It’s been a good 40 years since South Africa had the opportunity to enjoy a performance RS Ford, because the iconic RS badge (Rally Sport) is not something Ford treats frivolously.
In fact, the last RS to hit our shores was the Ford Escort RS in the 1970s, which also had a limited production run.
So when news broke that the Focus RS was available overseas last year, fans and media pleaded with Ford to offer the citizens of SA the privilege of owning a truly iconic prodigy. A year later and our country has become home to a very limited number of Focus RSs - that number being 60 - and all already sold!
And why wouldn’t they be? The Focus RS was designed to fulfil the promise of being the ultimate production Focus, and subsequently the powerful 2.5-litre Duratec 5-cylinder engine that drives the Focus morphed the vehicle into one of the fastest hot hatches ever. Mated to a 6-speed transmission, this 224kW powertrain reaches 0-100km/h in just under 6.0 seconds, delivering 440Nm of torque at 4 500rpm as well as being capable of reaching a top speed of over 260km/h.
But, Ford hasn’t just focused its attention on making an all-out rampant beast. It’s also made sure the RS is comfortable to drive - not only on the track, but under everyday road conditions. This results in a surprisingly smooth drive not only for the driver but passengers front and rear, too. The car also houses the everyday luxuries to which one becomes accustomed - like, aircon, power steering and a mean-looking sound system… to name a few.
So what makes the RS different from its sibling, the ST? Although the engine shares its fundamental structure with the ST, that’s where the resemblance ends. The RS has a revised cylinder head gasket and ultra-durable metal sprayed cylinder bores. However, the most obvious change is the car’s turbo, offering a maximum steady state boost pressure of 1.4 bar - double that of an ST - generating the car’s 35% power increase.
Amid such engine changes, the suspension needed to be updated to accommodate the car’s new clout by introducing the RevoKnuckle: an innovation offering significant benefit to a new front-wheel-drive RS. Beyond this, the car also receives a wider track. This means Ford has now done what was previously thought impossible by developing a 224kW front-wheel-drive car that is not only driveable everyday, but in many situations is also faster than an all-wheel-drive performance car.
The result is impeccable handling on the track with a car capable of delivering power on demand while, at the same time, not getting bent out of shape while delivering its grunt.
In addition to power and comfort, Ford has managed to make the RS quite the looker. With its aggressive bold styling and striking colour combinations this vehicle will snatch everyone’s attention.
So, with all the work carried out fine-tuning the design and chassis set-up the Americans could be forgiven for overlooking fuel economy. But they haven’t. This hot hatch still manages to boast a respectable 9.4 litres per 100km and an average CO2 rating of 225g/km.
Under its performance exterior, the RS continues the Focus’ excellent safety record with features including standard ABS, EBD and ESP as well as driver and passenger front airbags, side curtain airbags and pyrotechnic belt pre-tensioners protecting front occupants.
It’s no wonder then that the new Focus RS has earned the right to sport the renowned RS insignia. What a pity only a select few get the pleasure of owning such a vehicle… but then again they did pay close to R500 000 to own one.
