Ford Focus RS Coming To Australia?
July 1, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
Not only is it being built, but rumours flying around suggest the new Ford Focus RS (a car Ford has continuously shelved) will be an All-Wheel-Drive STi/Evo killer!
The RS will be powered by a worked version of the current 2.5-litre XR5 engine (sourced from Volvo), the engine will be coupled to a six-speed close-ration gearbox. Car Magazine reports the new RS will make its official appearance at the Geneva motor show, next to the facelifted Focus.
The pictures show engineers testing the new RS with electronic load-monitors, trying to re-engineer the focus from Front-Wheel-Drive to All-Wheel-Drive requires a great deal of work.
Being an All-Wheel-Drive the new Focus will go head to head with the traditional rally kings, the Subaru Impreza WRX STi and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, whilst the Evo X will have the option for a DSG gearbox, the Focus (as well as the new STi) will be keeping things simple with a six-speed manual.
Of course, you can’t compete with the STi and Evo without some serious grunt, and grunt is aplenty for the new Focus RS. With a modified variable intake and exhaust manifold, a bigger turbocharger and intercooler as well as an oil cooler and reinforced con-rods, the new Focus RS will have around 220kWs of power, similar figures to the new STi and Evo X.
0-100km/hr times are just a tad over 5 seconds with a top speed of 260km/hr. We expect Ford to target the rally lovers with the Focus RS, meaning ride and comfort will be compromised compared to the XR5, not that a little compromise is a bad thing when its for supercar beating performance.
It would seem logical for Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) to bring the Focus RS to Australia – we asked Ford Australia about the RS over the weekend and we were told that any news on the RS is pure speculation at this stage.
In the UK, the Focus RS should retail for roughly £28,000 ($65,000 AUD), which will be less than both the new STi and the Evo X (UK prices).
We don’t expect the new RS to land in Australia until late 2008 (if ever), but if and when it does it will be looking a lot better than the prototype in the photos, with the new facelift only months away. We are just happy, that maybe, the RS will one day make it to our shores.
Please Ford, can we have one?
Alborz Fallah
Print it: 
0 
0 
Pfft… Evo killer, maybe an STi killer (going by the current-gen and new Impreza’s styling), but at $65k, the expected EVO X price, no way at all! I bet a number of people would rather a Ralliart Lancer than this. Even though, this is actualy quite nice, and will sell quite well, it is definetly not going to be an evo killer, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if it stole away some STi sales. I’d still rather an R32 Gold regardless of the performance, at least you can get a DSG in one of those!
R32 Golf*
Strange they are sourcing the engine from the XR5, figured they would have taken most of what they needed from the RS WRC.
Agree with Damo on the R32 Golf, love those things!
Ford have been kickin Subaru and Mistibishi’s Butt’s for years now in the WRC, it’s long overdue that a street car is built that will do the same,
Rap it all up in that super sexy 2008 skin (looks have never been the Subs and evo’s best virtue) and you have an instant cult classic.
R32 yeh it’s nice but this thing will be in another league.
If you haven’t seen the 2008 Focus yet I recomend you seach this site for it, now imagine that with AWD and 300hp.
Please Ford Oz, this is a car that we must have here!!!
Ford really do seem to have their act together at the moment. The Focus RS looks great its going to be a bit pricey though when you consider the R32 Golf retails for 2-3 thousand less and its a great piece of machinery.
Finally a successor to the legendary Escort Cosworth RS. This thing will give both the evo and sti a run for there money, and the current focus is know for it great handling for put in AWD and that power, month watering.
Now only if i was off my P’s. Please FPV bring this car here
Looks prity decent… but I think its seriously overpriced if it is indeed $65k, thats nearly double the XR5T, now sure it has more power (out of the same engine), AWD and other things but I dont think that justifies such a large price increase.
you have to remember, the current STi is priced a good $4000 more in the UK than it is here, prices vary depending on countries, so I think the RS, if it comes, will be priced below $60k
I still know regardless that the EVO X will smash it on a track, and like I said already, I would prefer an R32 Golf, because it is more reliable and classy, and you get a DSG gearbox (option) rather than the 6 speed manual. The interior and build quality of the X or an R32 Golf will beat this hatch any day.
