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Video: 2018 Ford Focus RS Limited Edition road and track drive

A track day in a range of sporty Focuses culminates in discovering whether the addition of a torque-biasing front diff and stickier rubber makes the Ford Focus RS Limited Edition an even greater hot hatch.


What we love
  • Front diff and Cup 2 tyres combine for faster lap times
  • Throttle-adjustable handling
  • Brilliant brakes
  • Hugely impressive grip in wet and dry
  • Torquey engine great for tracks and commutes
  • Limited gains AEB
What we don't
  • Quaife diff hinders prolonged slides
  • Still heavy for a hot hatch
  • Gearshift action could be sweeter
  • Cabin quality still not a Ford strong point
  • High-set front seats

The Ford Focus RS Limited Edition is an upgraded version of the Blue Oval hot-hatch we’ve loved since it was released in mid 2016.

It lifts the price tag from $50,990 to $56,990, though additions include the Performance Wheel Package that was previously a $2500 option and, more exclusively, a Quaife helical-geared limited-slip differential for the front axle.

There’s no change for the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, with power remaining at 257kW – channelled to all four wheels via a single gearbox choice: a six-speed manual.

Ford Australia has placed a cap of 500 units of the Limited Edition, which will be the last hurrah for this third-generation RS.

An extra six-grand doesn’t buy you a faster car off the line – the RS is still quoted at 4.7 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint – and even Ford says the front differential will be noticed more on a track than a road.

So, after an enjoyable blast on a country road, we headed to Sydney Motorsport Park to try both the original third-generation RS and the new Limited Edition to find out the differences on the stopwatch.

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