Ford Focus RS (2009-) Review

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Team RS aimed to make the Focus RS one of the finest models ever to sport the RS badge. In doing so it has completely overhauled the Volvo-sourced 2.5-litre five-cylinder from the ST. The turbo now provides twice as much boost as before, with power increased by 35% to 301bhp and torque increased by 38% to 325lb-ft. The engine now breathes better, too.

The new RS also gets the Quaife limited slip differential from the Mk 1, and a strange sounding suspension aid called the RevoKnuckle. This device reduces the amount of forces acting on the steering rack by moving the hubs away from the front struts, curbing the violent wheel-tugging sensation under hard power.

The RS has also been lowered 20mm, its tracks widened by 14mm (the reason for the swollen bodywork) and thoroughly tested in a wind tunnel to ensure real downforce is generated at speed.

As a result, it feels even faster than its 5.9 second 0-62mph figures suggest. Thanks to huge torque reserves, the RS feels fast in all but top gear. It sounds fantastic too.

But it's not the pace and WRC soundtrack that steal the show. Nor even is it the precise, well-weighted and accurate steering. What leaves us gobsmacked is the supernatural way the Focus RS can deploy almost all of its power almost all of the time.

That's thanks to the combination of wide 19" wheels, specially developed Continental tyres and the trick diff that allows full power to be deployed far earlier without either wheelspin or the ESP calling time. Torquesteer isn't banished completely, but now instead of tearing the wheel from your hand under full throttle, the RS softly reminds you this is a very powerful front wheel drive. It adds to the experience rather than subtracts.

Push hard and the Focus RS chassis shows real handling prowess. It's always engaging and the biggest compliment we can pay is you will never miss four-wheel drive.