Anyone attuned to rallying and track racing knows that when Ford put RS on their vehicles they’re designed to kick ass and that would include the EVO X too Damo. The RS name is legendary and it’s about time we saw another one arrive on these shores.
It’ll sell immensely well if it can make it here. Unfortunately it’s going to struggle to meet demand in Europe so IF it is made at all (let us all pray it is!) then it may be 2009 before AU gets some RS action.
I wonder what they’d call it under the FPV banner? Who cares it’d be awesome!
Pricing would be early $50’s if they bring it here… XR5/ST pricing, is slightly under double the price in UK pounds. So if the pricing on there is correct, it will be priced right on the money, potentially depending how good the Ford Sharpener is, It may even be $49,990! But this is hearsay, Will be a long time before it coems here, lets just hope it is AWD, otherwise we have another Astra VXR Torque monster on our hands… And will be savage to drive in the wet…
Johnson,
sorry i think you have your conversion rate wrong, it is actually a bit more than 2x to convert pounds to AUD.
but anyway i dont think it will be priced at like $65k. you can give me a typhoon for that anyday and i could still spend some on it to get more power.
i dont think it would sell too well for $65k thats all
I wont go into details, but go to the UK ford site, and check out a 5 door ST2 (closest to our spec)price. and then compare directly to a XR5. Its a little under double… Yes i know the exchange rate says its 2.5 or so… but the UK has a much higher tax system than us….
Bobby, your new to this site. Hence, your kind of dumb. The road going Evo is completely different to the ralling one. Ever heard of Super Active Yaw Control? EBD? Sport ABS? And just about every other handling aid? These are all the sorts of things which make it the best handling PRODUCTION car in the world. The rallying version uses a basic rear lsd and acd instead of the ACD, with SAYC, and all the other features. There are a bunch of other things, but basically, they are two completely different cars, handling wise (unless you a race driver). This isn’t about rallying. This is about Mitsubishi building the best AWD/4WD systems, which are world beaters, and are probably the deadliest most ultimate track cars. They can beat a number of cars around a track that can beat it in straight line. And the Evo X probably will be slightly faster than the RS Focus and will definetly handle better, you still need to remember the Focus has a larger engine which nobody has pointed out so it cannot be much lighter, and will have worse weight distribution, aerodynamics, and all the latter. ANd if you think the EVO X cannot compete with this hothatch, just wait for the sportback, then we”ll see whose laughing.
rallying*
By the way, if you guys ever did check out foreign currencey rates, Johnson is correct and the pound is approximately 2.5 times the value of out dollar. It has been that way since 2002/2003, since most European countries (abeit, the UK) converted to the Euro. Hence, the value of the pound, increased significantly, even though it was already relatively valuable. Okay, back to the topic, and no more discussing the superior EVO, or economics because I shotgun being right regardless!
What works in Rally wont work on the road. You don’t hang the back end around every corner at 80km/h to start with.
No manufacturer ever brings out an exact, straight from Rally/Track/Race team car to the street by adding aircon, airbags, and a radio.
The comments about RS being synonymous with Ford and the Cosworth might be true, but so were badges like GT and the like…. now manufacturers put those insignias all cars more readily and completely disregard the meaning behind it.
Either way, Australia needs some high performance models of the otherwise dismal boxes they flog off here. No matter what the manufacturer.
Steve
Damo,
are you on drugs? johnson and i both agreed the rate is over 2x and not under 2x as he stated in his first post on the subject. (must have been a typo on his part, was it?)
HA! Damo, the new Evo X looks like crap! The new WRX and the RS Focus will crush the Evo. Hmmm… sounds familiar, Subaru has always been better then Mitsubishi!
