There’s something rather special about the ‘old’ Ford Focus ST (produced in 2002-2003). It is a car that is good looking, powerful and exciting. Even better, there aren’t many of them about on UK roads. It’s a proper hot hatch that’ll cover 0-60 in a shade over six seconds so it has proper, proper performance. It came with a limited slip diff to avoid the wheels scrabbling too much and those who have one will tell you that they are a real joy.
However, the RS was quickly overshadowed by the slightly-more-manic (and wonderfully coloured I hasten to add) Ford Focus ST. What’s bad about this car could be written on the back of a stamp. It is phenomenal. Granted, if you’re concerned about boy-racer attention then it’s not much of a car for you, but for everyone else you’ll just LOVE that 2.5 litre turbocharged engine.
The new Ford Focus RS has been revealed – and it’s a good looker too. It has lost none of its focus and is no doubt after the crown of the older brother, the ST. If looks alone are anything to go buy then it could well steal it. Granted, the machinery underneath looks extremely promising too, with that same 2.5 litre engine being uprated to produce 280BHP! That’s even more than the mad-crazy Vauxhall Astra VXR and it should give this motor some serious oomph.
Granted, you may well be concerned about how just two wheels will handle this (the old Cosworth was after all a four-wheel job) but the answer is Ford has thought of this too. There’s a trick diff set up to electronically distribute those furious horses when you plant your right foot, making sure that you don’t just scrabble but actively shoot down the road.
The latest news is that this sweet-looking Ford is currently lapping the Nurburgring excitedly. Why? To make sure that it is not only a great car in its own right but to ensure that it’s a wonderful driver’s car. The reason being of course that this sort of model will surely land in the hands of an enthusiast, regardless of how high petrol prices go.
Is this going to be a Ford that’s worth the wait? I’d say almost certainly yes. Granted, the ST might look a bit lairy but this takes it a whole step further. And in this case, that’s a wonderful thing. Ali G might love it, but so do I. Ford, I really think you’re on with a winner here, so don’t mess it up by going all Alfa Romeo Brera on us and making it too heavy.
Leave a Reply