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Ford Focus RS - Ford Focus Car Review

Review

Added: 12 Sep 2009
Last update: 25 Dec 2009

REVO-KNUCKLE may sound like the name of a new indie rock band, but its value is in the way it deals with heavy metal.

In reality it is an innovative suspension system that reduces the torque steer on Ford's long-awaited mean machine the Focus RS. And believe me, it's very welcome.

Lovers of fast Fords have had to wait seven years for the latest RS, which is inspired by the world rally Focus.

The previous model was a fantastic car but its performance was blighted by torque steer, which occurs during hard acceleration when torque on the driven wheels exceeds grips levels.

Floor the throttle from standstill and the car would weave around like Bambi on ice.

There's still a hint of it on the new model, but the Revo minimizes it significantly on what is now a performer with no equal outside of the mega money supercar bracket.

At £26,395 the RS is an absolute steal - so you need to keep it locked up. Rivals like the Mitsubishi Evo X cost at least three grand more while Subaru's Impreza WRX lags way behind in the power stakes.

The RS uses the same 2.5-litre turbocharged engine that's under the bonnet of the fiery Focus ST, yet have boosted the output from 222 to a whopping 301bhp.

That's serious punch going through the front wheels of a light vehicle, and enough to propel the Ford to 62mph in a fleeting 5.9 seconds.

Those who feel inclined to push for the 163mph top speed - and I am assured the car can hit that figure - would need access to a racetrack.

Not surprisingly the RS design is aggressive and very much in your face. You wouldn't guess it was a Ford Focus with its Darth Vader-style front grille, louvred bonnet vents and smoked headlamps.

The dozens of motorists who creep perilously close to your rear bumper will only spot the RS badge after clocking the gaping twin exhausts and huge roof spoiler.

But the Ford also has a beauty that is of serious value - the way it drives in everyday conditions. You can pootle comfortably around town at 30mph and the car doesn't feel like a caged animal going crazy to get out.

And when that power surge does come, body-hugging Recaro seats are there to cosset those up front.

The car's interior is more standard Focus with the exception of a carbon-fibre effect finish around the dash and centre console, plus dials for turbo boost, oil pressure and oil temperature.

Being a Focus though means there's plenty of space, though for two not three in rear, and a decent sized boot.

On the down side, insurance is expensive (Group 19) and the official average fuel figure of 30.5 miles per gallon is fanciful to say the least, but it's a small price to pay when you can buy the fastest mainstream Ford ever produced for a little over £26,000.

FAST FACTS

Ford Focus RS

Price: £26,395

Mechanical: 301bhp, 2,522cc, 20-valve turbocharged petrol engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual transmission

Max speed: 163mph

0-62mph: 5.9 secs

Combined mpg: 30.5

Insurance group: 19

CO2 emissions: 225g/km

BiK rating: 35%

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles, 12yrs anti-rust, 3yrs paint

Words: Mike Torpey

Keywords: ford, focus-rs


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