The Ford Focus RS is effectively in its third generation and is also the 30th car to wear the RS badge since 1968 (beginning with the Ford 15M RS) and will be assembled at Ford’s Saarlouis, Germany, manufacturing plant towards the end of this year.
Gymkhana and World Rallycross star Ken Block was brought on as a consultant who teamed up with the Ford Performance team.
To help keep it on the ground, the front splitter, rear spoiler, rear diffuser and underbody all help to eliminate lift and provide for optimum high-speed handling and stability.
The latest Focus RS also gets AWD with torque vectoring and can divert 70% of its maximum torque to the rear axle entirely or to one of the rear axle’s 19-inch wheels with 235/35 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres (or optional Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres).
During cornering, the rear drive unit is able to divert torque to the outer rear wheel immediately based on inputs such as steering wheel angle, lateral acceleration (capable of more than 1g), yaw and speed.
Inside, owners will be constantly reminded that this hot hatch wears the RS badge with its blue stitching on the seats, steering wheel, floor mats and interior trim, while the RS logo can be found on the seats, steering wheel and door scuff plates.
The Recaro sports seats have been partially upholstered in leather, however the signature RS Recaro shell seats with microfibre fabric panels will be available as an option for Europe and Asia.The list of standard equipment includes electronic stability control as well as stiffer parts such as the sports suspension, bushes, anti-roll-bars and dual-mode dampers for track days, while an electronically controlled valve in the tailpipe controls backpressure and noise output.
Also included in the list is auto-start-stop function, electric power-assisted steering system (EPAS), bi-Xenon headlights with adaptive front lighting, active city stop and automatic braking technology (up to 50kph).
Four colours for the Ford Focus RS is being made available, starting with Nitrous Blue, Stealth Grey, Absolute Black and Frozen White.
The car revealed in Cologne features the same special Liquid Blue colour scheme first seen on the all-new Ford GT revealed last month at the North American International Auto Show.
Ford will debut the Focus RS for the first time at the 2015 Geneva Show.
“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,” said Ford president (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Jim Farley
