The car got a good solid flogging at the hands of the chief editor of Germany's Sport-Auto, Horst von Saurma-Jeltsch, who pressed the car through the 13 mile course in a very respectable 8:26. We continue to be very green with envy. [via Carscoop]

With a 5-second penalty awarded for a missed goal, which of these two very different, precision machines will cover the course the fastest?

The Focus RS is no match for the GT-R on The 'Ring, where the massive power and sophisticated AWD setup gives the Nissan a clear advantage over the FWD, 300 HP Ford. Take the two out to some wonderful back roads in the English countryside and it's a slightly different story. Whereas the GT-R is all about the controlled distribution of force, the Focus RS is all about confident fun. As a real world daily driver on narrow roads with steep drop-offs and few long straights, the Focus RS wins out in terms of experience. [Autocar]

Automotive News claims Hermann Salenbauch, Ford's advanced product creation and global performance director told them Ford is looking for "feedback from the media and customers...how much do they like it? Is it really what they want? We are pretty confident that it is." We know we feel pretty confident it is. So say we all? If we do, say your piece right now — show Ford the positive feedback they so desperately desire.

[via Automotive News]

A 2.5 liter turbocharged five cylinder with 300 horsepower, searing green paintjob, Revoknuckles, Recaro buckets, six speed transmission... perhaps the lustiest forbidden fruit in the hot hatch world right now, it's the 2009 Ford Focus RS. We know it reeks of boy-racer looks but we don't care. We just want to pretend to be zipping around marked stages somewhere deep in the WRC season. The only question now is what color?

[Youtube via Carscoop]

Below you'll find the official release explaining what happened during Rally Norway, as well as a picture we almost went with. Thankfully, the photographer didn't get too close.

Touch The Sky

Icemen Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen kept their cool in the heat of a thrilling snow battle to throw down the gauntlet to arch-rival Sébastien Loeb during today's opening leg of Rally Norway. The BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team pair won four ice-bound speed tests in their Focus RS World Rally Car to lead for most of the day, before calmly playing a tactical masterstroke in the final kilometres to gain a better start position tomorrow.

[Source: Ford]

Every time we see a Focus RS, it reminds us of the famous pre-hippie era image of Woody Guthrie holding his guitar emblazoned with the slogan "This machine kills fascists," only we imagine a bumper sticker on the tail of the Focus RS reading "This machine kills tuners." We want a Focus RS so bad our insides ache. And with today's announcement from Ford that the pocket rocket will be selling for £24,995, or about $38,359 in imaginary US sales dollars, it makes the churning in our gut even more intense.

For that dough Ford will serve up a turbocharged 2.5 liter five cylinder with 300 HP and 324 lb-ft of torque mated to a six-speed transmission, all good for a 0-62 mph under six seconds with a top speed of over 160 MPH. Want.

Combine these stats with the cruel, cruel release of follow-up video featuring World Rally Championships superstar Marcus Grönholm blasting around the inside of a stadium to rousing applause and columns of fire and we're pretty sure Ford of Europe is just doing this on purpose. The details, if you must, in the press release below.

PRICES ANNOUNCED FOR 2009 FORD FOCUS RS

BRENTWOOD, Essex, 15 December, 2008 Ford’s fastest-ever European production car, the 2009 Focus RS, will be priced from £24,995 when it goes on sale in the UK in March.

The new Focus RS is the first Ford to wear the famous Rallye Sport badge since the first-generation Focus RS was launched seven years ago, and the 22nd since 1970.

RS denotes a distinctive blend of high performance, road-holding, refinement, safety and value for money, and reflects a proud tradition of successful motor sports involvement that continues to the present day.

Under the bonnet of the Ford Focus RS is a turbocharged 2.5-litre, five-cylinder Duratec petrol engine, with a confirmed 305PS and 440Nm peak torque. Features include unique camshafts and a revised cylinder head and gasket, intake and manifold system.

Front-wheel-driven through a six-speed transmission, the Focus RS accelerates from 0-62mph in under six seconds and has a targeted top speed of over 160mph.

A class-leading balance of traction, sports handling and performance is achieved through the combination of a Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing limited-slip differential and innovative RevoKnuckle front-suspension system.

These features are complemented by a wider track, enhanced drive-shafts and rear anti-roll bar, revised springs and dampers and retuned steering, while a specially developed version of Ford’s Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Traction Assist (TA) provides added assurance.

Uprated disc brakes – 336mm ventilated front and 300mm rear – combine with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) to supply a reassuringly high degree of stopping power.

Taking its place as the top-of-the-range Focus, the RS will be immediately distinguishable on the road, with its unique bonnet, front bumper and side skirts. Also unique to the model are its 19-inch alloy wheels, shod with 235/35 tyres.

The rear twin-bladed spoiler - the continuation of an RS tradition – and the power/heated door mirrors are also distinctive, with their high-gloss black finish.

Xenon headlights with automatic levelling and jet-wash are provided, with LED lights at the rear. Dual chrome tailpipes add a further sporting dash.

A Quickclear heated windscreen is fitted, and privacy glass for the rear. A Ford Easy Fill fuelling system removes any risk of costly mis-fuelling errors at the pump.

The driver and front passenger benefit from unique Recaro sports seats, with side bolsters trimmed to match the colour of the car – green for Ultimate Green models, blue for those finished in Performance Blue or Frozen White. Rear passengers are comfortably accommodated in a sculpted Recaro-style seat.

A manual air-conditioning system is provided, and in-car entertainment in the form of a Sony radio and six-disc CD player with DAB. A Ford Power button allows for keyless engine ignition, and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm is standard.

