Production 2009 Ford Focus RS revealed
December 10, 2008 by George Skentzos
The highly anticipated Ford Focus RS super hatch has made its production model debut with a series of new official images and details.
First showcased in concept form at the British Motor Show earlier this year, overwhelming positive public response has meant the showroom-bound version is true to form.
Finished in Performance Blue as a tribute to the original Escort RS Cosworth and original Focus RS Mk1, the mechanicals also remain identical to earlier reports.
The 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine churns out more than 220kW, which is transferred to the asphalt via a unique Automatic Torque Biasing limited-slip differential developed by British engineering specialist Quaife.
This system works in conjunction with Ford’s new RevoKnuckle suspension setup to dull the side effects of such a high-powered front-wheel drive sports car.
Performance from zero to 100km/h is anticipated to be below 6 seconds with a theoretical top speed of more than 257km/h – simply astounding for a front-wheel drive hacth.
Its aesthetics are simply awe-inspiring, its rally-inspired front and rear diffusers plus oversized rear wing blend seamlessly with original RS trademarks to create a menacing appearance for the pinnacle of hot hatches.
Completing the look are 19-inch multispoke wheels which draw their influence from rally, of course, shod in low-profile performance rubber while the interior boasts Recaro bucket seats with body-coloured accents, carbon fibre trim and aluminium highlights.
The new Ford Focus RS is expected to cost less than AUD$56,000 in the UK, keeping it roughly on par with the WRX STi and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X.
Source: AutoExpress
Print it: 
That looks awesome! Love the wheels. Keen to read the reviews of how it goes with that much power through the front wheels
I like it better in the green.
I too cant wait to read the reviews.
I reckon it would sell its socks off here in OZ.
perhaps it will be made here in 2010……….
looks good but still a FWD car, would be good to see some reviews on it when it comes out
Wow, that is even better than the concept! Fantastic. I think the FWD layout will be fine. There so much hype surrounding this car I think Ford will have found a way around it.
So that’s where the Imprezas rolled/flared guards went…. Looks good. I’d say with performance like that it could possibly give the Golf GT-i a run for its money. [which is a more direct as its also FWD]
Put me down for one
Nice, but pity they couldn’t hack the Kuga 4wd platform around and tack a focus body on it, a la the old RS Cosworth Escort.
No doubts it will sell well though, Fords always do.
as nice as this car looks…dont think it will be coming to OZ cause FPV wants to develop its own hot hatch based on the focus when the next model is made here.
Nice pocket rocket i like it .I think ill take this over a golf now the gti was one of my fav but i think this looks hotter hope thay come to aus
Where do I sign, >>>>>>>>> BLUDDY AWESOME LOOKING MACHINE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO FORD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Looks hot but will have to be under $50k to sell well in my view.
fwd.. waste of time. Looks pretty good but better in Green like the concept.
Why is FWD a waste of time?
A well thought out FWD performance vehicle the RS is, so why not?
bring it over ford – looks fantastic – better than the evo and ugly wrx.
What ever this revoknuckle technology is, I wonder if it will make its way into the MPS as that is also a high powered FWD car which also hase a front LSD
agreed with GGG…too pricy if over $50k for what is being offered. But compared to a XR6T its still no competition for me personally. For the $$$, performance, size and RWD i would go the XR6T over this. If the focus came out in AWD i would be very interested as I think the new WRX has gone backwards and ford would get alot of ex subi drivers as the car looks hot.
This RS Focus will be a direct competitor to the STi WRX and the EVO X,it has at least the same power and torque as the two Japanese cars.
I don’t know why some people mentioned the Golf considering we are discussing a focused hot hatch rather than an soft allrounder -besides VW hasn’t got anything close to match the performance of this RS Focus.
I think discussions about focused hot hatches and VW Golfs don’t belong in the same sentence-unless the talk is about how the interior plastics and rubbers are wonderfully soft.
I got that twitch back in my left eye….now I have to go and lock my self away in the cupboard under the stairs so I dont cry about not being able to buy one of these here in OZ….:(
“Wheelnut Says:
December 10th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
So that’s where the Imprezas rolled/flared guards went…. Looks good. I’d say with performance like that it could possibly give the Golf GT-i a run for its money. [which is a more direct as its also FWD] ”
Could give the GTI (not GT-i, get it right mate) a run?
