety car ahead of the main entry by FST International Shootout winner Matthias Boon (BEL) and co-driver Massimiliano Bosi (ITA).

The development bodyshell for the R2 project was revealed by M-Sport at the Autosport International Show in the UK in January 2009. As one of Europe’s biggest motorsport shows, the project generated great interest and excitement from potential competitors and the public alike. Work on the base design of the car, the result of successful engineering co-operation between M-Sport and Ford, is now almost complete and engineers are undertaking a comprehensive test programme in readiness for a proposed homologation date of 1 July 2009.

The five-speed Fiesta R2 rally car is based on the Ford Fiesta Sport (Zetec S in the UK and Ireland) using the 1.6L Ti-Vct 120PS (1598cc) base engine as in regular production. It is built from a standard conversion kit developed by M-Sport.

The kit to convert the car to rally specification includes engine parts to increase the engine performance including pistons, conrods, camshafts, valve springs, injectors, airbox, air filter, spark plugs and a sump baffle kit. The gearbox has been replaced for a sequential shift unit with a limited slip differential, along with upgraded brakes and Reiger suspension. Beyond these specific items, the intention is for the car to use many standard components from the Ford Fiesta and other Ford road vehicles to reduce costs for the competitor. Standard conversion kits will be available from M-Sport or an appointed national sales outlet.

The knowledge gained from the world-title winning Ford Focus RS WRC has been transferred to the creation of the Fiesta R2 under the leadership of M-Sport’s Principal Engineer Chris Williams, who was also responsible for the success of the Fiesta ST, which sold in 27 different countries.

Last month M-Sport announced the development of a Super 2000 Fiesta for competition at the sport's highest level. These two vehicles, the Super 2000 and the R2, will create a complete ladder of opportunity for rally competitors to graduate from grass roots level to WRC using Ford vehicles. Further information regarding the Fiesta R2 can be found on the new website www.FiestaR2.com from Friday 22 May.

M-Sport Managing Director Malcolm Wilson said:
“The development of this car has created a lot of excitement over the past few months and I’m delighted that we have now been able to unveil the Fiesta here in Sardinia. There’s no doubting that the R2 has large boots to fill: the GpN Fiesta ST is still achieving frequent class wins around the world and has finished as high as 25th overall in the WRC, an amazing feat for a small car. The experience and knowledge that our engineers have gained with the ST has been key in developing the R2 into a more ‘sophisticated’ car, whilst it has inherited the basic strength and reliability that made the ST so popular – and all at a lower cost than other competing manufacturers.”

Ford of Europe Motorsport Director Mark Deans said:
"The continued commitment of M-Sport to its Fiesta SportTrophy series is great news and we are eager to see the new Fiesta in rallying. The road car has deservedly received huge acclaim since its launch last autumn and will provide the perfect base vehicle. I'm confident the R2 will play a key role as the ideal entry-level car. The development of this car is a product of enthusiastic collaboration between Ford and M-Sport and, allied with the recently-announced Super 2000 Fiesta, offers a complete ladder of opportunity to guide ambitious and talented drivers from the sport's base level through to the very top in Ford vehicles. While Ford of Europe's principle motorsport activity remains the FIA World Rally Championship, we will do everything we can at a local level to support the Fiesta SportTrophy in individual markets and we wish M-Sport every success with their new Fiesta projects."