FIRST DRIVE
The Ford Focus RS Is Back
Ford Motor Company has brought back a legend in the shape of the Focus RS and we at Independent Motoring News have been lucky enough to test drive the latest high performance model.
The Blue Oval has confirmed that the 'mean machine' will be available in three colours, white, blue and green. We love it in these striking paint jobs, it just looks fantastic and the green colour reflects the signature colour of Ford's global partner and World Rally Championship sponsor BP and it is reminiscent when Ford launched a Le Mans green colour on the 1970 Escort RS.
ON TEST
Under the bonnet the car is true to its heritage - it has a 300bhp 2.5-litre five cylinder power plant that can achieve zero to 60mph in a stunning time of 5.9 seconds and it has a top speed of 163mph, just take a step back and let's read that again 'a top speed of 163mph from a front wheel drive car - WOW!
The power translates brilliantly onto the road and it has to be one of the finest high performance cars I have ever driven. We were lucky enough to drive the car on some of the classic roads that are used on the famous Monte Carlo Rally and you can see and feel why the Ford are so proud of its latest RS.
Jost Capito, Director, Global Performance Vehicles and Motorsport Business Development states, "This is a serious machine, with the performance, traction and precision to match far more exoctic sports cars. The RS badge is not something we treat lightly and I believe this car proves it."
This car has certainly all of the above and more, you can drive it enthusiastically just like it is made for and when in town you can drive it at a more serene pace and the car feels just as good. The RS is not just a mega quick high performace car, it can be used as your every day A to B chariot as well as the ride is not as intrusive as some of its more illustrious rivals.
Front-Wheel Drive
The Focus RS is the only front-wheel drive car that is available with 300bhp at present - with all that power going through the front wheels you be forgiven to think that you might have a little traction scrabble - not a bit, it gas 440Nm of torque between 2,300 and 4,500rpm - step on the gas pedal and the Focus RS gets the power down without any problems. On the road the Focus is the ltimate in high performance, the electric pace is combined with fantastic handling. If you make the RS understeer you are travelling far too quickly as we put it through some of the most challenging roads on the planet and the car failed to understeer.
When beginning this exciting project Ford has confirmed that it thought about making the RS with four wheel drive but to be true to the RS badge it wanted to keep the Focus as a front wheel drive car.
An excited Capito added, "Front-wheel drive was our preference all along. All-wheel drive systems add cost, weight, inertia and consequently, fuel consumption. Compensating for the significant weight of an all wheel drive system requires dynamic compromises we prefered not to make. If you can achieve the performance you want without steering disturbance, then front wheel drive is a better performance car - lighter with a more precise linear, steering response than AWD. With the work of our advanced research team in Aachen, we were able to achieve this and deliver something genuinely different.
The RS is based somewhat on the Focus ST, obvious changes include a new intake system, exhaust manifold and turbo charger. The RS has a Borg Warner K16 turbo offering boost pressure of 1.4 bar, that's double that of the Focus ST's 0.7 bar giving the RS a 35 per cent power increase on the ST.
Ford has achieved 300bhp from a front wheel drive car by a combination of a wider track and what the company is calling RevoKnuckle front suspension. The RevoKnuckle patented by Ford has been developed to work alongside the differential in enhancing traction.
The major problem that some drivers might have is that this car can give you too much confidence - the RS can flatter the novice driver by making them believe that they are a rally great but it does in turn reward the expert with its brilliant all-round package.
Rather than settling for an RS based on the ST design Ford wanted the RS to have an identity of its own - so the Blue Oval revised every body panel on the car to create its unique look. The icing on the cake in the loooks department is that eyecatching rear spoiler that has been inspired directly from the Focus World Rally Car.
Interior
The interior is familar - yes it is pretty much the same as the ST, we liked this feature. Well as the old saying goes 'If it's not broke, don't fix it.' The switchgear is within easy reach of the driver and is made of quality materials. The seats are new and from Recaro, they are figure hugging but also comfortable when on long journeys. Surely a boon in this car. The aluminuim pedals add to the visual touches on the inside to make you feel you are driving something special.
As we mentioned above the new Focus RS is a practical high performance car. It has an official combined economy of 30mpg and it emits 225g/km of CO2 emissions - not bad for a car producing 300bhp.
AT A GLANCE
| Name/Price: | Ford Focus RS/From £24,995 |
| Engine/power: | 2.5-litre /300BHP |
| Co2 emissions: | 225g/km |
| Official Combined fuel economy: | 30.0mpg |
IMN VERDICT
Make sure to put a bit of cash aside as the insurance group is set at 19, and if you 'drive on' your fuel bill could be quite high but if you mix it up you may well get a decent average on the combined run. This is one of the best high performance cars ever - the new Ford Focus RS has astounding handling and is a mega quick car. This car is so good you'll never want to get out of it.
Simon McBride