Ford Focus RS confirmed for Australia

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By Karl Peskett | August 02nd, 2010

Update: Ford Focus RS Review.

In news that has taken everyone by surprise, Ford Australia has just fulfilled the greatest wish for any hot hatch fan – the Ford Focus RS is coming down under.

Going on sale in the fourth quarter of this year, only 315 examples will be available, meaning exclusivity will be assured. Three different colours will be coming: Ultimate Green, Performance Blue, and Frozen White; each being associated with the current RS for some time now.

Using its acclaimed RevoKnuckle front-wheel-drive system, the Focus RS delivers 224kW and 440Nm from its 2.5-litre, turbocharged five cylinder. Peak torque comes in at just 2300rpm.

Ford Australia President & CEO Marin Burela today said he was “very pleased and incredibly excited” to announce the Focus RS’s availability.

“The buzz and excitement surrounding Focus RS has spread rapidly around the globe since it was introduced in Europe early last year, winning a host of motoring awards and receiving widespread critical acclaim for its outstanding combination of high-performance road car technology and every day Focus practicality,” said Mr Burela.

“Now it is poised to conquer the Australia market, setting a new benchmark for hot hatch performance in this country and creating a whole new generation of performance car enthusiasts in the process,” he said.

Bespoke Continental tyres wrap around 19-inch alloys connected to the – excuse me while I type this out – Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing Helical Limited Slip Differential (whew!) meaning grip will be plentiful.

Inside, the Australian Focus RS features Recaro front seats with a leather/alcantara mix, six-disc Sony sound system with eight speakers, rain sensing wipers, and rear parking sensors. Bluetooth will be offered, along with iPod connectivity and keyless entry. A start/stop button brings the Duratec engine to life. Outside, the Focus RS receives self-levelling xenon lights with washers, and rear parking sensors, to prevent scratching of its precious bumper.

The price? Ford Australia tells us it’s going to be $59,990. More details when they come to hand.

We can’t wait.

Gibbo

About time!
macca

cool! but 315 cars is nowhere near enough..

MrQuick

Better than 0 mate

Shak

It even seems good value for money when you look at its competition.
Adrian

Yes… oh god yes…. So can’t wait. Although I now have to choose between this and the the renault Megane RS 250… Damn it.
PN

Thanks, but I’d take the Golf R20 over this and pocket the left over change….

Nobody

This is simply a stunning car very nice looking but of course this is just my point of view. But it is a shame about only 315 of them.
RK

I can see where you’re coming from. The Golf R looks really boring (to me, anyway), the Focus RS is brash and loud, and the Megane is somewhere in the middle. Sometimes you want to drive a fast car without the neighbours thinking you’re a bogan

I still like the look of the Megane best and I suspect it will underprice the other two as well, but the Focus RS will be more exclusive and probably have way better resale, and from overseas it sounds like there’s two tenths of nothing between them in performance. Definitely throws a curveball into my buying plans!
Stoney!

Agreed, at least you get a quality interior and All wheel drive for less money, and get an ECU flash with the change.

Stoney!

Stoney!

239kw and 435nm Through APR, and thats only stage one for the golf R, I’d prefer that through AWD than 224kw through the front with any electronic aids.

Stoney!
go away

when you say quality you do mean boring tartan dont you, unless you want to put down 5k for the bucket seats alone, go and start adding the extras on and you will see that the Golf R price is alot more than that you expect.

love this Focus RS, time to get a 2nd job!!!

Andronicus

Yeah get the VW if you want to be like every other latte drinking douche hipster.
If not….go the RS.

Golfschwein

Do you douche?

XR6T GOD

I just wet myself!
My Cars Called T-Rex

Id take one of these over an Evo,Sti,135i,370z,Clubsport or F6 just for the exclusivness and they look “HOT” they “HANDLE” and “GO” like sailors to a brothel.

The Realist

FWD Focus over a RWD 135i?

You probably also vote for Labor too.

Shak

RWD dont automatically signify handling. If you dont tune it right, its just a sloppy mess.
Jimmy

And the most useless comment of the day goes to…
go away

sounds like you drive like an american

do you know what that big circular thing on dash is for??!!

