The new RS is officially the most powerful hatchback Ford has ever produced!
Underneath the blinding green paintwork (apparently derived from the ‘Le Mans green’ hue originally seen on the Escort RS1600 in the ’70s) lies a burbling, turbocharged 2.5-litre five cylinder developing 296bhp and 410Nm of torque. Sounds like a recipe for torque steer I hear you say. No problem, Ford have enlisted the help of a specially designed suspension dubbed RevoKnuckle that works with the Quaife limited slip differential in order to avoid torque steer.
Unlike the preceding Mk 1 Focus RS, torque output will be limited in the first three gears. Reportedly this is to eliminate excessive wear on the gearbox, but perhaps to also aid the torque steer fighting RevoKnuckle.
Inside, the green theme continues with a pair of neon-trimmed buckets and enough carbon trim to float a ship. The ‘RS’ badge on the steering wheel means you’ll never forget you’re only a right foot prod away from illegal speeds.
So far, the RS has been testing at the ‘Ring’ (where it’s expected to run very close to the Mégane R26.R), Ford’s proving ground at Lommel in Belgium and, most recently, it has been doing some time at Nardo in Southern Italy.
The RS still has 6 months of development work ahead before it makes its market debut in early 2009.
