Ford Focus RS Heritage Edition: a fitting swansong for the Mk3 RS

The Ford Focus RS Heritage Edition celebrates the end of the Mk3 Focus RS as well as Ford RS’s presence in the UK. Only 50 examples of the runout model will be produced, each costing an eye-watering £39,895.

> New Ford Focus RS Edition review

To justify the substantial £7k increase over the standard car, Ford has looked to official partners Mountune, who will upgrade the Heritage Edition with its M375 powerkit. The gains of 25bhp and 29lb ft of torque come courtesy of a high-flow induction kit and an uprated- and- recalibrated turbo recirculation valve. Total power and torque are 370bhp and 376lb ft respectively.

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Thankfully, the extra power won't be squandered thanks to the RS Edition’s Quaife limited-slip differential. As we discovered during our recent drive, it transforms the RS by neutralising the torque steer that hampers the standard car’s otherwise excellent torque vectoring and four-wheel drive system.

Just as the third-gen Focus RS arrived with a bright colour (Nitrous Blue) it will sign off with one too. Unique to the special edition car is the Tief Orange finish which is also a tribute to the Ford Escort which turns 50 this year. Elsewhere, a black finish for the wing mirrors and rear spoiler to help to breakup the dominant orange hue, while the forged wheels which house grey brake calipers continue the contrasting black theme.

> Ford Focus RS Mountune M400 review

Inside, the Heritage Edition gets: partial-leather Recaro seats, a heated steering-wheel, cruise control and sunroof.

Andy Barratt, chairman and managing director, Ford of Britain, said: “The RS brand is hugely important to Ford and is recognised across the globe, however it has a special place in the hearts of UK Ford fans. This latest model is the best RS we’ve ever produced, so it seems a fitting tribute as we approach its 50th anniversary.”

Production of this special edition follows the Ford Focus RS Race Red Edition which was also limited, to just 300 units.