Every one a Quaife - Ford's new Focus RS showcases the benefits of the ATB differential

February 26th 2009

Quaife Engineering is delighted to announce that Ford's new 301bhp Focus RS comes equipped with the company's automatic torque biasing differential as standard equipment.

Having supplied 4500 ATB differentials for the Mk1 Focus RS, the seeds for the two year project were planted in 2005 when Quaife supplied ATB units for three Nurburgring 24 hour class winning Focus ST race cars which were prepared and entered by Team RS staff. This initial success, combined with the popularity of the helical gear automatic torque biasing differential in heavily tuned aftermarket Focus ST's to make the Quaife unit a natural choice for the 8,000 unit program.Quaife's ATB differentials are a fit and forget direct swap for the original factory ‘open' unit, require no servicing or special oils and come complete with a lifetime warranty - even for motorsport use.

They are 100% British made using Corus steel billets and then CNC machined using the latest robotic machinery. They are then hand assembled and rigorously inspected, as you'd expect from a company that's attained the internationally recognised TS16469 Quality standard.

Indeed such is the strength of the Quaife ATB that the original Focus ST production unit has required remarkably little redesign for the Focus RS application. The main changes required were adding an extra planetary pinion into the ATB unit, allowing for larger, stronger driveshafts to be fitted to the RS model.

Commenting on the project Quaife Engineering Director Michael Quaife said “We've enjoyed an ongoing dialogue with Ford and we're very pleased with the end results as they were a particularly good team to work with. Quaife has long been associated with the Ford brand and we're delighted that this is set to continue.”

“Naturally we're pleased that the initial press reviews of the car seem to be overwhelming positive. Even with 301bhp and 320lb.ft of torque being pushed through the front wheels the combination of the Quaife ATB differential and Ford's patented Revoknuckle front suspension is highly effective,” Quaife remarks.

But don't take our word for it, we'll leave it to the specialist motoring press to highlight the traction advantages a Quaife ATB differential can give your car!

“Even on a rough or wet surface the car takes off without drama, feeling for all the world as if it is four, not two-wheel drive…. You even wonder whether they're fibbing about how many wheels are being driven.”
Steve Sutcliffe, Autocar        http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Ford-Focus-2.5-RS/238343/

“Apply the power when cornering and it's clear the technology really works. Where the Focus ST would push wide, the RS grips and goes with the efficiency of a true supercar.”
Chris Thorp, Auto Express     http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/234174/ford_focus_rs.html

“You can accelerate on a bumpy road and not fire straight into the nearest tree. And here's the big news: it's better than all current four-wheel-drive systems in go-fast hatchbacks. It seems to chew at the road and extract the maximum grip from every inch of asphalt.”
Sunday Times  http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/in_the_showroom/article5772860.ece

Quaife Engineering's range of helical gear limited slip automatic torque biaising differentials covers car marques from Alfa Romeo to Volvo, so whether you're a trackday user, a fast road customer or a hardcore motorsport entrant, why not trade up to the Quaife traction advantage today?

Quaife's ATB differential is essential kit for winter driving - 12.2.09

As the worst winter for twenty years bought serious snowfall and treacherous driving in the UK and Europe, the conditions also showed how it's vital on any vehicle to maximise traction.

Which is where Kent based Quaife Engineering excels, as it's world famous for production of its automatic torque biasing helical gear limited slip differential (or ATB for short,) which excels is slippery conditions where grip is at a premium, greatly outperforming any factory electronic stability control system.

Here's why. Factory electronic stability control systems work by sensing and then applying the braking system to the road wheel that's spinning. This generates a torque reaction that helps the car back onto line, but such systems won't increase the traction of the car at all, as news footage of British roads highlighted.

The Quaife ATB differential works completely differently to increase traction. It's mechanical design is fully automatic in operation and works by sensing which wheel is spinning, then channelling the torque to the wheel enjoying the most grip. What's more it does so seamlessly and instantly, without the need for electronic intervention, providing drivers of front, rear and four wheel drive cars with a genuine traction advantage in all conditions.

And that means more grip when pulling away, more control when exiting a corner and crucially, more control under braking as the Quaife ATB's traction benefits also work under deceleration.

