all-wheel drive World Rally Championship (WRC)
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The eagerly awaited high-performance hatchback features a turbocharged, 2.5-litre, five-cylinder petrol engine developing 301bhp and 325lb ft of torque. Ford claims a 0-62mph acceleration time of less than six seconds, and says that the target top speed is 160mph. And all for £24,995.
Unlike the all-wheel drive World Rally Championship (WRC) contenders, the road-going RS is front-wheel drive, but Ford says that the torque steer and traction problems inherent with such a powerful engine have been quelled by the combination of a Quaife limited-slip differential and a redesigned front-suspension system.
These are complemented by a wider track, uprated driveshafts and rear anti-roll bar, revised springs and dampers and retuned steering, with a specially developed version of Ford’s Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Traction Assist (TA).
Uprated disc brakes – 336mm ventilated front and 300mm rear – combine with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA).
The engine has been uprated from that of the previous RS by the fitment of unique camshafts,a revised cylinder head and gasket, intake and exhaust manifolds.
Styling addenda includes a unique bonnet, front bumper, side skirts and 19-inch, multi-spoked alloy wheels fitted with 235/35 tyres and dual chromed exhaust tailpipes. The RS also has xenon headlights and LED rear lamps, while the RS rally tradition is continued by a twin-bladed spoiler atop the hatchback.
Inside, there are Recaro sports seats in the front, with side bolsters trimmed to match the colour of the car – green for Ultimate Green models and blue for those painted in Performance Blue (pictured) or Frozen White.
Options include partially leather-trimmed seats at £500 and, for £200, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and a USB port. A metallic version of the Performance Blue paintwork costs £395, while a Tri-Coat Metallic Ultimate Green finish will cost £695.
There’s also a Luxury Pack costing £750, which includes automatic dual-zone air-conditioning, automatic headlights, rain-sensor wipers, auto-dim rear-view mirror, rear parking sensors, tyre pressure warning system and Ford’s Key-Free system. The £1,500 version of the Luxury Pack adds a DVD navigation system with a seven-inch touch-screen.
Until the RS roars into view next year, the existing top-of-the-range Focus is the £20,408 ST3.
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