22 Jul 08 14:10
Video: Ford Focus RS
Ford has unveiled the car all hot hatch enthusiasts have been waiting for: the Focus RS.
With 296bhp and over 302lb-ft of torque from its turbocharged five-cylinder 2.5, the RS has a 0-60mph time of under six seconds. It goes on sale in early 2009.
The 2.5-litre engine - as used in a number of Ford and Volvo models - has unique camshafts, a revised cylinder head and gasket, modified intake and exhaust manifolds, plus tweaked engine management and turbo boost pressure.
The Focus's front-wheel-drive layout remains, but it's been reinforced by a new front suspension system called 'RevoKnuckle', which works with the Quaife limited-slip differential to reduce torque-steer and disturbance to the steering, with precise geometry settings to reduce the steering offset.
'The result is a lightweight set-up,' says Team RS leader Jost Capito, 'that will deliver the right blend of traction and razor-sharp controllability - in a way no-one would have expected front front-wheel-drive.'
The RS's track is 40mm wider than that of the standard Focus, with stronger and longer driveshafts, revised springs and dampers, and a thicker, longer rear anti-roll bar.
The steering has been retuned, and brakes uprated; the RS sits on 19" wheels with 235/35 Continental tyres. The stability control system has also been modified for later intervention, and it can be deactivated.
And, of course, the RS will look the part: wider wheel arches, revised, deeper side mouldings, triangular air vents behind the wheel arches and bonnet louvres signal its identity, along with gloss-black trim strips and mirrors, a new front bumper with deep front airdam, mesh lower grille and chrome-edged xenon headlamps in black housings.
To the rear, there's a pair of chromed exhaust tailpipes around an air-channelling venturi tunnel and a black roof spoiler. The London show car is finished in a green metal-flake paint, recalling the Le Mans green used on the 70s Escort RS1600 rally car.
The cabin is suitably tricked out, too, with Recaro microfibre-covered sports seats - colour-matched to the exterior - and carbon-look trim, aluminium-effect highlights, RS-branded scuff plates, black-trimmed roof lining, an RS three-spoke steering wheel, aluminium pedals, extra gauges (including turbo boost pressure) and an RS blue gearshift lever.
Ford says that the show car 'previews the design intent for a final production vehicle,'although 'some final details may change before volume production begins.'
The Focus RS will be made alongside its lesser-powered equivalents in Saarlouis, Germany.
Check out the rest of our British Motor Show coverage.
