Control, Agility, Precision... and Awesome Brakes
 "The brakes will stop you in a distance that puts it in exotic car territory."
Andy Slankard, SVT Focus program manager
From the time the Ford Focus first appeared in Europe, it received high praise for outstanding driving dynamics. The basis for this performance is a highly rigid platform and a good suspension design, which meant that Ford’s Special Vehicle Team (SVT) engineers had a head start in fine-tuning a package that delivers both outstanding handling and comfort.
"The Focus ZX3 is a fantastic car, which made our job that much easier," said Andy Slankard, SVT Focus program manager. "There’s no mystery about the reasons for its great driving dynamics; it has really well-engineered chassis and suspension systems. We didn’t have to make any major changes - just some tuning to give us the extra control, agility and precision we wanted."
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| The SVT Focus front brake rotor measures 11.8 inches (300 mm) in diameter. With a correspondingly larger caliper, total swept area increases to provide exceptional stopping power. |
To create the kind of controlled yet compliant suspension SVT is renowned for, SVT engineers selected springs that are stiffer by 10 percent on the front and 20 percent on the rear, compared with those on the Focus ZX3. Spring rates on the SVT Focus are 129 lb./in. on the front and 157 lb./in. for the rear.
There are solid anti-roll bars front and rear, with a diameter of 21mm for both. The front bar is one millimeter larger in diameter than the one on the Focus ZX3. The shock absorbers have been retuned for agile handling, with softened impact harshness and improved roll damping.
The boost curve on the power rack-and-pinion steering system has been retuned to give the driver heightened feel and precision control.
The SVT Focus has standard power four-wheel disc brakes with a four-channel, four-sensor anti-lock system. It is the only North American Focus model available with rear disc brakes and ABS as standard equipment.
The car’s impressive braking capabilities are the result of increased swept area under the 17-inch wheels. The 300mm (11.8 inches) vented front rotors are 42mm (1.65 inches) larger in diameter than those on the ZX3, and have a correspondingly larger single-piston caliper. These brakes are specially made for the SVT Focus, and require a special steering knuckle.
Solid rear rotors measure 280mm (11.0 inches) in diameter and also have single-piston calipers.
The wheels are fitted with Continental 215/45R-17 ContiSportContact tires that provide a high level of grip and directional stability, making the braking system remarkably effective.
"These brakes will stop you so quickly, in such a short distance - it’s territory that is usually reserved for exotic cars," said Slankard. "This car’s stopping power is awesome."
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