Take a plucky 1.0 litre Formula Ford race car, pit it against some of the titans of the supercar world and add to the mix one of the most unforgiving racing circuits on the plant. The result: a classic underdog story!
This year, Ford have been busy boasting about their new baby, a three-cylinder 1.0 litre EcoBoost engine, recently given the accolade of 2012 International Engine of the Year. Currently available the in the Focus, we also expect to see it offered in the B-MAX, new Fiesta and C-MAX very soon. However, the last place we expected to find it was roaring around the hair-raising straights and corners of the legendary Nürburgring in Germany.
Well, thanks to several months of hard graft by Ford engineers, a unique Formula Ford race car powered by the tiny 1.0 litre petrol engine has wiped the floor with the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Pagani in that very arena. The specially tuned turbocharged 202 BHP powertrain replaced Ford’s usual 180 BHP 1.6 and promptly powered driver Nick Tandy in to the record books, recording the 11th fastest lap ever at the Nürburgring in a blistering time of 7 minutes 22 seconds. The nimble racer clocked 0-62 MPH in less than four seconds, posting a top speed of 159 MPH.
Hugely impressive in itself, but only after you have cast your eyes further down the list, past such illustrious names as Aventador, Enzo and Zonda, does the true enormity of the feat hit home.
Even better, the record setting car has also been modified to be fully street legal! Understandably, Ford say this little gem isn’t going on sale any time soon.
You can see a video of production and testing right here.