And now Subaru has Toyota on their side! The Evo has been downgraded to a level beyond repair.
And big whoop; the Evo X has a DSG transmission, how boring! Manuals have always been better and they always will be.
Azz you are a knob! Seriously, ooh Subaru has Toyota on their side, they won 8 percent of the company and are yet to purchase the rest. The Subaru has never been as good as the Evo, don’t you watch Top Gear. Subaru are owned mainly by Fuji Heavy Industries, who hired ex-alfa romeo designers to design this piece of crap, as well as the rest of the junk (ie. tribeca). At least Mitsubishi didnt’t need Alfa designers to make the new Evo look European and Japanese. Now you tell me that DSG is boring. It is supposed to be for the fastest possible shifts, and I have said continuously that a 6 speed manual will be an option, and the new WRX killer, the Galant Fortis/Lancer GSR, will have a manual. Ever wondered why it is the Impreza getting bagged for its ugly design? And now I am on drugs for not reading thoroughly through your retarded posts about currencey and other shit? You see, I only pointed that out, because unlike you, I am a citizen of the UK, a place where hopefully you never get to go. Hence, my knowledge of many British things including their currencey, many of their tv shows (not just top gear and 5th gear, things other than car shows), and a bunch of other andom stuff. And the Focus RS will not beat the new Evo, and the new Impreza will not stand a chance, especially around a track. Your new to this site, but we don’t need another lot of bogan Mitsubishi haters!
QUOTE = Manuals have always been better and they always will be.
Pfft manuals are popular in part because they were always quicker then autos… DSG in many if not all cases are quicker.
As for car debate, the Evo reigns supreme and your a fool if you deny it. Its practically a track car… partly why I wouldnt get one despite it being superior.
Well whether it’s just me or the people who post Car news all over the internet, but hasn’t the WRX STi always had a more powerful engine? And don’t give me the Alfa Romeo crap! Subaru aren’t the ones who based the back of their car on them!
And do not say that I am a Mitsubishi hater! I have always liked the the Evolution range. But what the hell were they thinking releasing a the Evo X looking the way it does! It has got such a great reputation and that is going to be ruined thanks to an ugly butt.
And you cannot say all that bullcrap just because you live in the country where the queen hibernates!
We also know what the currency is.
And we also watch those T.V shows.
Either way, i don’t particularly care, considering the F6 Typhoon kills all 3 of these car types, you know, Australian design and all.
How about you just shutup before I turn homicidal! Nah, I’m kidding, I think we both ot off to the wrong start. Personally I don’t like the Evo X design as much as i liked the Evo VII design when it came about 6 or so years ago, but judging by the new Impreza, which has had comparisons made to a Kia Rio, a Beemer 1 series hatch, and a front and side profile Mazda 3, I really do not think that the design is that modern, and lacks the menace compared to the new Evo. Also, the taillights on the new Evo are likely to be darkened and possibly just a crimson red without the indicators and such on it, which actually looks quite sporty. About the performance, the Evo and Impreza have really always had the same kilowatts, it is usually the Impreza might have more torque (obviously because it uses a 2.5 litre engine vs. a 2 litre), but the Evo usually produces the torque at far lower rpm (say 2500). Speaking of the handling, the Evo wins hands down, you can look at the top gear lap times and see this. To support this claim, a few years ago when the Evo VIII FQ320 and the STi WR1 were released, not only did the EVO beat it in straight line, and smash it on the track hands down; not only did the Impreza have a huge amount of understeer (as expected), the STi WR1 only beat the former STi model by less than a second, it didn’t even beat the old Evo VIII FQ300, which was just replaced by the FQ320. WHile the FQ320 on the other hand, beat the model is just replaced by about 3 seconds and the Impreza by about 4 or 5. And as you would know, Ralliart sold an FQ400 model which could keep up with a Lambo Murcielago, and still sell the FQ360 which can hit 100km/h in under 4 seconds! Yet, you seem to think that the Impreza outperforms it for some silly reason. And no, I don’t live in the UK, I do live in Australia at the moment and plan on it for well, maybe the next 3 years, or however long I want, and you seriously do not watch all the British programs I watch, I could name them but there is a seriously long list. Okay, I have gotten all of that out, I think we can agree to disagree on the performance and our views of both cars. But I think we can agree to this. “The WRX is a good boy’s car, but the Evo is a man’s car”.