RK

Will they badge it Ford or FPV here?

Wow though, Ford Focus RS vs Megane 250 vs Golf R, we are suddenly spoiled for choice!

Mikey

Nope…not under the FPV Banner…

Daniel

Do they mean there will only be 315 ever sold in Australia or just 315 available for this year – with more next?

M

Nope…this will be it. With the selling of Volvo…there is no more of these motors going into the Focus. This will be it….very very special car!!!

Andrew M

How do you know that??

Im not sure who actually owns the intellectual part of the 2.5l but since Ford is still supplying Volvo with parts and tech, Im sure if the 2.5L was 100% volvos that ford would still be welcome to use it.

Ford tune this motor too, so even if they wanted to buy the basics of it from whoever owns the plant im sure they wouldnt be denied

Andronicus

Also we are looking at the new Focus dropping here back end of 2011, so once this 315 allotment is gone….its gone!
Better get in quick.

I think I’d go the white.

zahmad

Because they will be focusing on their Ecoboost range…

Baddass

Best news I’ve heard all week. Although I can’t buy one, and they’ll probably be sold out in an hour, I hope I can see one in the flesh.
ox

dose it come in an auto?

http://zuboora.com mohamad is right when he

yuck.. who cares if it does.. apart from u
Accountant

who cares about auto
http://www.fordxr5turbo.com broady

Why would you want it in Auto??????????

Stoney!

Probably cause it will be enough of a pig as a daily driver as it is. It should at least come with fords Power shift Dual clutch transmission.

Stoney!

JP

You obviously haven’t driven the XR5/ST then. They are actually very well refined thanks to the 5pot motor. Plenty of torque, but can easily be driven sedately like a grandma, or foot flat to the floor for fun.
mcl334

I just bought 1 in june the 6speed box is fantastic pulls 6th up most mountains and will cruze at 60k’s in top.

http://fordxr5turbo.com K

Indeed haha

This is hardly surprising news… We have been eagerly awaiting.

Sadly I cannot afford one.

K
mcl334

The last Hurrah for the XR5.
the rumors were true Congratulations to those in the know who placed there $5k deposit some week ago Enjoy!!
Technofreak

OMFG!!! :O
MrQuick

Mind = Blown
jp

last of this motor, hopefully the eco boost range finds it way into the next gen though which could be very interesting also….. leave it to the europeans to do the tuning though please
m2m

Ford’s really paving their way into buyers hearts at the moment! Great news! You’d have to get green!

http://www.fordxr5turbo.com broady

Whilst it looks hot, i feel the Green will be a magnet for every idiot with a coin/key in their pocket, or a commondore under their backside… i’d go the white myself.

Grumpy01

Think i just got a Chubby!!
Vibe

YESSS! I would kill for one in green.
Eric

The Mazda MPS 3 was critizised about 190KW front wheel drive. So how will 224KW go??

RK

Fine. Ford and Renault have both developed fancypants suspension (Ford’s is called Revoknuckle, I forget what Renault’s is called but it works the same way) which pretty much eliminates torque steer mechanically, by all reports. That’s why Ford and Renault have both been able to produce FWD hot hatches which can beat the AWD Golf R on the track. Very clever.

The Realist

“pretty much eliminates torque steer mechanically”

Get that from a Ford forum did you?

Perhaps you need to read a few reviews from other sites…

jp

perhaps you should take your own advice….. ones i have read have commended the composure and were impressed by the system and how it managed to control such a large amount of power with minimal torque steer. UK based hot hatch magazines etc.

http://www.holotropik.com technofreak

The 3 MPS works fine with 190KW

Buck

A senior representative of Ford N.Z. told me on Friday that only ten were, (note past tense) allocated to N.Z., he flicked me through a link to the sp[ecs and all that on Monday last week, eight sold that day adn two by the next day. By the time I caught up with hyi last Friday for a couple of coldies, they were all long gone !!!

Have to make do with my F6, life is very harsh LOL.
Andrew M

So Ford finally figured out how to boost the Focus sales…….Bring the big brother down under to bring a bit of desirablilty and recognition to the name plate.

