Launching the Focus wasn't easy, especially with the 19-inch wheels and tires. Launches above 3,000 rpm were completely fruitless. There was too much power in this case, and the wheels spun all the way in First gear to the 6,500 rev limit. Dropping or feathering the clutch made little difference. The best run came from right around 3,000 rpm and a clutch drop. That netted us a run from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 15.2 seconds at 94.29 mph. Rather interestingly, a factory-built turbocharged Focus is featured in the October '99 issue of Car & Driver. Also built to be a street car like FasTrax's, Ford's Focus R concept car posted a 7.0-second zero-to-60 run and a 15.4-second quarter-mile pass at 91 mph. We were impressed with the Fastrax Focus' times, and beating Ford's own in-house turbocharged effort is just extra gravy.
Driven on the street, the Fastrax turbocharged Focus ZX3 displays a very useable powerband. As opposed to many turbocharged Civics, there is virtually no turbo-lag with this car. Just step on the throttle and go. It certainly doesn't sound like your ordinary Focus, either, with the T28 spooling up and the TiAL blow-off valve venting excess air. The Focus also handles pretty well, thanks to the wide rubber and H&R coilovers at each corner, though we don't think you'd want to run 19s on the street all the time.
Overall, FasTrax's Focus ZX3 made a pretty strong showing. It's fast for the street, looks different, but keeps things mild enough to be reliable. Plus, it's a real domestic that can match up against the imports. Is this the start of the hatchback's new-world order? We'll have to wait and see
Fast facts
Owner Fastrax Turbo Technologies
Ride 2000 Ford Focus
Hometown Torrance, California
Daily Grind the turbo aficionado
Under The Hood Fastrax turbo setup including: Garrett T28 turbocharger, Spearco intercooler, HKS AIC, RC Engineering fuel injectors, TiAL blowoff valve, Focus Sport spark plug wires, MSD Dis-2 ignition system, Esslinger adjustable cam gears, HKS exhaust, Hose Techniques silicone hoses
Outside Wings West body kit, Hella Projector headlights Motorsports M3-style side mirrors, Fiber Images carbon-fiber hood.
Inside Sparco Torino seats, Carcraft interior trim, HKS 60mm gauges (boost, fuel pressure, coolant temperature, oil pressure), Kurtz Kustomz shift knob.
Stiff Stuff H&R coilovers.
Rollers 19-inch T5 RH Evolution wheels, 225/35ZR19 Toyo Proxes tires
Sounds Alpine CVA-1005 in-dash video, VPE-V180A VCR, CHA-5624 CD changer; MB Quart 5 11/44-inch front speakers, 10-inch subwoofer; Phoenix Gold amplifiers.
Props Focus Sport, Image Auto Body, Fiber Images, Kurtz Kustomz, R&D Dyno.
By Frank Rio
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