While most of the specs have already been confirmed by Ford, some of the new details include a 0-100km/h (62mph) time of 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 264km/h (164mph). Pricing in Europe will reportedly be set at €39,000.
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. A Quaife automatic torque-biasing limited-slip differential keeps the traction steady even on less-than-ideal surfaces.
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.
Ford has also confirmed that customers will have three colour options from launch, including the vibrant green seen here, as well as blue 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 aluminium 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 next year, 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 7:25 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 7:27 AM
chris says
..a better, more powerful, nicer looking, mazda speed3 with a much nicer interior. yes please
Thu Jun 12 2008 8:18 AM
chris says
renton; you could get a mustang GT for this kind of money. just thought you should know.
Thu Jun 12 2008 8:24 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 8:34 AM
VDubbin says
No mention of AWD, but 400 torques is going to be a handful in a FWD car...
Thu Jun 12 2008 10:16 AM
Gus says
Isn't a "rally" car supposed to have 4wd?
Thu Jun 12 2008 1:42 PM
Ivan says
Gus,
It's rally "inspired" car . . .
Thu Jun 12 2008 2:07 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 2:13 PM
jeff says
sick paint job
Thu Jun 12 2008 4:17 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...
Thu Jun 12 2008 10:48 PM
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 8:51 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 9:53 AM
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 6:39 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 7:40 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 8:47 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 10:31 AM
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 1:10 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 8:06 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 8:15 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 2:15 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 1:15 PM
NoNameDenton says
Probably not Tim
Fri Sep 5 2008 7:42 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 5:33 PM
NoNameDenton says
AWD is also heavy
Thu Nov 27 2008 10:45 AM
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 8:42 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.
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