Gee they are quick arent they……
TuffGuy

It may look good and go fast and the new revo-knuckle may make it somewhat better on the torque steer front but in the end it is still an overpowered front wheel drive. Surely Ford could have really upped the ante and put some AWD into it. Then and only then could it be considered over an EVO or STI.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1435885244 Yani Hendriawan

man when i read the title i was like say what!!! if i had the money i’d buy one. you get exclusitivity and how many other cars our there have that much power at the front wheels.
david-t

18 months too late…. Yes its a nice car, yes it was great when it was released, but its at the end of the product life cycle now. If it had of arrived here 12-18months ago, i would have bought one without question.

But Ford is coming out with the next model focus ST fairly soon (launch annouced), meaning the new RS is already on someone’s drawing board…

And besides, the megane 250 is arriving soon, and as Renault didnt spend 18ths f88king around with its Australian consumers, so they’ll be getting my $$.

http://www.holotropik.com technofreak

Totally agree!
I bought the 3 MPS instead so sadly they missed my money too!

autoboy

Me 2.

This RS is a top car by all accounts. Probably the best for outright showroom performance in this category at the moment. My only concern is that it is a bit late to our market, and as so often happens the next gen will superseed the best of the older gen within about two years, and often for less $$. As noted above, the next gen is probably rolling off the drawing boards as we speak – in Europe at least.

Still its good to see such a proliferation of choices in this sector, which bodes well for upgrade time. Bring out the next gen “on time” and there will be orders for sure.
Denzo

Love the MPS. So much grunt and they look great.

Adrian

I agree with you david-t. When this was first released I like everyone else, wanted one so bad. But now I’m more than likely going to get a megane 250 and save me at least $8000 on it over the RS.
mcl334

i waited 6mths for renault OZ to give a release date for the rs250
I bet they release it at sydney motor show but there wont be many delivered b4 years end(short supply in Europe and i think theres a factory shut in august for 3weeks)so thats 12mths waiting 4 base rs250. the rs275 will be out in europe soon too!

Byron

Rather a used HSV VXR Go HOLDEN!

Al Juraj

Get bent!
Andrew M

Well if you would rather a HSV then why dont you end your comment with “Go HSV!”??

Its not hard to laugh at your comments when they always end with “Go Holden!”
Who the hell would take you seriously?

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=668475019 Jake Williams

I really do love this car and I would really love to buy one, but I don’t really see the point of Ford Australia bringing in the pretty-much last RS’ made. Yes, they had to homologate it (which wasn’t too hard seeming the Focus is already here… duh) and supply was very tight in Europe but still. But, better late than never! I hope this sets the pace for the new-gen RS too…
Shane

White with dark rims for me please, i’m hoping this is a bit of a market experiment for Ford or FPV also, if this goes well maybe FPV could start doing limited runs yearly for the Focus. Limited to keep interest and not become common like the rest of the FPV range. Well done Ford, another step in the right direction, these will sell very quickly.
toxic_horse

instant classic!!!
I want one so bad i might have to take to car jacking.
myf20c

now they just need to bring the Focus RS 500 over.. MmMmMmm matte black paint…

Andrew M

You mean matte black vinyl??

Aleks

All you haters shutup, go to youtube and watch this thing on fifth gear, you know nothing about this car, hence stupid comments like torque steer. This thing is incredible and for 60K is a bargain in my opinion.
lazza

I love the comment… “Now it is poised to conquer the Australia market, setting a new benchmark for hot hatch performance in this country and creating a whole new generation of performance car enthusiasts in the process,” he said.”

How is it to “..conquer the Australia market..” with only 315 examples?! It’s a shame that a quality ford such as this will be tar’d by the same brush as the perceived ‘lack-of-quality’ as locally built Fords – even though it’s so far removed from anything local.

I hope Ford badge this as an FPV and that it succeeds. Unfortunately in an already full hot-hatch market, I think this will struggle…

Andrew M

You think it will struggle to sell 315??

lazza

Will certainly be interesting to see whether they sell the full 315 allocated. I think back to the EVO 6.5 Tommi Makinen Edition (TME) and that struggled to sell at nearly $80K. Absolute weapon as we all know, ahead of anything in the performance stakes twice it’s price at the time, lots of media coverage and reviews on the car with glowing praises on it’s performance. Then comes the Mitsu EVO 8 as a low volume import which were still available new just as they were announcing and brining in the EVO 9 as general lineup.

