Official press release:

THE GHIA "FOCUS"

"A Roadster for the Nineties"

Turin Show debut for Ghia’s new high performance roadster

A dramatically styled high-performance roadster based on the new four wheel drive Escort RS Cosworth has made its debut at the Turin Show this month.

Created by Ghia, Ford’s Turin-based international design studio, the "Focus" is a fascinating blend of modern technology and traditional craftsmanship. 'The concept of the "Focus" is to combine the satisfaction of driving a compact, powerful but responsible four wheel drive supercar with the exhilaration of travelling in the open air", declares Filippo Sapino, Ghia’s Managing Director.

The "Focus" has been developed as a fully driveable prototype - not as a static motor show concept. By the nature of its design, it is capable of going into low volume production with the minimum of delay.

Ghia has based the car around regular production Ford components. It is built on an Escort RS Cosworth floorpan which has been shortened by 100mm and uses the 227 horsepower, turbocharged, catalyst equipped 16-valve Cosworth engine and the Ford MT75 all synchromesh 5 speed transmission with permanent four wheel drive.

A carbon-fibre composite material was chosen for the exterior body panels because it combines exceptional strength with low weight. Its use has enabled Ghia to create an extremely strong and rigid body without resorting to the conventional steel reinforcements usually necessary to maintain torsional rigidity.

The "Focus" design is intended to be a shape which conveys the sense of sports car motoring’s fun and freedom while generating the muscular look of a high performance machine which provides its drivers with a feeling of safety and security.

The waist-line rises to a high point behind the seats where the body wraps around and behind driver and passenger for maximum roll-over protection. A particularly ingenious feature is the provision of protection bars at the sides and rear to resist parking impacts.

When not in use, a hardtop is stowed in a compartment behind the seats. In addition to the hardtop, Ghia has devised a soft top that is quick to erect.

The gun-metal grey metallic exterior body colour was chosen to emphasise the form of the "Focus" and as a deliberate contrast to the bright colours that have predominated in recent years.

The design of the interior and exterior has been carefully integrated to give the car a balanced and harmonious feel.

The all enveloping cockpit for the driver and passenger generates the impression of travelling in a single-seat racing car.

The large, wrap-around seats are asymmetrical in shape and have a less pronounced cushion wrap round on the door sides to aid entering and leaving the vehicle.

Seats and door panels are trimmed in a combination of thick natural hide in conjunction with a soft leather. The interior floor is finished in wood. Rivetted aluminium - another traditional car maker’s medium - is also used in the interior.