What’s the main difference with Ford’s new Focus RS and the ST version introduced in 2005? One could mention the nuts and bolts of it – like the RS’s massively greater power and torque and its remarkable ability to transmit that to the road – and, in time, we will come to that. But, for now, Jost Capito, Ford’s worldwide director of performance vehicles, has this to say :
This will be the 22nd Ford example to wear RS (Rallye Sport) badges, first attached to the original Escort RS1600 in 1970. The quickest RS, it is also in many senses the quickest road-going Ford of all time. While the GT (based visually on the racing GT40) is faster along the straights, the new Focus RS beats it around the most demanding handling track at Ford’s Lommel test centre in Belgium – and certainly in the real world, wherever that might be these days .
Nobody else has put a 300bhp front wheel drive car into production. The peak torque of 325lb ft is 38 per cent higher than that of the ST, which is no slug. In comparison, the earlier Ford Focus RS (2002-2003) was, in Capito-speak, possibly a fairly aggressive cod, with 212bhp and 229lb ft of torque. New RS will do 163mph! . With applied scientific brutality, it can reach 60mph from rest in a claimed 5.9 seconds : junior supercar territory .
This RS is more than an upgraded, lowered, wide-track, bewinged ST: yes, it is a three-door Focus with a five-cylinder engine , mounted transversely, driving the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. No, you cannot have a semi-automatic version. And theres no cruise control either
There are two modes of use . Mode one: keep within the 2,300-4,500rpm torque band and pretend you are driving an incredibly fast turbodiesel. You can still be quicker than just about anything else around , with low noise levels and no drama. Mode two: stay in the power band and change up at the 6,500rpm red line, never dropping below 4,500rpm .
From the offset, the option of four-wheel drive was rejected. “Front-wheel drive was our preference all along,” says Capito, “because all-wheel-drive systems add cost, weight, inertia and, consequently, fuel consumption.” Compensating for the extra weight required dynamic compromises Ford did not whant to make .
The key to this was The RS team worked with Quaife to improve the limited-slip differential, and, over six years, developed the “RevoKnuckle” system, which restricts variations in kingpin offset angle. This solution, claims chief programme engineer John Wheeler, “redefines what is possible with a FWD car “.
After driving the RS hard on demanding roads with a wide variety of surfaces and grip levels, I can only agree. Front-wheel-drive cars have an upper power limit, beyond which they become unmanageable, or so generally accepted knowledge says. That is probably still the case, but the upper limit has shifted northwards. Torque steer, that devil of powerful front-driven cars, is not entirely eliminated but full throttle before the apex causes only a mild sensation through the steering. The desired power is always useable yet there is never inordinate tug mid-bend.
Having rear wheel drive in these circumstances, one would usually have to work harder to apply this level of power and torque, while with all wheels driven there is often a sense of secession. You never feel uninvolved in the Focus RS .
Inside, it is a normal Focus, but with splendid Recaro bucket seats and an almost perfect driving position. As in all manual-transmission Focuses , I would like to be able to do “heel-and-toe” gearchanges more easily, but apparently the Thought Police have some say in pedal design these days. No matter, you can slam the special short-throw lever down through the ratios without any harm .
The ultra-fast , smooth gear change has a strong spring bias towards the third/fourth plane. Switches, stalks and major instruments are excellent, although the smaller dials appear to be sourced from medium-range Christmas crackers and the orange-on-red LED information is unreadable in bright sun .
The £24,995 RS is so well fitted out(p) as standard that extras are perhaps superfluous. White paint is base camp. Performance Blue might be worth £395, but Ultimate Green at £695? No thanks. There are also luxury packs for either £750 or £1,500. Check, but I wouldn’t bother .
Ford’s brilliant RS Team would struggle to push this programme past the bean counters in the present financial climate. It will be interesting to see how it sells. Almost 18,000 STs have been shifted in Britain since introduction in 2005, many in Clockwork Orange. Though the top of the range RS will have a smaller target , although 4,000 for the UK over two years is still rather ambitious. Britain is the RS’s home patch, however, even if it is made in Germany: Ford built 4,501 examples of the previous RS and almost half sold here .
Even if they are still feeling the pinch , those who are reasonably well off might turn to the RS as an alternative of their original, more extravagant caliber. Behind the wheel they are unlikely to be thwarted, as the wraith of RevoKnuckle and the Quaife differential combine with the musically gifted engine to make this a perfectly rounded mini supercar; there will be few circumstances in which a real supercar outperforms it, of course .
TECH SPEC
Price/availability: £24,995. On sale in late Apr .
Engine/transmission: 2,522cc, in-line five-cylinder, turbocharged petrol. 300bhp at 6,500rpm, 325lb ft of torque from 2,300 to 4,500rpm. Six-speed manual gearbox, front-wheel drive.
Performance: top speed 163mph, 0-62mph in 5.9sec, EU Urban fuel consumption 21mpg, CO2 emissions 225g/km.
We have options upto 400 bhp+ visit our site for best prices Focus RS Tuning