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
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