New Ford Focus RS hot hatch pictures released
The new Ford Focus RS will be available from early 2009
Author: Robin Brown
Published: 04 July 2008
Ford has released the first pictures of the new Ford Focus RS hot hatch - the latest Ford model to carry the blistering RS performance moniker.
Visual clues that the RS means business are provided by a lowered appearance, bright green paint with inlaid metallic flake, ‘piano black’ strip at the leading edge of the bonnet, the deep housings for the integrated front fog lamps and door mirrors with integrated side indicators.
Front and rear quarter panels have been revised to incorporate wider wheel arches and a wider track, while triangular, RS-badged vents sit behind the front wheel arches.
The completely new front bumper design for Focus RS incorporates a deep front airdam with a large, mesh lower grille in an extended trapezoid in piano black. Above, chromed xenon headlamps are framed by matte-black housings with unique additional vents running underneath.
At the rear, a deep new rear bumper incorporates a large venturi tunnel to its lower edge with small vents at each corner of the bumper, while two chromed exhaust tailpipes sit each side of the black venturi below a twin-element, black RS rear spoiler at the Focus RS’ roofline.
The Focus RS' interior is dominated by Recaro high-performance sports seats, colour-matched to the exterior with ebony leather accents and ‘RS’ and ‘Recaro’ logos stitched into each backrest.
Brushed aluminium highlights, carbon-look trim and metallic highlights can be found all around the cabin, from air vents, door grab handles, switchgear and gearshift surround, to unique RS-branded scuff plates on the door sills.
At the heart of the all-new Focus RS is turbocharged Duratec 2.5-litre 5-cylinder engine revised for high performance with a 300 horspower and 302lb-ft of torque.
Early testing indicates a 0-62mph time of under six seconds.
The Focus RS is front-wheel drive with a limited-slip differential and front suspension system known as a ‘RevoKnuckle’, which is designed to reduce unwanted steering disturbance and torque steer, the impact of torque on steering in front-wheel driven vehicles.
The new Focus RS includes a 40mm wider track, stronger, longer driveshafts, revised springs and dampers and a thicker, longer rear anti-roll bar, while the steering system has been retuned to provide a sharper steering response and very precise feedback.
Brakes also have been uprated, with 336mm ventilated front discs and 300mm rear discs applying pressure to 19-inch wheels, wrapped in 235/35 low profile Continental tyres.
A special version of Ford’s ESP system has also been developed for Focus RS, modified to allow a very sporty driving style before activating.
The new Focus RS marks the tenth anniversary of the new FOcus, launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 1998.
This latest appearance of the Ford RS badge was last seen on the first-generation Focus RS in 2002 and stretches back 38 years, taking in Fiesta, Escort and Sierra models.
“RS is uniquely important to us in terms of our performance heritage and World Rally Championship success, while the Focus has played a major part in establishing Ford’s excellent reputation for driving dynamics," said John Fleming, Ford of Europe President and CEO.
"The all-new Focus RS will embrace and celebrate both of these – it will be a genuine RS and a genuine Focus and I’m confident it won’t disappoint in either area”.
The Ford Focus has long been seen as the class-leader for the hatchback segment, so will the 2008 model-year Focus live up to those heady heights?
Details, pictures, prices and review of all hot hatches in the UK.
Fast, comfortable, sports styling, well priced, good body control. For people who want a new Ford Focus with a bit more image and considerably more performance, the ST is the answer.
New Ford Focus RS will burn more than just fingers in Spring 2009 when UK car buyers get first taste of almost too-hot-to-handle 300bhp Focus. For now, British Motor Showcase leaves hot-hatch fans salivating.
New 2.5-litre turbo-charged, 278bhp-emitting, VW Golf R32-trouncing Ford Focus RS hot hatch should come in at under £25k in 2009.
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