Road Test: 2004 Ford Racing Focus RS8 vs. 2004 Lamborghini Gallardo
Of course, our gear can't measure the parameters we really needed for this test: endorphin levels, heart rates, and synapse-firings in our brains' pleasure centers. All we can tell you is this: We had a ripping-good time flogging the cars, and both endured our best efforts to destroy them (the Focus's undersized radiator was good for only three hot laps, but the engine never missed a beat).
This matchup proved irrelevant, irreverent, and stupid fun. Those who lust for a Gallardo couldn't care less about a $100,000 Focus with an engine swap. And the kinds of guys who dream up radical rides such as the RS8 would be bored to tears with something off the rack, even the designer Italian exotic rack. Evidently a properly tuned oddball mongrel can--on a certain day, on the right track, with the stars lined up just so--at least stick a needle in one of today's most engaging supercars.
We now return you to our regularly scheduled reportage.
Meet FrankenFocus's Makers--F.M.Ford Racing Technology is the Blue Oval's super sandbox. Here six engineers and a handful of purchasing, PR, and marketing folks manage to test, develop, and distribute 1100 parts, all of which are aimed at making Fords faster, better handling, and more fun. The group originated in 1983 to support teams racing Ford vehicles. That function continues today, but as the aftermarket racing parts business has burgeoned in recent years, FRT created the Ford Racing Performance Parts group to supply hardware for all Fords participating in any form of sport. McLaren Engineering provides technical and fabrication support in much the same way Roush Industries supports FRT's sister organization, the Special Vehicle Team (SVT). FRT keeps three sales and support trailers on the road from February to December, visiting sport-compact meets, hot-rod shows, and racing events. It supports a USAC midget-racing series powered by sealed Focus engines. But perhaps most fun is the development of showcars like 600-horsepower UPS trucks and rear-drive monster-motored Foci.
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