Ford Focus RS confirmed!
December 18, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
After years of yes/no/maybe answers Ford of Europe has today confirmed plans to deliver the high performance Focus RS model for launch in 2009. The first official image of the car was also released today.
Based on the Focus ST (XR5), it will be developed by Ford Team RS, to take on the likes of Subaru and Mitsubishi’s rally kings.
“With two consecutive Manufacturers’ World Rally Championship titles under our belt, the time is right to create a new Focus RS,” said John Fleming, Ford of Europe’s President and CEO.
Ford is tight-lipped about the whole thing, not giving any hints as to what we should expect, only that the company plans to show a concept version of the car publicly for the first time in mid-2008.
“We will use the redesigned 2008 Focus ST as the base for a no-compromise RS model that will become the ultimate road-going Focus. Just as the Focus RS WRC owns the rally circuit, we want the new Focus RS to own the road, so we have the major competitors in our sights as we develop the car’s performance, design, handling and braking.” Mr Capito added.
Ford Australia is keen to bring the car here, most likely under the FPV badge.
“It’s definitely something we would look at but we can’t confirm anything at this stage,” said Ford Australia motorsport media manager Vicki Heath.
A firm decision would be made after the car’s European launch, she said.
Expect to see the Focus RS at European motor shows mid next year.
You can find spy photos of the Focus RS here.
Print it: 
the picture looks like what next Territory could look like.
I love my racing mostly moto gp motorbikes, but V8’s is a passion to, but if we lose Ford Australia, local motorsport will suffer greatly and Holden will suffer as well and I’ll do everything in my power to defame the phrase “My daddy told me Holden is the best” syndrome, I know people that have bought Daewoo platformed Holden’s and didn’t realize they are two cars in one imported from Korea, I think we should rally behind exposing the truth, as the majority of the public should be aware Holdenwoo’s false advertising..
Just like “Football, Meatpies, KangAroos and Holdenwoo cars” is something that makes people love Holden and think they the only australian car….
So that’s why a whole young generation now supports Holden. Last time this subject came up, “jbot” started insulting my family and ganged up on me with his Holdenwoo friends, so what i’m saying, that’s old, no need to bring it back.
Agreed i think that ford and holden are the ying and yang of australian automobiles you cant have one with out the other.
This article is about a Focus RS and we still get the same tosser changing topics.
I think it’s great that Ford has decided to go ahead with the RS. Not everyone wants to drive an STI or EVO. The Focus is a wonderful base package which should be great fun with AWD and 210+ kwatt. It should make a nice addition to the FPV range for those of us who like smaller cars.
can someone explain the difference between an RS and, say an XR5??
It’s called XR5 in Australia to be with the XR6 & XR8 Falcons.
So if it is sold as an FPV in australia it will be a great competitor for the HSV VXR Astra! Go VXR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Isnt the point of FPV AND HSV is to specially tune the vehicles to a set spec or a limited edition model.
wouldnt it be pretty cheap to bring in a car and put FPV or HSV badging on it. all you are paying for is the badges.
Maybe tweak the gearing or bigger turbo or whatever. And i know its cheaper to do that but still
^ I mean: I know it is cheaper to import vehicle and put said badges on vehicle.
As far as I know, the VXR Astra is simple badge engineering. The RS could be the same. You can’t give the Astra more power because it already has too much torque steer, and understeer. It is a bit quicker than the XR5 but the Focus handles far better. Not sure how much extra FPV could do to an RS.
Darrel TJ – The XR5Turbo is a FocusST in Europe. Very similar to a Zetec except it has a blown 5 pot Volvo engine making 166kW. The RS however, if history is anything to go by, will have 50% more power and AWD, a real rally weapon.
Duck – For those reasons, the VXR wouldn’t be in the same class. The XR5 and VXR are hot hatches, but the RS would be on a whole ‘nother level.
The Axe – Not sure who you are referring to? A few people go off topic. Give us a hint?
Another point. The Focus range is designed in Germany and built in South Africa (soon to be Oz in 2010). But the ST (XR5) is fully built in Germany. I’m sure the RS is/will be too.
Bavarian…your a hypocrit. An Assie wanting a BMW Euro car. Actually i’m skiing this xmas.
