Focus RS: Focus RS revealed

Following an internet leak of computer-generated images of the new Focus RS, Ford has released shots of the actual car in camouflage pounding around the Nürburgring. It has also confirmed that the new RS, due for launch in early 2009, will have ‘in excess’ of 276bhp and be front-wheel drive with a limited-slip differential.

The leaked images, created by Ford for an internal presentation a year ago, suggest a strong ‘mouth’ like that of the Mitsubishi Evo X, a matching, venturi-style rear panel, bonnet vents reminiscent of the Sierra and Escort Cosworths, and wider wheel tracks than the Focus ST.

While the lack of four-wheel drive will disappoint some RS enthusiasts hoping for a Focus to take on the Subaru Impreza and Evo, its absence will keep the cost down and, as we have discovered with the ST, the front-drive Focus chassis is genuinely capable of deploying 300bhp. We have driven modified STs with power ranging from 255 to 305bhp and the best, the Morego from BBR, coped well with its 280bhp, even without a limited-slip differential.

The original front-drive, slippy-diff’ed Focus RS could be a handful in certain conditions, but Renault has shown with the Mégane R26 that a well-judged torque-sensing differential and low-pressure turbo engine can deliver fantastic drive and acceleration. Although getting on for 300bhp sounds a lot, the 2.5-litre engine is pretty unstressed in stock 222bhp ST trim and has already been tuned to 300bhp for the Volvo S60/V70R.

There’s certainly plenty of scope for tying the Focus down harder to find more grip and give it more edge, though it will be even better if Ford follows the lead of the imminent Mégane R26-R and makes serious efforts to reduce the Focus’s kerb weight; the ST tips the scales at a portly 1392kg while the R26-R is expected to come in at 1220kg.

Even without a diff, the 300bhp ST we tested got to 60mph in six seconds dead and the original, 212bhp RS nailed it in 5.9sec, so the new RS should be good for approaching 5.5sec, with a maximum speed limited to 155mph.

The likelihood that Ford would equip the hottest Focus with a four-wheel-drive chassis was always remote. While it’s true that the ST’s in-line five has been hooked up to the S60/V70R’s 4wd system, the floorpan of the Focus is in no way designed to accept rear-drive running gear. And even if the Volvo system did bolt straight in, the Haldex centre diff system wouldn’t be responsive enough. The RS Focus would need a bespoke transmission of the calibre of that of the Evo X and that would add considerably to the car’s cost and kerb weight and require a vast investment. Given that Ford lost substantial money on every one of the 4500 previous-generation Focus RSs, such a development was unlikely.

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