This is the most desirable hot hatch of 2009, and the fastest mainstream model in Ford’s history. Auto Express was given exclusive access to the new RS and treated with a drive to remember by rising motorsport star Matthew Wilson – son of legendary rally driver and Ford WRC team boss, Malcolm Wilson.
They certainly found the ideal location, in the shape of an empty airfield where Matthew was able to push the RS to its limits. The result is pure entertainment. Their driver demonstrated a blur of hand and foot co-ordination and enjoyed complete mastery of the car, even when sliding sideways at considerable speeds.
High speed is what the Focus RS is all about. Fans of fast Fords have been eagerly anticipating a new RS since 2002 – and they were pleased to report the wait has been more than worth it. This is one mean machine which transforms the Focus from family-friendly motor to a true macho beast.
Power comes from a modified version of the 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine found in the Focus ST, but with 224kW, performance is brutal – the benchmark sprint from zero to 100km/h takes only 5.9 seconds. And if you are lucky enough to have your own runway, you will see that it is quite capable of hitting its 260km/h top speed.
Under the bonnet, a host of hi-tech gadgets means it grips the tarmac like a second skin.
And the jewel in the crown is something called RevoKnuckle, a very clever suspension system that dramatically reduces the torque steer which was the Achilles’ heel of the last Focus RS.
Owners will quickly fall in love with the new model, because as well being a track stormer, it can also serve as daily transport. Thanks to a Jekyll-and-Hyde personality, it cruises serenely at high speed, the engine settling to a gentle hum. But as soon as the driver floors the accelerator, it once again becomes a true powerhouse, the characteristic off-beat warble of the five-cylinder engine entering the cabin.
And whatever mode you are in, two figure-hugging Recaro sports seats ensure a fabulously comfortable ride. These are part of a racy finished interior, which features carbon fibre trim and underlines the fact that the RS is no ordinary Focus. This impression is echoed by the exterior, which boasts an aggressive front end with a low splitter and deep air intakes, plus a huge boot spoiler and rally-inspired diffuser.
Jost Capito, head of the Ford RS performance division, believes this is the best RS ever – and that’s a major claim when you consider some of the great Fords that have carried the legendary badge since 1970.
Auto Express concludes that on the basis of their exciting passenger ride, the 1800 customers who have already splashed out around R370 000 are getting a model which is worth every cent.
Adapted from AutoExpress
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