The News.(Brief Article)

Street-legal Cosworth

Ford and engine developer Cosworth Technology have enjoyed a long partnership in racing, but for the first time the two manufacturers will team to produce a Cosworth-powered street machine for the North American market.

The engine will debut in the 2002 SVT Focus hatchback (AW, Feb. 19). It will be a Cosworth-revised 2.0-liter Zetec four capable of 170 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque, compared with the standard ZX3, which produces 130 hp and 135 lb-ft of torque. Ford and Cosworth say 85 percent of that torque will show up at just 2200 rpm, thanks to increased intake flow, variable valve timing, a tuned exhaust manifold and a boosted compression ratio.

Mini plus 1 for BMW

Confirming long-running rumors, BMW has announced its small-car model will be dubbed the 1 Series. The new series, to be launched in 2004, will fit between the current 3 Series and the soon-to-debut Mini. BMW promises to introduce ``all BMW virtues'' into the 1 Series, which will occupy the upper end of the lower midrange segment. Among those attributes will be rear-wheel drive, crisp BMW handling and high quality, BMW CEO Joachim Milberg says.

Milberg also announced a successor to the 6 Series coupe is on the calendar for introduction in the next few years.

No smoking, please