Subaru’s 2-door STi was claimed by Subaru as the only STi that they will bring into the country to generate hype and hysteria for a buying frenzy… no one read the fine-print that said it was the only “2-door” STi that they would bring in… :<

Subaru have just released a 4-door version of the STi, which appeals a lot to many enthusiasts over the hatch and will certainly attract buyers back to the brand who left in droves when the 08/09 STi (hatch) was released.

Ford's doing the right thing with the car by teasing the public, and I hope it does make it, but I think it will struggle. The hot-hatch market is highly competitive and the benchmark Golf GTi is a tough act to beat for the price… Then there's the Golf 'R'

Andrew M

You have to remember this thing is 60K, not 80K, so that will help a hell of a lot.

Also this will have a bit more exclusivity as the Focus isnt offered in any other performance set up even close to this

The market isnt that crowded if you think about it. The only real choice is a Mitsu or Subaru.
Focus wont compete with Golf because its not a “loud” car like the Mitsu and Subie

GolfR

Damn, got my R already… I personally think the car looks amazing!! And that engine! As much as I like the R (and it’s fantastic grip), I will be drooling when I see the RS on the road. Hmmm maybe an early swap? LOL

Why?

Your Golf R can do low 5′s to 100 as confirmed by Motor. It was within a bees to a EVO X to 100km/h, 400m and rolling roads. This Focus could only dream of coming close to those times.
Like to see would be buyers turn up to Ford and also test drive a FG XR6T and find that for over $15K cheaper you get a faster weapon.

Devil’s Advocate

Maybe from a standing start “why?”, but the in gear acceleration is epic for such a small, cheap car. There are many cars out there that may not be the fastest from a standing start, however when stringing together a sequence of corners etc they absolutely “smoke” the car that can get from 0-100 faster. Many of the turbo diesel cars are like that. For example I distinctly remember an article in “a car magazine” when the Mazda3 MPS was released in 2006. Sure it only managed 6.1 from 0-100 km/h which is reasonably quick but nothing special, however from 80-120 in 3rd gear it was faster than a “then” Porsche 911 Carrera, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, BA XR6T, HSV Clubsport etc etc. It was even quicker from 80-120 in 4th gear than what a WRX at the time could do it in 3rd. I am sure the RS would be similar but to a much greater extent. IIRC Top Gear Magazine had one of these keep up quite easily with a Ford GT on a mountain road.

I don’t know about you, but when on my favorite bit of twisty road I don’t always stop and start…

Autoboy

Exactly

Perforamnce is not necessarily only measured in terms of traffic light grand prix figures(not into repeated attempts to destroy my own car), but the ability to also have on the roll go – particularly in the twisties – which I am sure this RS will have in spades. This an area where the good turbo screamers really kick in – for their size.

Autoboy

AWD is good no doubt. But its not the be all … For example, recall the position of the MPS in this year’s Targa Tasmania (in class (only beaten by an EVO) and outright) in which it apparently was raining and outclassed a good number of other AWDs and RWDs.

Also the MPS has done exceptionally well in group C in the Australian production car championship.

To pinch a couple of quotes from the PCAA …..

“Although Camilleri has easily accounted for the competition in Class B, retaining his title from 2008 prior to the season finale, outright success drives the team, with the Mazda 3 MPS continuing to punch well above its weight”. (AKA ‘the giant killer’)

“In the outright Australian Manufacturers Championship, Camilleri sits a mere three points off third placed Rod Salmon, and 20 points off second placed Lee Castle”.

“The Mazda 3 MPS is exceptionally good around the tight sections the track, especially the areas where we can use a lot of kerb, and if it rains, it will really work in our advantage”.

All, from the mouths of professional drivers.

This is not to say that AWDs always finish behind FWDs as that is clearly not the case. Rather it is to say that not all AWDs always finish in front of FWDs.

