Ford has released new images and a few more details about its eagerly awaited Focus RS.
Deliveries of the latest fast Ford start in March, and 1,500 UK customers have already handed over their deposits – even though a predicted £25k price tag for the car has yet to be confirmed.
Visually the Focus RS promises plenty of go, and drivers shouldn’t be disappointed. Under that vented bonnet there’s a 296bhp version of the Focus ST’s five-cylinder engine that’s reputed to propel the RS from 0-62mph in 5.9secs. Top speed is electronically limited to 155mph, although Ford insiders claim an unrestricted version would be good for over 160mph.
Although engineers did consider four-wheel-drive for the hottest Focus, the extra cost and weight was ditched in favour of a specially developed limited slip differential with automatic torque biasing developed in the UK by Quaife. Together with Ford’s so-called RevoKnuckle suspension – basically a tweaked MacPherson strut set-up – the system supposedly limits torque steer and maximises traction to make 4x4 unnecessary.
Lowered ride height, a wider track, more powerful brakes and an upgraded stability control system complete the technical enhancements over more mundane Foci. Visually, the production RS pictured here in ‘Performance Blue’ appears unchanged from the ‘Ultimate Green’ model revealed at the Birmingham motor show – ‘Frozen White’ will be the only other colour on the options list.
Inside the new pictures reveal 'traditional' RS Recaro seats, carbon-trimmed centre console and an aluminium-trimmed shifter.
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