To back up my claim, you can see the topgear video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBqaplFXQuo
I will give you credit for that rather long speech…
However! You have to give Subaru some sort of credit being they were the brand that brought in Turbocharged AWDs. Understand this to, I don’t care, they’re both Japanese made cars, not that there is anything wrong with Jap cars…
But when you look at Mitsubishi as a whole compared to Subaru… Subaru just reins dominant.
As an eg.
Subaru Impreza S MY03 RS vs. Mitsubishi Lancer CG VR-X.
Impreza – 112kw@5600rpm, 223Nm@3600rpm… Lancer – 92kw@5500rom, 173Nm@4250rpm… and so on. The WRX STi will always be a well known car, regardless of how less good looking it is becoming. But what can I say for the Evo. As much as I hate it, the General public aren’t into Mitsubishi. So when they see this 4cyl car priced at $60,000+ they are going to say; “geh… why?”
Even if it is targeted at younger people, the Impreza will still have better sales and more supporters.
And anyway, this is about how the Ford Focus is better then both the Evo and the STi.
So c’mon Ford!
Cheers!
SO you are trying to confuse the general public with yourself? You have forgotten that the last-gen Lancer was a like a full on budget banger which sold over 2000 a month and yet you want to tell met the public don’t like it? The new one looks much beter and you are the only person to hate the design. What is even stupider is the fact that you compare the Lancer to the Evo. Apart from the fact it has major changes to the interior, the exterior, a completely different engine, a completely different chassis, drivetrain, suspension, and all the latter, and yet you feel like making a comparison. You seriously are an idiot! This is performance cars, not budget family cars. WHy do I even bother?
Fine you wanna go that way, I will do performance, the current released models of the STi and the Evo IX!
STi – 206kW@5600rpm, 392Nm@4000rpm
0-100 km/h – 5.4 seconds
Evo IX – 206kW@6000rpm, 355Nm@3000rpm
0-100 km/h – 5.7 seconds
It’s not by much but the WRX STi still has higher performance, even the gear shift ratios are better on the STi. And I’m tipping that will be very much the same with the next generation of both cars.
And correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t the full title of the Evo… – Mitsubishi ‘Lancer’ Evolution??? So therefore the certain variants of Impreza and Lancer are in a rivalry just like the Evo and the STi.
And over here in the country of Australia, the sales of the WRX STi were higher, much higher then the Evo IX, being that the Evo IX was a Limited Edition.
And maybe it’s just my point of view that the new Evo looks like shit.
So in reality, you are seriously an idiot, why do I even bother?
Oh, and yes the Evo does have a better turning circle then the STi… by 0.2 of a meter!
