Ford revives sporty Focus RS
New RS gets more power, better handling
Ford Focus RS: to be continued?
Strong demand for the 225bhp Focus ST has convinced the Blue Oval that there's enough demand for the RS, whose original version, launched in 2002, was slated by some for its inconsistent response to high power put through the front wheels.
According to Ford, it's sold twice as many STs as VW has Golf GTIs since the car's launch last year -- so it's decided to add 30 per cent more power on the back of last year’s World Rally Championship win, and build the RS.
The new RS gets a meaty 280bhp from a turbocharged version of the 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine lurking under the bonnet of the ST, driven through a six-speed box. Although only front-wheel drive, it also gets a semi-active limited-slip diff, which Ford said should help to improve traction. The suspension setup is more sporty, with stiffer springs and dampers, along with 19-inch wheels, all under a lowered body.
According to this week's Autocar, the decision to stick with front-wheel drive was an economic one, as uprooting the Focus' drivetrain would have been too expensive. As it is, you can expect the car to come in at around £21,000 to £23,000 -- a comparative bargain.
Other accoutrements include a deeper front spoiler with bigger scoops for cooling brakes and feeding the turbocharger, plus a WRC-influenced roof spoiler at the rear. And inside it'll get the usual add-ones, such as special seats, badges and trim.
Ford expects production to hit between 5,000 to 10,000 units.
However, the car's not official yet, according to the story, although Ford's performance cars' boss Jost Capito refused to rule the car out, saying that his division very much wanted to build cars like the RS.
If -- when? -- it arrives, expect to see the RS in Ford showrooms in 2009.
Sounds more like a dangerous decision to me ! Or at the very least a pointless one.Will 0-60 times be taken from when the front wheels start spinning or when the car eventually starts moving.Eleven years on from the end of Escort Cosworth production and they are still failing to better it !
Not really
Barely different to the latest ST in looks, a wing on the back that makes it look even more like a van, under 300bhp and still FWD
After all the rumours of a 4wd 300bhp plus, as it should be RS, the news on what it is actually going to be (if at all) is hugely dissapointing for me
It will be a good car, I know that, but expectations have been built up too much by previous rumours
It's not like they don't have access to the parts/technology is it !!!!
Boo to you Ford, hope you read this and hope it gets heard
Edited to say : With the current race in the hot hatch market and speed of bhp growth, what is a 280bhp/FWD car going to be in 2 years time if not the same as a Honda/Seat/Renault/etc ??? Even the current Mazda MP3 (?) has the stats of the current RS on 0-60, 0-100.... Admittedly the RS would drop it in other areas, but who knows how Mazda will have developed it by 2009 !!
C'mon Ford, give us what we have been waiting too long for !!
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