New Ford Focus RS revealed

Production will begin on the new Ford Focus RS later this year

FORD has described the new Focus RS as a game changer.

The new model, an All-Wheel-Drive, was previewed today in Cologne, ahead of its global reveal at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

The third generation Focus RS boasts a 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine that can produce ‘in excess of 320PS’.

This engine shares its ‘fundamental structure’ with that in the all-new Mustang, however, Ford says it has been ‘significantly upgraded through a comprehensive package of design changes’.

Ford promises the hot hatch, which was developed by the Ford Performance team in association with World Rallycross star Ken Block, delivers ‘thrilling performance and unbridled driving enjoyment’

It adds the ‘ground-breaking’ new Ford Performance All-Wheel-Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring offers ‘class-leading cornering speed and limit handling’.

Group vice president, Global Product Development, Raj Nair said: ‘The all-new Focus RS is a serious machine with high-performance technology and innovative engineering that sets a new benchmark for driving exhilaration on the road and track.’

The new Ford Focus RS will include the Ford SYNC connectivity system

He added: ‘[Focus RS] is a great example of our passion for innovation through performance and creating vehicles that make people’s hearts pound.’

President of Ford of Europe, Jim Farley said: ‘The new Focus RS represents Ford at its passionate best – delivering innovation, unmatched driving dynamics and stunning performance that was previously the sole province of high-priced performance luxury marques and exotics.

‘We are acutely aware of the benchmarks we have set ourselves with RS performance models through the years, and rest assured that this new car raises the game to a new level.’

He added that by using EcoBoost technology, it can show ‘how an innovation that powers almost every car in our range can also be the heartbeat of our finest performance cars’.

Director of Global Ford Performance, Dave Pericak said: ‘This very special 2.3-litre EcoBoost unit will inspire drivers as they feel the surge of the turbo, and reward them as they take it to the red line – all delivered with a stirring sound guaranteed to put a smile on your face.’

Slated for production in Germany later this year, the new Focus RS is the first model for global distribution.

Further details will be announced at the Geneva Motor Show.

Related articles
New Ford GT supercar unveiled at Detroit