Are you serious? Why the need for being so dam defensive? Incase you failed to figure the Lancer Evolution range contains the word ‘Lancer’ for the primary reason being that the WRC legislates that it must be based on a road-going family sedan. Hence, the Mitsubishi Lancer. The Lancer uses Carbon and part aluminium body panels (as well as regular steel/cast iron) in its construction, and as the headlights, taillights, body kit, interior all differentiate itself completely from the standard Lancer vehicle it is to be considered a completely different car in appearance; as well as its performance as it has not mechanical similarities. The Sti is not that fast, and in most testing it is usually 0.1 seconds faster or slower than the Evo. Around a track though, as is the case for many faster in-straight line cars, the Evo smashes it. The Evo has looked agressively better than the Subaru for generations and has been along substantially longer. Not to mention, you based your power and torque figures on the Aussie versions of the Evo, unlike the Sti, the Evo uses a far lower quantity of torque to the Jap spec one, and so basically you should get the point there. I agree, you based your informations on local resources as I used Japanese and British resources, and these vehicles are Japanese and are built in Japan so we should be using the correct Japanese power figures. Also, the Sti is also heaveier than the Evo. You based you calculations from one test which you did not even name, and most tests show the Evo being slightly faster or on par. Another thing on the new Evo, it doesn’t look as nice as I would have liked, but unlike the new Subaru it looks aggressive. The new Impreza and Sti are not bad looking, for family cars and hot hatches! For the generation of vehicles they are to represent they look like rubbish! Now another thing about the X, the Aus-spec one, is confirmed to have the option of manual, or a twin-clutch SST (which you for some stupid reason think is boring), will have the same torque as the Japanese model, and is expected to have at least 220kw, and most are predicting 240kw. This is supposed to shoot it from 0-100 in 4.5 seoonds. Gee, so it looks better in the so-called ‘public’’s opinion, has a substantioally better gearbox, completely over-engineerd engine combined with MIVEC performance technology, the best AWD chassis like ever with almost every technology packed into it compared against the dated symmetrical awd chassis, not only better looks but more aerodynamic styling, and you think that the new Sti will beat it in what was it? Well, I guess we shall just wait for the new Top Gear lap times. Funny enough, you bag the X and now you bring up the IX. Lol, what a fool!
Maybe we will just have to see. I don’t doubt for one second that the Evo has the potential to be better then the STi. But I’d rather comparisons from the locals. You know, being that I live here and I have no intention of going over to Japan.
So in my point of view, the STi is better.
Going by the standard views.
And on another note, coming from a tuners point of view, the STi has more options to play around with.
And as I said earlier I don’t care!
The Focus will beat them.
That’s always entertaining but Damo I think your jumping the gun in saying the EVO will smash the RS considering niether have been released yet and we dont know whats going into the RS at all. Who knows TeamRS may bring out an absolute ball tearer with all the tricky diffs and active yaw control wazzits that Mitsu have, considering they are the 3rd biggest manufacturer and have the technology and engineering know how from WRC, F1 & Champ Cars. Some of that engineering will transfer into the road car, just not as hardcore as the race cars obviously. But then again Ford could go a more civilised way and make the RS more like an Audi s3 so then yeah the EVO would be quicker. But reserve judgement for when it comes out.
Oh by the way if i had to choose between an EVO or the STi, In the latest models definately the EVO but older models i might be leaning more towards the STi, I actually think the current WRX looks pretty good.
Finally something from the europeans to compete with the EVO and STI, I’ve been waiting for this day for a very very long time… :):):)
The french should really do one as well from all that Rally Success.
Finally Ford have stopped stuffing around with FWD and decided to do it properly. Hey Damo, where is Ralliart in the WRC now??
Damo… mate seriously get over you beloved evo just for a second at least, everyone knows the evo is superior to the wrx around a track.. but this article is about the ford.. take a look at previos model rs focus’ and they r bloody quick around a track. Also the cars have not been tested against each other yet, so just shutup for a few months until they have been. Then we will see which is the superior track car. Also just because you live in the uk, does not make you superior to anyone on here so stop trying to slam anyone who leaves a comment.. you say you have access to more info over there but you only seem to quote from one little top gear lap.. buddy there are more tracks around the world than the tg test track. So for god’s sake do yourself a favour and get off your high horse and lower your mitsu flag just a little bit..
Jost Capito, Director of Ford Team RS, said the Focus RS is coming to Australia!!!! Check out his video on Ford UK website to hear it for yourself. Talking about the production numbers, he said this RS model will be manufactured in larger number than the previous one, and that “The car will go all over Europe and also to Australia” I played that section of the video half dozen of times!