Ford Focus RS (Mk1) | Spotted
20 years later, there's still no hot hatch quite like the Focus RS
When Ford announces a new fast car now, it’s expected to be one of the best in its class to drive. Across two generations and almost 10 years now, the Fiesta ST has made hot hatch buyers question what more fun they might need; that so much of its rascally nature has made it to the Puma deserves praise as well. And the Focus ST, especially with the Track Pack, should be near the top of any family-friendly hot hatch shortlist - it’s brilliant.
In fact, all of the fast Focuses, by and large, have been fantastic. There have been two decades of them now, stretching back to the ST170 of 2002. That car was the perfect example of the New Edge fast Fords that were great to drive but didn’t have the power to really do its chassis justice - see Fiesta Zetec S and SportKa for further proof. What Ford needed, of course, was a proper Focus flagship to really announce the Blue Oval as a hot hatch contender in the 21st century. By that time the Cossie was a distant memory, and less inspiring Escorts were far more recent.
The RS was subjected to such a drastic overhaul that Ford famously lost money on every single one sold at £20k. That’s how determined Ford was to make the RS great. Something like 70 per cent of the model was new or reworked, a huge amount for something as relatively humble as a fast Focus. The money was spent on all the good stuff, too, including a Quaife limited-slip diff, Sachs dampers, AP Racing clutch, Brembo brakes, OZ Racing wheels and more. Today we’re used to fancy parts in hot hatches, but the RS arrived at the start of the renaissance. A hot hatch qualified as such with a big turbo and lowering springs - this was unprecedented, almost exotic for such a car.
The end result not only looked superb in Imperial Blue, it moved the hot hatch handling game on leaps and bounds. There’s still some debate about whether early ones were scrappier than later ones, but what seems in little doubt is that the modern template - 2.0-litre turbo, proper LSD, manual gearbox and expensive suspension - was established by the RS. No wonder they’ve become valuable.
It’s possible to pay up to £50k for a Focus RS now. This one isn’t quite that much, but is almost as much as a new ST at £35k. For that, you’ll get what looks to be an utterly pristine example, which makes the grainy pics all the more disappointing. (We want to see it in all its glory!) From the stamped-up service book to the old tax discs and matching Michelins to flawless OZs, it looks an absolute gem. Just as good now as it was at launch all those years ago, and proof of just how right Ford got the Mk1. It seems unlikely the Mk2 or Mk3 will look so spot on 20 years after launch.
There isn’t much more info in the ad on Focus RS #3359, but, honestly, what more do you need to know? It is a lot of money, yes, but it’s only covered a thousand miles a year, with quite a few owners having seemingly taken care of it. With the Focus RS as we know it never returning, the legendary original is arguably more covetable than ever. Imagine how we’ll feel about it in another 20 years…
SPECIFICATION | FORD FOCUS RS (MK1)
Engine: 1,998cc, four-cyl turbo
Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive, limited-slip diff
Power (hp): 215@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 229@3,500rpm
MPG: 28
CO2: 237g/km
Recorded mileage: 19,682
Year registered: 2003
Price new: £19,995
Yours for: £34,990
I recently sold a pristine ST170 , 12months mot, full service history 104k miles, clutch and cambelt recently replaced for £1K. I also have in my collection of cars a Mk6 Fiesta Zetec S, a bit leggy now at 130K miles but all original paintwork, no rust anywhere which I gave £300 around 6 years ago.
This particular car a RS looks in good condition but at £35K is ridiculous money for what they are.
Still, regardless of the ever-present arguments about price, what a stunning looking thing. A perfect example of how to take a car and enhance it while keeping all that was good about the base model. Probably one of the best-looking hot hatches of all time alongside the likes of the Clio Williams and the euro 205 Rallye. The proportions are just right, the arches are just right, the stance is just right. I even like the interior, despite a lot of people being critical of it over the years.
When you look over the spec, it's amazing it ever got built too. It's up there with the wildest Renault Meganes in that respect - a proper GT3-style hot hatch, littered with proper bits.
Hard pass at £35k.
Stick another £4k in the pot and you’ve a lovely low mileage M2 competition on the driveway like this
Imagine turning down a lightly used M2 for this. Great though they are, it’s not a £35 grand car.
Sold it in 2017 on 83K for a measly 9K to WBAC as I needed funds quickly to get the FK8. Went to an enthusiast eventually (for £14K...ouch) who did a full under body restore and is now a garage queen and enjoying her retirement.
Still one of the best looking hot hatches ever to my eyes, and ford got it so right you hardly see any modded ones visually and 99% keep the original gorgeous wheels
Actually there was some heated debate back in the day whether the seats were ford built with just the Sparco logo, but shhhh keep that quiet
My brother had one, and while it was a bit of a lemon, it was a hoot to drive. I fear I’ve missed the boat on these, again. Having owned a 1.6 Silver a few years ago, I can attest that the Mk1 Focus remains one of the great drivers’ cars. Hopefully I’ll get one again some day.
However, it did have a fault. While that diff worked great on smooth roads, or where you could use all the road. On very camber ridden roads is was a handful, to the point of being dangerous. It would leap from one side to the other. A few times I must have been millimetres away from side swiping the car I was trying to overtake. Having it in a gear above optimum helped, but even so.
After being left for dead by a Passat 1.9TDI on a back road that I just couldn't safely overtake on, I decided after 2 years enough was enough. Traded it in for a Subaru STI.
One of the best things about it was the brakes. Whatever I couldn't get past in a straight line. I knew I could out brake them onto a round-about. Best brakes of any car I've owned. I think at the time it had the same stopping distance as a Ferrari Enzo.
I still think they look great today, and if only it wasn't for that diff, I'd have probably kept mine for much longer
The engines are good for 500bhp, very well made. Wheel bearings were a weak point, especially on Porsche Cup Slicks.
This was at Goodwood on a sunny day -
https://youtu.be/NNXxp9d_dYo
Loved the car but I wouldn't own another one.
Hard pass at £35k.
Stick another £4k in the pot and you’ve a lovely low mileage M2 competition on the driveway like this
Imagine turning down a lightly used M2 for this. Great though they are, it’s not a £35 grand car.
In the end years later I bought the mk3 Focus RS which doesn't look as good as this, but is still an excellent car that still puts a grin on my face every time. In my dream garage though I'd buy a MK1 to go with it!
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