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Saleen’s Newest Creation is More Show Than Go

It’s called the Racecraft Focus RS2, but I’d be hard-pressed to find anything racy about it. Steve Saleen is a man who made his mark on the world by modifying Ford Mustangs. Now he is focusing (no pun intended) on the company’s budget-oriented Racecraft brand.

The first offering is the RS2 Focus. A tarted-up Ford Focus with a body kit, massive (but heavy) 18” wheels, and cheesy side graphics. It will also get suspension modifications with the addition of stiffer springs, high-performance valves and larger sway bars which should let the Focus corner in a racy manner, at least.

Under the hood, the RC2 will get a 15-horsepower boost over the stock 143-hp rating, thanks to the dual-tipped exhaust and cold-air intake. All those race car looks and less power than a Volkswagen GTI stock. Saleen says the car is only a starting point for tuners though. Its SpeedLab branch is currently developing a host of performance parts for the Focus as well as other Ford models such as the Edge and Fusion. Rumors have pointed at a turbocharger conversion, which should really add a performance boost (pun intended!).

The RC2 will begin production in the first quarter of 2009. It will carry a base price of less than $20,000, which should at the least leave you with some cash to upgrade that measly engine.

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Is that a cheesy hood scoop I see? Tisk, tisk, tisk.