Tens of thousands of Quaife ATB units have been sold since the early 1980's to satisfied customers ranging from the world's largest OEM's to the amateur motorsport entrants, in applications ranging from military vehicles to road cars ranging from Alfa to Volvo, to specially designed James Bond stunt vehicles being driven in Artic Circle for the filming of Die Another Day.

But don't take Quaife's word for it, read this recent testimonial sent to Quaife distributor Kevin Bird from a Belgian customer on the 27th January 2009:-

“Today I had the pleasure of discovering my BMW 130i fitted with the QUAIFE LSD.
The car is entirely transformed, especially as it was raining today. Traction is vastly improved in slippery conditions without drama. Powerslides are predictable and absolute fun .I just love it, it's what I call improvement!”

And this is on a car that's fitted with the very latest electronic stability control systems, which highlights the effectiveness of the Quaife ATB differential in poor conditions.

The Quaife ATB - consider it part of your essential winter driving equipment!

Quaife enjoys an award winning time at 2009 Autosport International Show. 1.2.09

Leading automotive performance transmission manufacturer Quaife Engineering experienced a highly successful time at Europe's leading motorsport show, the NEC based Autosport International (ASI,) which ran from 8th - 11th January.

As a regular exhibitor since the event's inception, the show's high level of attendance from overseas buyers makes it a vitally important showcase for a UK based company such as Quaife Engineering, which successfully exports over 40% of its products across OEM, aftermarket and motorsport sectors.

ASI 2009 featured a radically different show layout, with Quaife debuting a revised stand in a new location compared to previous years. Pleasingly, despite the economic headwinds buffeting the automotive industry, Quaife enjoyed strong levels of interest in its vast range of product on show, in particularly the ultra-successful 60G in-line rear wheel gearbox, as well as a new Ford IB5 sequential unit, which provoked huge amounts of interest.

In addition, Quaife's innovative ZFQ62G replacement gearbox attracted many enquiries, as did the successful 61G six speed sequential Porsche transaxle unit. These engineering highlights combined with Quaife's impressive display of driveline components, including half shafts, drive flanges and its renowned ATB differential units, which for 2009 will feature as an OEM fitment in the exciting new Focus RS model, due to be released next month.

With a high footfall throughout the four day event, we are delighted that Quaife's efforts at 2009 ASI were officially recognised by Haymarket Exhibitions, which chose the firm as winner of the ‘The Best Trade and Technical Stand' award. Commenting on the achievement, Michael Quaife said “This award caps a brilliant show for us. With a huge number of enquiries from both domestic and overseas customers, it bodes very well that Quaife will enjoy a successful 2009.”

Due to strong demand across Quaife's range of differentials, gearkits and gearboxes advance orders are now being taken, so please contact Quaife early to avoid disappointment. “This high level of aftermarket and motorsport business, along with the volume OEM order for the Focus RS means a busy time for us,” comments Michael Quaife. “The combination will keep our twin production sites and Sevenoaks and Gillingham busy well into the year.”

Ford Focus ST with Quaife ATB Limited Slip Differential

Performance Ford magazine proves the value of the Quaife automatic torque biasing helical gear limited slip differential in a 350bhp Ford Focus ST.

 

When Nick Thomas, Deputy Editor of Performance Ford, the UK's leading Ford tuning title, approached Quaife with the idea of conducting a back to back performance test on the Quaife ATB helical gear limited slip differential we were keen to accept the offer.

  

As well we might, because the team at Quaife Engineering has enormous confidence in the performance and reliability of the ATB differential unit. That's why it's the number one choice for race and rally users, fast road customers and the world's leading car manufacturers including Ford, General Motors and Chrysler.

 

Even so, Performance Ford's results were astonishing - using a 350bhp tuned Focus ST, a baseline set of figures were generated using the original open Ford differential.

 

The Quaife ATB helical gear limited slip differential was then installed and the same tests conducted, albeit in worsening weather conditions, which left the test track greasier than before, yet the Quaife unit shaved a massive 1.4 seconds off the 0-100mph time, as well as trimming 0.3 seconds from the 0-60mph sprint.