Hence you would think, then, that the extra KW and NM in the Focus, given what seems to be a very sound chasis might be OK.

Why?

I never said it was all stop start if you can read properly. Since when was a Evo X as mentioned is all stop start??? I would like to see this FWD Focus come close to a EVO X on a twisty road.

Devil’s Advocate

Well you were going on about 5 second 0-100 times and 1/4 mile times. It would be closer to an Evo on a twisty road than you might think. Don’t dismiss it as slow and poor handling just because it is “only” FWD (after all, that is what you are implying). AWD is not the be-all and end-all you know…

Denzo

Well said. R owns.

Al Juraj

This should be really special in what looks like the last Ford with a Volvo engine. When the Chinese buy it, the new Focus will likely have to soldier on with Ecoboost motors.

I wish I could get one but with only a few coming, I guess all have been accounted for, unfortunately. But for those who get to own it, please please please do not drive like hoons.
Andronicus

Is it asking to much to maybe bring out one of those matte black versions just for me???
Im just been greedy i know
sammy

this is just a stunt by Ford to make some extra cash. I called the ford dealership and they said basically there is an allocation of 1 of these cars per dealership and they will be selling them to the highest bidder. They quoted me $84000!!! What a load of BS, 84k for a 5.9s FORD FOCUS? No way…

scatman

Probably knew you were just a keyboard warrior

darryl

A 30 second search of the net will show you the New focus ST is being revealed in Paris in October, with a new 2 litre 250bhp turbo charged engine that will ‘put it ahead of the GTI’ and on the playing field of the megane 250.

If ford import the new ST, and keep the same pricing as they did selling it as the XR5 (ie 37k), then that is going to be great value for money.

Scaling the new ST up gets you to the new RS, which is already rumored to be a 4×4 hybrid.

so i cant see the point in buying a 60k RS so far into its lifecycle. As already mention, Ford really screwed its Australian hot hatch fans on this car.

Hopefully they will learn some lessons and not wait as long on the next RS.

Qikturbo

You’re right on the money Darryl!
The new ST will have the torque vectoring system for great grip and handling and the interior has been improved with better quality materials.

jasper

Depends if you want your car to shout look at me. If not the base model Golf R is over 10K less.
Numb1er

I think I just wet myself. Can not wait to get my hands on one and blow everyone else with their evo’s and jap cars off the park, a fantastic car this is.
JooberGTi

Finally a car that looks as it drives, and at good value as well.

Agree with some posters, were getting nice cars coming here and will really benefit those after second hand cars down the track.

Can’t wait to see the responses by other manufacturers down the track, Ford will probably have the most fuel efficient car (in class) and now most powerful (in class).

Pity only a 3 door car for me as if 4-door I would be in the market for one of these asap.
Qikturbo

Fantastic news,finally an alternative to the awds.
Gosh,some of you Golf lovers simply cannot comment without having the words “chipped” or “reflashed” in your sentences.Hec you’re such an insecure bunch!

Denzo

Not really my friend. Afaik, the R does 0-100 in 5.37, stock. It\’s beautifully built and look up youtube you can see the golf R take the focus RS on in the snow.. I\’m not sure if the RS even gets off the line in the end. In Sydney it does rain a lot so you\’ll be realizing the advantages of AWD.

Only thing is by the time you option a Golf R with all the goods, it clocks well over $70K. Try $78K on road for top ranger, all options.

The RS will max out at $65K rrp.

So it\’s classier, got better build quality, will smoke an RS all round and doesn\’t scream \’hey look at me\’ while doing it all, in a descent colour.

Oh yeah and that tune you may have heard is just a flash, from APR, 0-100 in 4.64 secs. Not bad for a solid classy little hatch

James Cortez

Almost a decade ago Volvo S60 R produced 220 KW from the same engine so 10 years later a gain of only 4 kw is nothing special. In fact pathetic!! hardly any engine development except perhaps improving the emission. Power / litre is: 88.8 Kw, more or less equals Lancer ralliart and below EVO X, golf R.

Joker

It’s actually a different engine. Believe it or not, the S60R is easier to get power out of than the T5 that sits in the C30 and ST/RS.

