Ford has finally released details and a picture of the new Ford Focus RS. So we may not have all the juicy details – but at least we have enough to get us thinking about how well it might drive and how popular it might become.
The Ford Focus will use the 2.5-litre turbocharged engine from the Ford Focus ST but with much more power – expected to be around 300bhp. Modifications to the turbo, air filter and exhaust will place the RS in direct competition with the new Subaru Impreza STi and Mitsubishi Evolution.
The X-MAX’s roots as a variant of the Focus are clearly visible, but the off-roader boasts fresh headlamps, rear light clusters inspired by the S-MAX compact MPV and purposeful wheelÂarch extensions. The four-wheel-drive machine also features practical roof rails, designed to help set it apart from the rest of the Focus range.
The Ford Focus remains the most entertaining regular family hatch to drive but recent arrivals from VW, Vauxhall and Honda have run it increasingly close. The ST battles for fast hatch class honours in a segment full of talent. Hot hatches now pack 200 plus bhp in their pseudo shopping-car body shells and levels of performance have never been higher in this price bracket.
In contrast to a number of news reporting poor sales figures and overall company peformance in North America, Kiwis are more willing to “Buy American†than Americans themselves. In fact, the current pulse in the enthusiast market suggests New Zealand consumers are more willing to buy Ford than a good number of Americans.
After years of being completely ignored in the compact segment, the 2008 Ford Focus is finally hoping to grab some attention with an all-new look. Unlike the European Ford Focus which now rides on an all-new platform, the 2008 Ford Focus in the U.S. will remain on its current framework.