The 2.5L turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine generates 300hp (224kW) at 6,500rpm and 325lb-ft of torque (440Nm)between 2,300 and 4,500rpm. Acceleration from a stop to 100km/h (62mph) takes just 5.9 seconds and the car carries on to a top speed of 263km/h (164mph). Pricing in Europe will reportedly be set at €39,000 ($51,644). Despite the rapid performance, it's fairly efficient, rated at 33.6mpg US (7.0L/100km) extra-urban and 17.5mpg (13.4L/100km) in town for a combined average of 25mpg (9.4L/100km), which translates to an average CO2 emissions of 225g/km. Both are due in part to the relatively low 3,227lb (1,467kg) curb weight.
Based on the same core as the Focus ST, the RS adds power, handling and appearance modifications to improve the car’s ability to put its power to the ground and direct it down the road, track or gravel path. To keep the potent engine from creating unmanageable torque steer, the engineers designed the car with a unique suspension called the ‘RevoKnuckle,’ which enables the car to keep the intended direction of travel even under heavy throttle. This works in conjunction with a Quaife automatic torque biasing limited-slip differential. Combined, the Focus RS obviates the need for AWD and the attendant weight gains of the extra differential and driveshafts.
“Front-wheel-drive was our preference all along. All-wheel-drive systems add cost, weight, inertia and consequently, fuel consumption. Compensating for the significant weight of an all-wheel-drive system requires dynamic compromises we preferred not to make," said Team RS Chief Engineer, Dirk Densing. "If you can achieve the performance you want without steering disturbance, then front-wheel-drive is a better performance car – lighter and with a more precise, linear steering response than AWD. With the work of our advanced research team in Aachen, we were able to achieve this and deliver something genuinely different.”
Changes to the standard Duratec 2.5L block include unique camshafts, a revised cylinder head and gasket and revised intake and manifold system. As well as the extra power, the Focus RS also receives a 40mm wider track, 19in wheels, 235mm tires, upgraded springs, dampers and anti-roll bars.
But serious performance isn't Ford's only goal for the RS - they want the car to look the part as well. “Imagine a Focus WRC roaring through a stage in Monte Carlo – you know immediately what it is from front graphics, flared arches, and distinctive livery. Our intention is to make Focus RS equally and immediately recognizable,” said Ford of Europe’s Executive Director of Design, Martin Smith.
To that end, customers will have three color options from launch, including the vibrant blue seen above, as well as green and white. Customers will also be able to match the interior trim with the exterior color or pick a full black leather option. Other features of the cabin include Recaro bucket seats, brushed aluminum accents and standard micro-fiber trim. The performance driving environment is completed by three additional gauges from the Focus ST, including a boost gauge, sitting atop the center console and angled toward the driver.
When it’s launched in the coming months, the new Focus RS will mark the return of the storied Ford ‘RS’ badge, last seen on the first-generation Focus RS in 2002 and with a heritage stretching back 38 years including Fiesta, Escort and Sierra models.
Reader Comments
Thu Jun 12 2008 10:25 AM
Renton says
Dear America,
You don't get this car.
Sincerely,
Ford.
PS -- Go F**k yourself America, please buy our other crap you retards.
Thu Jun 12 2008 10:27 AM
chris says
..a better, more powerful, nicer looking, mazda speed3 with a much nicer interior. yes please
Thu Jun 12 2008 11:18 AM
chris says
renton; you could get a mustang GT for this kind of money. just thought you should know.
Thu Jun 12 2008 11:24 AM
bambam says
envy anyone
Looks like Australia is getting some. Like always.
I prefer the mustang thank you. despite its looks.
Thu Jun 12 2008 11:34 AM
VDubbin says
No mention of AWD, but 400 torques is going to be a handful in a FWD car...
Thu Jun 12 2008 1:16 PM
Gus says
Isn't a "rally" car supposed to have 4wd?
Thu Jun 12 2008 4:42 PM
Ivan says
Gus,
It's rally "inspired" car . . .
Thu Jun 12 2008 5:07 PM
Renton says
I'm not in the market for a Mustang or this Focus, just bashing here. :-)
Good car on GT5 though..........one of the best FWD cars.
Thu Jun 12 2008 5:13 PM
jeff says
sick paint job
Thu Jun 12 2008 7:17 PM
Gus says
Well, the Evolution and WRX are Rally Inspired Cars as well, and they have 4wd.