James Cortez

Joker,

are they different engines?? are you sure?? bore and stroke are the same? What is the difference then?

carz

i’d buy a base model corolla than this.
XR6T GOD

My deposit is already down
Steff

I test drove the Golf R and Mazda 3 MPS today. I also spoke with Renault and Ford. I own a RenaultSport Clio 182 Cup and have been waiting very patiently for the Megane RS. News of the Focus has complicated things some. Here’s what I learnt.

The Golf R has an atrocious manual gearbox. Very unpleasant. On the freeway it needed to be in fourth to feel any proper urge at 100 too, which was very surprising for a turbo. It just isn’t a torquey motor. The interior wasn’t bad but I was really surprised it had more hard surfaces than even my Clio and really, is pretty barren without options like leather and sat, which shoot the price up very quickly. It was also really boomy noise wise at 2k revs. Some may like that but for me it sounded like a cheap and botched aftermarket exhaust.

The Mazda was a real surprise. It was the vw salesman that mentioned it during my Golf R test drive, silly boy. That car has a truly muscular engine and fantastic gearbox. I’ve owned an 04 mx5 and really it feels that good. The interior though, as much as its feature laden, is a tiny bit low rent with all that weird red affect stuff going on. I apologize to any owners because it’s a really good car, fast as all hell, but not for me.

Talking with a Ford salesman that sold me my wives car I learnt that they are indeed taking deposits. This dealer wants a 2k credit card imprint, which seems very reasonable. They’ve had one order so far. I can’t help feeling a bit ripped off though. My wife drives a Mondeo XR5 turbo which we picked up for about 40 brand new. They listed for 30,000 pounds. The Focus lists for 28,000 pounds. Only the RS500 is 35,000 pounds – but even that doesn’t translate as the Mondeo did to AU dollars. Expensive exclusivity here guys.

Now for Renault. I’ve never had a good experiences getting information out of these guys but today was different. They even sent me an internal ppt of detail. The Megane arrives in Oct in both Cup and Trophee levels. It includes the cool little computer but no sat nav. The Trophe has 19′s, folding mirrors and recaros. And you can option xenons and leather recaros. Finally, pricing will start at 47ish and they too are taking orders. They’re getting mine.

As much as the Focus is cool it is overly expensive and having owned a Renault I’ll to stick to my guns and buy the Megane. I believe no other manufacturer knows how to put together a car quite like Renault. Yes they get rattly and have bad resale but you can cane them every single day and it puts a smile on your face every single time. They deserve to do much better here. And if you’re really into cars you know it’s how they excite you that’s important, even when you know the latte drinking R driver will double your trade in value in 3 years time. He didn’t have anywhere near as much fun as you though… shame that. Finally, I’m pretty sure the Megane won’t be the target of every thief or fool with a key – fingers crossed.

Sorry, far too long I know.

Denzo

A Golf R has “an exhaust thats cheap and boomy at 2K revs and sounds like a botched up aftermarket exhaust”..?

Your an idiot. And the interior is the best of all the cars you just mentioned. You say its “not bad”. Every article I have read has praised it as being class leading and belonging to that of a higher segment.

Actually, you a crack head?

Thanks for your comments. Next..

Steff

Perhaps you should form your own opinion Denzo. Sit in the cars, drive them, then come back and tell us what you think, adding some value to this conversation. Don’t take it in isolation or dare I say, from only what you read.

The boominess is there, an affect I created in an old Nissan exa with an aftermarket exhaust many years ago, by accident of course. The golf is loudest at 2k, which is great for posers and so to my mind contrived. It should be loudest when you’re going hardest. Why would anyone make the car sound best when hardly moving, unless it isn’t really that focused… excuse the pun.

And feel around the cabin. It’s really not what i expected. The reviewers you’re talking about probably weren’t given the base model or were talking about the base golf being a class leader. I was left very unimpressed and I think it’s reflective of the very reduced pricing from the old and nicer r32, a car I spent a good amount of time in.

Dishowiroll

Most real drivers agree …. the 135i will blow this away!!
Rat Patrol

When it runs 12.1 qtrs, gimme a call……
Andrew

Better be good – otherwise it will be overpriced – tough market competition.