In developing the Ford Focus RS WRC, BP-Ford Abu-Dhabi World Rally Team's technical director Christian Loriaux and his team did not seek to take huge steps forward because such leaps are impossible under the regulations. Instead they concentrated on making minor, but significant, developments in several areas. Here are the technical data with Loriaux's thoughts on the improvements that he and his team of engineers developed.

Although the Focus ST model on which the World Rally Car is based uses a 2.5-litre, five-cylinder engine, rallying rules do not permit an engine of that size. However, the regulations do allow teams to use another engine from elsewhere in the Ford Focus model range, so when designing the 2006-specifcation car M-Sport opted for the 2.0-litre Duratec unit, with the addition of a turbocharger and the mandatory 34mm inlet restrictor.

Engine specifications:
- Ford 1998cc Pipo built I4 Duratec WRC engine.
- Four cylinders, 16 valves.
- Bore: 85mm. Stroke: 88mm.
- Pi electronic engine management system.
- Turbo: Garrett turbocharger (with FIA required 34 mm inlet restrictor).
- Air intercooler. Catalytic converter.
- Power: 300 bhp at 6000 rpm
- Torque: 550 Nm at 4000 rpm

Transmission specifications:
- Permanent four-wheel drive with M-Sport designed active centre differential.
- Pi electronic differential control units.
- M-Sport / Ricardo five speed sequential gearbox with electro-hydraulically controlled shift.
- M-Sport / Sachs multi disc carbon clutch.

Suspension specifications:
- Front and rear: MacPherson struts (front) and Trailing-Arm (rear)
- Reiger external reservoir dampers, adjustable in bump, rebound and fabricated steel links.
- Front and rear anti-roll bars. Cast steel uprights. Ceramic wheel bearings.

Brakes:
- Gravel (front and rear): 300mm Brembo ventilated discs with four piston monoblock calipers.
- Asphalt (front and rear): 370mm Brembo ventilated discs with eight-piston monob. calipers.
- Hydraulic handbrake; Adjustable front / rear bias.

Steering:
- Power-assisted high-ratio (12:1) rack and pinion. One and a half turns lock to lock.

Wheels:
- Gravel: 7in x 15in (magnesium) wheels with Pirelli 650mm tyres.
- Asphalt: 8in x 18in (magnesium) wheels with Pirelli 650mm tyres.

Bodyshell:
- Unitary construction. Unique composite side panels. Welded T45 steel safety roll cage.
- Aerodynamic rear wing. Unique front ‘bumper’ treatment.

Electronics:
Full Pi chassis and engine data acquisition for on-event diagnostics and performance development.

Fuel tank:
FIA FT3 tank, 94 litre capacity, located centrally.

Dimensions:
Length: 4362mm. Width: 1800mm. Wheelbase: 2640mm. Weight: 1230kg minimum.