I'm sure it's a fun car to drive, but with that much torque steer and no better traction than any other car, the word "Rally" should not be in the name...
Fri Jun 13 2008 1:48 AM
Ryan says
Is the grill emblem a skull and crossbones? That should be standard trim on all Hi-Po FoMoCo cars!!!
Fri Jun 13 2008 11:51 AM
chris says
gus; FWD just sucks in general. but this car is almost identical to the speed3 on paper and let me tell you, with 270 hp and ft.lbs, that thing manages AMAZINGLY. the torque steer is worse on my 140 hp focus. I'm certain that this car would actually be done better than the speed3.
as far as "rally inspired"... I don't think its fair to STi and EVO to call them rally "inspired". these two cars are literally street going rally cars. they arent full spec WRC cars, but there are rally leagues built around these two cars. Its the equivalent of your BOSS 427 mustangs from the 70's. literally road going NASCARs. race on sunday, drive on monday. and 4WD is a short sell as well, they're AWD cars, some of which are able to send 100% of the engine power to any one wheel.
Thu Jul 3 2008 12:53 PM
Chris says
yeah that's looking very much like the WRC version. damned shame it doesnt have the AWD... but oh well. yeah thats hot. i give it the stamp of approval.
plus the pictures look too... real. some renders are amazingly well done.. look like studio photography.. where as this looks like it was relatively quickly snapped off in a white room.
Fri Jul 4 2008 9:39 AM
Dann says
this is so lazy! they put a body kit on a focus up the boost but don't bother changing the drive I would rather have an R32 or an S3 or even the 3.2Quatro A3 than this
Fri Jul 4 2008 10:40 AM
Chris says
you'd rather have any other FWD hot hatch than this car? this is the only car that's in WRC from the ones you've listed..
it's FWD because the platform doesnt allow for AWD that easily. if you look under the chassis of a Lancer, you'll see AWD written all over it. the C1-2 platform WILL be AWD so expect the next gen RS to stir up the EVO/STi battle.
as for now, i'll take mine in white thanks.
Fri Jul 4 2008 11:47 AM
Dann says
because they're the same size...the focus that you buy and the focus that's in WRC are rather different cars this is just meant to look like it for the 17-23yr olds with rich parents and 30-50yr olds who can't afford and Evo or STi
Fri Jul 4 2008 1:31 PM
m says
Did any of you FWD basher even read the story? And I would take this car over the ugly looking mustang with its poor low tech driveline anyday.
Tue Jul 15 2008 4:10 PM
raptor says
Again, w-e w-a-n-t r-w-d
It's what makes a car cool, imo
Wed Jul 16 2008 11:06 AM
Dane says
This time I think there might be hope.... I bet we get this car in 2012.... But the SVT team will want credit and it will be called the Focus SVT... Just like the one from 2002-2004.. Fantastic car with an American name... It was the carbon copy of the Focus ST170 of Europe...
Anyup - Perfect car....
Wed Jul 16 2008 11:15 AM
burke says
I would definitely buy athe Focus over any of its competitors: VW-R32, Mazdaspeed3, Subaru WRX, and Mitsubichi Evo.
Tue Jul 22 2008 5:15 PM
Tim says
"To keep the potent engine from creating unmanageable torque steer, the engineers designed the car with an unique suspension called the ‘RevoKnuckle’, which enables the car to keep the intended direction of travel even under heavy throttle. That obviates the need for AWD and the attendant weight gains of the extra differential and driveshafts. A Quaife automatic torque-biasing limited-slip differential keeps the traction steady even on less-than-ideal surfaces."
Maybe all the naysayers will rethink their AWD bias?
Fri Sep 5 2008 4:15 PM
NoNameDenton says
Probably not Tim
Fri Sep 5 2008 10:42 PM
Johnny says
The WRX STi has 305hp and AWD, and it'll get to 60 in under 5 secs. I'd take the AWD advantage any day over a car with the same power that's a second slower to 60.
Wed Nov 26 2008 8:33 PM
NoNameDenton says
AWD is also heavy
Thu Nov 27 2008 1:45 PM
bigslim says
i'm a new member (longtime viewer) and i couldn't resist responding to this post. so here it goes.
the focus rs would run rings around any production mustang on any track. but i have to say they did a mostly good job on the mustang styling, especially the rear haunches on the 3/4 panels. looks like a fastback/gt500 mix. very nice.
