Ford Focus RS

SUCH was the expectation that greeted this week’s launch of the Ford Focus RS that more than 2,000 drivers in the UK had placed an order before it arrived in the showrooms.

Just think about that. None of those hundreds of drivers prepared to shell out more than £25,000 had ever driven the car, and many had only even seen it in pictures or video footage. That’s an extraordinary expression of loyalty and faith.

The good news for all those who took the plunge and forked out in advance is that the car is an absolute cracker. For those tempted to buy, be prepared for a wait to get your hands on one.

Ford of Europe’s fastest-ever production car is not only a significant moment in the heritage of the Focus and RS brands, but is set to change expectations of a front-wheel-drive high performance car in the way it translates its power into precision, driveability, traction and performance.

Achieving 0-62mph in under six seconds and with a top speed of 160mph, the RS uses a re-engineered version of the 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine already used in the sibling Focus ST to produce 301 bhp.

Just think about that, too. All that horsepower being delivered to the front wheels, and it still works a treat. It shouldn’t, but it does, thanks to some clever engineering.

It is 11 years since the Focus was first revealed to the world, and the new Focus RS marks the return of the famous but rare RS badge. Last seen on the first-generation Focus RS in 2002, the brand has a distinguished heritage stretching back 38 years.

In the 40-year story of Ford RS, the marque has been applied sparingly, merited by only the most high-performance Ford machines.

More than 100 engineers have been involved in this car’s development, with the priorities being the pace and performance feel of the previous RS, but with even more power and greater stability; durable circuit performance, but with greater comfort for everyday driving.

The versatility of this RS is a big part of its attraction. Sure, you can have an exhilarating track experience behind the wheel, but it is also perfectly suited to the role of family hatchback, albeit with significant drawbacks in terms of fuel economy, insurance rating and CO2 emissions.

Press down your right foot and you will enjoy its superb power delivery and amazing torque, but you will be cushioned by the technology that makes this a civilised expression of a full-blooded hot hatch.

The Focus RS is the only front-wheel-drive, 300-plus bhp high-performance car available today, an indication of the challenge of creating such a vehicle.

In keeping with its heritage, the RS is a more performance-oriented vehicle than the Focus ST.

However, both are front-wheel-drive, one of the first decisions taken in the development of RS. “Front-wheel-drive was our preference all along. All-wheel-drive systems add cost, weight, inertia and, consequently, fuel consumption. Compensating for the significant weight of an all-wheel-drive system requires dynamic compromises we preferred not to make. If you can achieve the performance you want without steering disturbance, then front-wheel-drive is a better performance car – lighter and with a more precise, linear steering response than AWD,” explained Team RS chief engineer Dirk Densing.

Rather than settle for grafting performance detailing on to a standard body shape, the designers have revised almost every body panel on the RS to create its bespoke shape.

New front and rear bumpers and integrated side rocker mouldings give a lowered, meaner appearance, while a revised bodyside with wider wheel arches, rocker mouldings and vents give it a more purposeful stance. These are topped by possibly the most dramatic of Focus RS exterior features, the imposing rear spoiler, and 19-inch alloy wheels, both inspired directly by the Focus world rally car.

Ford is offering three colour options: a bright green metallic paint finish chosen as a modern interpretation of the 1970s Ford Le Mans Green, Performance Blue and Frozen White. Each has a choice of blue or green colour matched interior and a full black leather option is also available.

The four-seater cabin is dominated by Recaro sports seats front and rear, while the centre console is finished in carbon-look trim.

Metallised highlights include air vents, door grab handles, switchgear and gearshift surround and RS-branded scuff plates on the door sills. These highlights contrast with a black-trimmed roof lining.

The sporty character is emphasised by a chunky, three-spoke steering wheel with a shorter-throw gear lever, with a slick, precise action.

The driving environment is completed by aluminium foot pedals and three additional gauges, including turbo pressure, sitting atop the centre console and angled toward the driver.

You can also choose between two “luxury packs”. Luxury Pack 1 offers air-conditioning, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dim rear-view mirror, rear parking sensors and a key-free system. Luxury Pack 2 adds a touchscreen DVD navigation system.

In being both a genuine Ford RS and a full member of the Focus family, the new Focus RS represents a significant moment in the legacy of both brands.

In a couple of years from now, production of this incarnation will cease, and what is set to be a glorious chapter in its history will close.

At a glance

Model: Ford Focus RS

Price: £25,740

Engine: 2.5-litre petrol

Transmission: Six-speed manual drving front wheels

Power: 301 bhp; peak torque of 440Nm between 2,300 and 4,500 rpm.

Performance: 0-62 mph in 5.9 seconds; top speed 163 mph

Fuel economy: 30.5 mpg combined

CO2 emissions: 225 g/km