The latest and greatest Ford Focus RS has just been revealed, packing serious fireworks under its bonnet and a high-tech all-wheel drive system.
QUICK FACTS
| Name | Ford Focus RS |
| Engine | 2.3-litre 4-cylinder EcoBoost Turbo |
| Max Power | 315 hp (estimated) |
| 0-100 km/h | N/A |
| Top Speed | N/A |
Gymkhana star Ken Block was roped in as a consultant on the development of this new Focus RS. As you can see from the video below, it looks like he was having a ball developing the car too.
EXTERIOR
The Focus RS wears the meanest face in the Focus family, with a huge trapezoidal grille and an even bigger lower intake edged by a couple of side intakes that direct air to cool the brakes down.
The side is identical to the Focus ST with sculpted side skirts but under the wheel arches sit a set of unique multi-spoke 19-inches RS alloy wheels.
At the other end of the car sports a new bumper that contains a diffuser with a fog lamp in the middle and dual tailpipes jutting out underneath. And you can expect a cracking soundtrack to come out of those pipes too. Topping it off is a huge roof spoiler with embossed RS logo on each side.
INTERIOR
The driver gets a flat-bottom steering wheel with subtle RS logo, alloy pedals, and unique RS instrument graphics within the instrument cluster. A pair of deeply bolstered front Recaro sports seats are fitted as standard.
An 8-inch touch screen with Ford’s SYNC connectivity sits in the middle of the dash, below a row of gauges for the turbo boost pressure, oil temperature, and oil pressure.
Optional items include rear view camera with park distance control, and a Sony premium sound system with 10-speakers including a subwoofer.
PERFORMANCE
Sharing the basic structure with the 2.3-litre 4-cylinder Ecoboost from the Mustang, a new low-inertia twin-scroll turbocharger with larger compressor and a bigger intercooler have been fitted to free up at least 315 hp from the engine.
Suddenly the 280 hp in the Volkswagen Golf R sounds little in comparison, but it’s still around 40 hp less than the Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG. Unlike the A 45 which is strictly offered with a 7-speed DCT and the Golf R with 6-speed manual or 6-speed DSG option, the Focus RS is strictly a 6-speed manual only. However, like the Golf R and the A 45 AMG, the Focus RS is also an all-wheel drive machine.
The new Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring is said to deliver a new level of handling capability and driver enjoyment. Based on the driver input, the control unit in the rear drive unit continuously varies the front/rear and side-to-side torque distribution to suit the current driving situation.
The chassis has been updated with stiffer sports suspension with a more rigid front suspension knuckle design and shorter-link arms. The electric power-assisted steering system has been tuned as well, to give the driver with a sporty steering feel.
WHAT ELSE?
Ford has yet to release the official 0 to 100 km/h time and the top speed. Exact performance details also yet to be finalised, for that we need to wait until its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2015. Watch this space!
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