Thu Nov 27 2008 11:42 PM
Mike says
@ chris, first off the Ford Mustang never was in NASCAR, and there was never a Boss 427. Anyway, I wish they'd sell this rather than the ugly piece of crap they pass off as a Focus here.
Mon Dec 8 2008 10:11 PM
MBZCLKGTR4 says
Europe's Focus may be fast, sleek, and sexy but America's focus...has...SmartKey...?
...wtf, not fair...
Tue Dec 9 2008 6:28 PM
NoNameDenton says
There was a Boss 429 Mustang
Tue Dec 9 2008 6:31 PM
NoNameDenton says
I do not think that engine is a Duratec, since Duratec only has inline 4 engines, and the engine in this is an inline 5 that was sourced from Volvo.
Tue Dec 9 2008 7:34 PM
azlan says
its does look great and the drive might surprise if it is a fwd, i doubt it but u never know. but i would never buy this car i would either spend a little more money and get an evo or wrx or get n older skyline or s3.
Tue Dec 9 2008 8:28 PM
NoNameDenton says
Why the Mazdaspeed3 is a great and is fwd and is an amazing car
Wed Dec 10 2008 1:56 PM
mooseman says
At current exchange rates, you could get 2 mustang GTs for that price. Hell, you could nearly buy a Corvette Z06 for that money. I love the WRC inspired vehicles, and the Focus RS looks terrific. I'm sure it drives as great as it looks as Ford is a master at tuning their FWD cars. But, the RS really isn't exactly a performance bargain. If it were built here (which it likely will be by 2011) the car could definitely come in at a far more reasonable number, say $35k US.
But, the Mustang is a completely different beast. It is very easily modded. There are dozens of companies who make performance parts for the Mustang. And the 315hp V8 has plenty of room to grow. You can check off a box on your order sheet and Ford will happily install a supercharger on it and bump you over 500hp.
But, here is what you guys should remember. By 2011 we'll have all the Euro Fords over here, including the Fiesta and Focus AND we'll still have our fire breathing V8s and twin-turbo V6s to choose from as well. You'll have to continue to make do with just your I4s and I5s while paying 3-4x much for gas. ;)
Just look at it this way, for roughly the same money there, you can get a GT500 or F150 Raptor here. And both would be easily as much fun as the Focus RS there. DIfferent strokes, different folks.
Wed Dec 10 2008 11:39 PM
NoNameDenton says
Good thing the next gen Euro Focus is also coming to America and built in America so exchange rates will not hurt it.
Fri Dec 12 2008 7:11 AM
HECTOR says
€39000 for this?! Are the freaking crazy?! And then they wonder why they have financial trouble.
That said it's a reaaaally nice car and I hope Ford NORAM burns in hell for not bringing it over here and instead saddling us with the craptastic American Focus. The equivalent would be the US getting the M3 and the Germans getting only the girly mobile known as the 135.
Fri Dec 12 2008 4:58 PM
NoNameDenton says
Hector, if you knew anything about Europe you would know they pay more for vehicles over there then in America.
Fri Dec 19 2008 3:25 PM
Chris says
hector.. the funny thing is, ford europe is one of the only car companies still making money today. you think toyota and honda are the gems of the auto industry? people shit on toyota and honda in europe.. people would rather a ford in europe. especially UK.
Fri Feb 6 2009 5:44 AM
browe says
I looked at this and thought "what a great replacement for my srt/4 but then i got the hint that i cant even get one here. Now I'm pissed off, ford, wtf are you doing to me?
Fri Feb 6 2009 5:48 AM
browe says
come on kids, buying a rice grinder over an american rig is like making love to your sister, get a clue, join your home team
Sat Feb 7 2009 7:06 AM
dieselboy77 says
Now why would i spend 40.000 on an ugly ass mustang ?
I want to see mustang compete in rally against the focus, the mustang would fly off the hill
Mon Feb 9 2009 10:43 AM
Bailianhua says
Nice Ford...the only thing is that Sebastien Loeb will still win in his Citroen C4... ouch... You mean the French make better rally cars than the Yanks....? Anyway ...lets stop this US bashing... pity you guys don't get Citroen, Peugeot and Renault...more choice ...and more safety features...
Tue Feb 17 2009 12:01 PM
Real-Drivers says
I think you guys are all morons. The car is important but the driver of the car is almost always going to be the decideing factor, and you can tell me all the stats on any car you want but if you can't drive it like a racer the way they are meant to be driven then you you have no right to say anything about any other car.
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