Ford introduces the Focus RS in Geneva
Ever since the very first Focus RS was launched in 2002, we lamented the fact that we couldn’t get it on our continent. Unfortunately, various reasons kept the subsequent generation out of North America, and it looked like we wouldn’t be able to drive the sporty hatchback… Until now.
This morning, Ford officially unveiled the third-gen Focus RS, which will sit above the ST, performance-wise. First of all, the 2-litre powerplant that is normally found in a Focus has been ditched in favour of a 2.3-litre four-cylinder. According to Ford, this engine is good for ‘’over 315 horsepower’’. The brand’s fans will recognize this engine, as it is pretty much the same as the one found in the Mustang EcoBoost.
To put this power to the ground, a traditional FWD setup wasn’t going to cut it. To replace it, Ford’s engineers installed a complex all-wheel drive system, which can send up to 70% of the power to the rear axle. A pair of clutch packs located on said axle can limit the torque sent to each wheel, which will certainly help this Ford’s handling characteristics.
The Focus RS will feature a host of upgrades under the hood, like a new, less restrictive air intake than the one found in the Mustang, a free-flowing exhaust with a valve that can increase back pressure and a rev limiter set to 6,800 rpm. And, the only available transmission is a good old six-speed manual.
To set it apart from a car you can get at the airport rental agency, the Focus RS features new bumpers (which also help aerodynamics and cooling), 19-inch wheels, a new rear wing and unique side skirts. The RS will be available in Nitrous Blue, Absolute Black, Stealth Grey and Arctic White. But note that the car pictured above is painted Liquid Blue, which won’t be available to the public.