Now let’s see, LSD, 220kw, 2.5l, 440nm vs no LSD 147kw, 2.0l, 280nm.
The GTI hasn’t got a chance of keeping up with this, this thing will blast the GTI to the weeds. The GTI is now ancient as well, don’t forget.
But I won’t be buying one to replace the GTI even if it comes here. If I’d wanted only insane power in a FWD car I could have bought an MPS or Focus. It’s the total package that wins the GTI so many fans.
Roll on the much wished for (but probably fictitious) R32 replacement – Golf VI GT-R with AWD, 5cyl turbo 250kw 450nm beastie…that would be cool, but probably also out of my price range.
ehy not jsut bring thjis over and badge it FPV.ford wonders why they have huge lossses.FPV cant expect to make its own next gen RS and let europe what a waste of money.
I’ve always thought the focus was a good looking car, and this is too. But the only thing I don’t like about the current generation focus is the front and back just don’t quite mesh together. The front is very sleek and the back is still kinda boxy. I Wouldn’t buy one off the showroom floor.
Looks pretty good, however I wonder if they have finally put in a left footrest in it? From what I have heard the new generation focus doesn’t. That is a bit of an oversight in a car that is renowned for great handling. Dare I mention cruise control as well!!!!
nice.. but good chance wont hit australia.
Focus XR5…
then Ford wanting a “hot up” Focus….
also, even with the LSD noted..
221 kW 400Nm FRONT WHEEL DRIVE….
Aurion 241kW got hammered for “handling” and “platform” with its high powered front wheel setup… I think Ford deserves one too..
Should of been a 4WD..
And no, Reckless1… lol… On a straight this can match up with the EVO and STi… but overall track… the japanese rockets are a cut above…. simply due to the platform… shame really, this is begging to be 4WD.
but overall I like… just a shame that 221kW 400Nm will be under utilized in a front wheel setup, even with LSD.
Because drivability… lets be honest… if you want a sporty everyday car the XR5 is good enough.. this RS version is a track car… a super hatch that you want to compete with the elite (non exotics)…. FWD even with LSD is not gonna cut it…
After all the hype, it looks a little boring for my liking. I much preferred the Green.
also think the focus look much better in the 5door than the 3. even with the focus ST, the 5 door (aka our xr5) looks much better than the 3 door…. better proportions.
Needs a change of wheel too. the current ones on the xr5 would look better…..
Be good to see what it looks like in Electric orange!
darrel if this were to come her ford australia would probebley make it 5 door they even though i would like a 3 door 4 a change since it whould stand out above every other focus.
i still think this would love fantastic sitting next to my escort in the same metalic brown as mine there a way to make it really stand out.
Does not matter if it even does 315kmh, all these imported HiPo Ford’s end up being a
O R P H A N![And a very expensive 1 @ that, what $ burn?]
Buy better for less, problem is its always just a FORD…
[I drive a FORD, get over the facts]
Cheers,
F-0
Least you can go around and say:
“Powered by VOLVO” lol
Cheers,
F-0
FRUGAL_ONE
most valuble australin car ever made is just a Ford i would take a GTHO over a 300,000 BMW and day becouse after all it’s just a BMW.
second most valuble car every is the shelby datona coupe which is a ford and powered buy ford
Looks like any Focus – BORING !
Wonder if they added a footrest?
looks like a peice of recycled hyundai excell. shame shame shame
Having purchased my 08 xr5, i have to say no complaints, but how do i increase my kw to the new spec without getting divorced, im sure someone has a cheaper solution!! help!!
David, the answer is a dreamscience ECU flash. Check out www . fordxr5turbo . com guys there are getting 190 – 200kW and near 400 Nm of torque out of the 5 banger with no hardware modifications. Add the spacer to the airbox will also help the motor breath a little at no risk to the engine. All up, your looking at around a grand for the dreamscience ECU flasher, which is a bloody cheap upgrade really.
And no, I’m not affiliated with Dreamscience, there are other ECU flashes out there that will do the same thing.