The Focus RS packs 300bhp
The battle for Nürburgring supremacy looks set to rage on, with Ford determined to record a hot lap time for the Focus RS at the notorious Green Hell race track.
Ford will be looking to better the 8:16.9 lap time set by the Renaultsport Megane R26R. With a 60bhp advantage and nearly 100lb ft of extra torque, the RS Team should be pretty confident of securing the Nürburgring hot hatch crown.
The 300bhp Focus RS will be aiming to get as close as possible to the R26R’s lap time using standard rubber. At an earlier 'Ring outing Ford returned an 8:27 time in a detuned 247bhp RS wearing regular Continental tyres, but the R26R’s blistering time was set on Toyo track tyres. So next time Ford says it will bring along a selection of stickier rubber, just in case the road tyres don't quite cut the mustard.
Whatever the result we can be sure the battle for ultimate hot hatch supremacy will rage for a considerable time - let just hope it doesn’t get personal. The row between Porsche and Nissan over the GT-R’s lap time has resulted in a number of amusing handbag swipes between the two companies.