Ford has previewed its all-new Ford Focus RS, a high-performance road car that debuts Ford Performance All-Wheel-Drive, delivering class-leading cornering speed, thrilling performance and 'unbridled driving enjoyment'
writes Trish Whelan.
The Focus RS is powered with a special 2.3 Eco Boost engine engineered to produce well in excess of 320hp; the bespoke unit shares its fundamental structure with the all-aluminium 4-cylinder 2.3 engine in the new Mustang.
It is the latest car to be unveiled as part of a new era of Ford performance that will bring more than 12 performance cars to global customers by 2020.
Ford say it is 'a great example of our passion for innovation through performance and creating vehicles that make people's hearts pound'. "This very special 2.3 EcoBoost unit will inspire drivers as they feel the surge of the turbo, and reward them as they take it to the red line - all delivered with a stirring sound guaranteed to put a smile on your face," said Dave Pericak, Director, Global Ford Performance, adding "We have ripped up the rulebook which says that AWD hatchbacks can't be fun to drive, and have created a car which will surprise and reward in equal measure."
Developed by a small team of Ford Performance engineers in Europe and the US, the new Focus RS is the third generation of Focus RS cars, following models launched in 2002 and 2009. It will be the 30th car to wear the legendary RS badge, following such trendsetters as the 16-valve 1970 Escort RS1600, the turbocharged Sierra RS Cosworth of 1985 and the four-wheel-drive 1992 Escort RS Cosworth.