I’ve lived in Oz and loved it (back home now). Your just pissed about the tail pipe bit..Aaawww i’m really sorry. Go on chuck another shrimp on yer barby small town boy
Actually *she* loves her BMW’s and Oz muscle cars.
UK BOY……..a Hypocrit? How……..I also stable Aussie Horse Power as well as an M3, HONEY! Ive never said Euro isn’t better than Aussie mate, in some areas! Yep I got pissed off about the tail pipe bit,cause you assumed {and thats what I hate about people that come on this site and have no idea what the other drivers or for that matter what S E X they are,again you assume I am a guy.Wrong}that I had something slow. Mate doesn’t matter what keys I grab in this house I won’t be looking at its tail pipe!And your response to Aussie’s having the tittle of the fastest production car in the world was what??? STOP ranting on about what you clearly have no idea about!
Remind me again how good British stuff was in the 70s compared to Aussie built…..
Oh and remind me again how much of the RS FOCUS is British built ????????????????????
Never said this wasn’t a great car either the current GERMAN made XR5 Focus is a fantastic car! Cheerio young chap!!
Thanks Watto……..just when I thought I had all the idiots I can tolerate in a week ,I get another ignoramus attacking me . Some people should perhaps do some research on those they abuse on this site before attaching their fingers to the key board!
Yes BM, the pommy cars were crap in the 60&70 with their gutless 4s. So GuyUK Boy can’t talk. How did you end up an idiot magnet on this post?
GayUKboy… Stay away from an Australian car site if you want to attack and be racist… Not all the cars in UK are pommy, mate. So don’t winge againts Australians for having BMWs, Hypocrit.
Hey folks i kinda love the colonials. Queen Liz and all that. Cut it out the worlds to small.
I’m downgrading to a holden barina to cut my carbon footprint
Correct me if i’m wrong but Fords RS base is in Ockenden, Essex, UK not in mainland Europe as some of you state. Fords cars are generally assembled for Europe in Germany, and Belgium. The smaller cars as you state for the southern hemisphere market are assembled in S.A.
The RS is going to be a fab car & like all fords well prepared. Mine is on order.
^^^^More Spam, I feel very sorry for you John Howard, stooping that low and resorting to buy a piece of junk called a Barina, please leave your Holdenwoo car crap comments for holdenwoo forums thanks..
Hey little Johnny! Do you miss the view from your morning walk? :D
Don’t buy a Barina, the older “OPEL” ones are lemons and the new “Holdenwoo” ones are egg shels.
They should stick with the RS badge over here
Hey ME where did i mention anything about racism. I’m not anywhere as racist as most Aussies. I’ve live in Oz for a time and loved it. I like this website for the intelligent discussions but you’ve let the side down.
Sorry if i offended BM i just made a comment he/she took exception to. Can’t help if they are being over sensitive.
Yep 70 brit cars were crap. Plenty of peeps in Oz still driving them though.
RS is still a great car though.
Guy UK Boy. Poms are good, that’s why I like Top Gear.
Which cars are people still driving? Cortinas? My first 2 cars were Sporty Corty’s.
Rare to seem them around now tho.
Yes Watto, Top Gear is a good car show from UK. It’s not boring testing, they usally push the cars to their limits.
watch this from latest Top Gear series UK winter 07 – Vauxhall VXR 8 test against the german competitors. Ace motor clarkson loved it. Well done you lot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wtmfgd2MUxQ
He was thrashing the vxr8 6.0 aka clubby,comparing it to a m5,same colour as m5 grunt of m5 at the end asked what would buy and said its an australian car with poor looks and wouldnt buy it,instead i would buy the m5.Honest pom hehe.
Well, I like Top Gear for entertainment. Maybe not a huge amount of info, but that may be why it’s entertaining. Go the Stig.
It will be very good to see the RS come to Austalia for it is certainly a good option to make back some ground against STI, EVO and HSV. Thanks god Ford is selling off these other manufacturers such as Range Rover – the constant R&D each year for Rover alone costs Ford millions – and they never get it back. Ford needs to perfect their own models now and make money for THEMSELVES so we get the good end of the stick. Focus and Mondeo are gonna save the image for Ford here in Oz – and the BG Falcon will top it off.