RallySport Magazine understands that if everything proceeds well, the purchasers of the first batch of imported kits could have their standard Fiesta converted in time to compete in the first round of the Australian Rally Championship in 2012.
With the Australian Rally Championship converting to a front-wheel drive format in 2013, the Fiesta R2 will be a serious championship contender at a significantly reduced cost to an R3 specification vehicle.
The price of the Fiesta R2 kit is the same across the world, as the RRP is based on a fixed price in Great Britain Pounds, converted to the local currency. Initial calculations will see the car and kit available for somewhere between $50,000 and $55,000. The resellers are also hoping to have a special introductory price for the first 10 cars to be purchased with a kit, hence the price range.
The Fiesta R2 is based on the Ford Fiesta Sport model, however, as some markets, including Australia, do not have this model, homologation of the four-door Fiesta Zetec hatch available in the Australian and American markets is underway.
The R2 has been built from a standard conversion kit developed by M-Sport, the British firm responsible for Ford’s World Rally Championship program.
The kit to convert the car to rally specification includes engine parts to lift the engine performance. The gearbox has also been replaced for a sequential shift unit with a limited slip differential, with the brakes and Reiger suspension also added. Beyond these specific items, M-Sport has used as many standard Ford components as possible in order to reduce costs for the competitor.
The kit comes with everything needed to convert a road going Fiesta to the R2 competition vehicle, including engine components, transmission, suspension, brakes, roll cage, seats, belts, fire extinguisher system, instruments and a detailed assembly manual including templates for cut-outs, etc.
The technical specifications for the Fiesta R2 are;
Donor vehicle: Ford Fiesta 1.6 Sport/Zetec S. Models dated from September 2008 (please note reference above to homologation of 4 door Fiesta Zetec for other markets)
Engine: 1.6 Zetec 16V – 1598cc –Ti-VCT; 4 cylinders in line; DOHC; 16 valves; alloy cylinder head and block; variable cam timing
Power: 170PS @ 7,500 rpm from 97 octane fuel
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. Two bolt clamped front upright. Adaptor pin mounted in uprights with spherical bearing connected the lower arm. Five stud hub.
Brakes Gravel (front): 285mm AP ventilated discs with four piston calipers
Asphalt (front): 310mm AP ventilated discs with four piston calipers
Rear: 280mm AP ventilated disc with single piston calipers
Hydraulic handbrake
Steering Electric power-assisted steering
Wheels Gravel: OZ 6” x 15”
Asphalt: OZ 6.5” x 16”
Bodyshell: Welded T45 steel multipoint roll cage. 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
Competitors interested in further information on the R2 conversion kit should send an email to r2rallysport@gmail.com
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