A £750 Luxury Pack includes the options of Dual-Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (DEATC) air-conditioning; automatic headlights; rain-sensor wipers; auto-dim rear-view mirror; rear parking-distance sensors; tyre deflation-detection; and a Ford Key-Free system. The £1,500 version of the Luxury Pack adds in a Touchscreen DVD Navigation System, with seven-inch touch-screen.

Other optional extras include partially leather-trimmed seats at £500 and, for £200, Bluetooth® hands-free phone connectivity and USB port. Specifying a metallic version of the Performance Blue paintwork costs £395, while a Tri-Coat Metallic Ultimate Green finish carries a £695 price tag.

The standard price of the flagship Focus RS compares with £20,408 for the ST3, the existing top-of-the-range Focus.

[Source: Ford]

Based on the Focus ST, the RS is made the red-headed step child of the range by adding an aggressive body kit, more power and better handling. Powered by a modified Duratec 2.5-liter 5-cylinder featuring 300PS and over 410Nm of torque, the 2010 Ford Focus RS should give a 0-60 time of 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 164 mph. Modifications to the standard motor include unique camshafts, a revised cylinder head and intake manifold.

Along with the boost in power, the 2010 Focus RS will ride on a 40mm wider track on 19-in wheels/tires with upgraded springs, dampers and anti-roll bars. A Quaife automatic torque biasing limited-slip differential will work with Ford’s new ‘RevoKnuckle’ suspension system which will act to prevent torque steer under hard acceleration.

[via IMotorMag]

PRESS RELEASE: NEW FORD FOCUS RS: A LEGEND RETURNS

• London Motor Show preview for exciting new Ford Focus RS
• Genuine RS performance with 300PS
• Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing limited-slip differential and innovative 'RevoKnuckle', for assured handling and traction
• Expressive design exudes high performance intent

BRENTWOOD, July 4, 2008 - The legendary Ford RS performance car brand is returning in the shape of the exciting new Ford Focus RS, which will be previewed on July 22 at the 2008 London International Motor Show.

The new Focus RS will go on sale in early 2009 and is being created by a small team of dedicated engineers, under the direction of Jost Capito, Ford of Europe's Vehicle Line Director for Performance Vehicles.

For performance road car enthusiasts, the new model will mark a welcome return for the Ford RS badge. This will be the second Focus model to carry the RS mantle and promises another exciting chapter in an exciting 40-year story that began in Germany in the late 1960s and gained momentum across Europe with the launch of the 1970 Escort RS1600.

Capito said: "We want the new Focus RS to be a serious high performance car - as much a car for driving enthusiasts as the one before it and classic Ford RS models of the past. We're staying true to the core RS principles of an exciting, yet affordable performance road car you can live with every day."

Authentic RS presence and style

Before it even turns a wheel, the new Focus RS exudes the presence, sporty style and lowered, 'meaner' appearance expected of a genuine Ford RS. Overt performance styling details mix with subtle revisions to create a planted, powerful stance and the promise of an exciting drive.

The London show car previews the design intent for a final production vehicle, though as development work continues, some final details may change before volume production begins.

The vehicle is finished in a special bright green paint with inlaid metallic flake, a striking, modern interpretation of the 1970s Le Mans Green of the Escort RS1600 era.

The vibrant exterior color is contrasted with a number of performance styling details highlighted in gloss 'piano black', including the strip at the leading edge of the bonnet, the deep housings for the integrated front fog lamps and door mirrors with integrated side indicators.

Front and rear quarter panels have been revised to incorporate wider wheel arches and a wider track, complemented by revised, deeper side rocker moldings. In another visual reminder of the car's performance potential, triangular, RS-badged vents sit behind the front wheel arches. Two classic-style bonnet louvers are both a styling hint at the power beneath and a practical requirement, maintaining correct system temperatures.

The completely new front bumper design for Focus RS incorporates a deep front airdam with a large, mesh lower grille in an extended trapezoid. Stylish and practical, this prominent feature represents the latest Ford 'kinetic design' face and also is finished in piano black. Above, chromed xenon headlamps stand out like cat's eyes and are framed by matte-black housings with unique additional vents running underneath.

At the rear, a deep new rear bumper incorporates a large venturi tunnel to its lower edge with small vents at each corner of the bumper, emphasizing the car's width. Two impressive chromed exhaust tailpipes sit each side of the black venturi, creating a purposeful rear view for the car.

Above, a unique, twin-element, black RS rear spoiler sits at the Focus RS' roof line, echoing both RS models of the past and the World Rally-winning Focus WRC that has been its inspiration.

"We believe it's vitally important that a Focus RS looks like both a Focus and an RS - it needs to be individual, distinctive and overt in its performance styling, but it also needs to show a clear progression from and relationship to Focus ST", said Stefan Lamm, Chief Exterior Designer, Ford of Europe.

High performance interior

Inside, this theme continues with a unique and appropriately performance-oriented interior, dominated by bespoke, sculpted Recaro high-performance sports seats, specially designed and trimmed for excellent support, even when driving enthusiastically. Each is color-matched to the exterior, with ebony leather accents and 'RS' and 'Recaro' logos stitched into each backrest.

Elsewhere, color brings new excitement to the Focus interior, building on the sporty interior theme of Focus ST with more use of accents matched to the exterior color, brushed aluminum highlights and overt performance styling. Even the rear seats feature higher side bolsters and a microfiber finish to echo those up front.

The center console is finished in a stylish gloss, carbon-look trim and metallic highlights abound, from air vents, door grab handles, switchgear and gearshift surround, to unique RS-branded scuff plates on the door sills. These highlights contrast with a black-trimmed roof lining, emphasizing the sporty, cockpit feel.

The driver is reminded this is a special Focus at every touch, with a gear lever finished with a six speed gear shift graphic in RS blue, a sporty, three-spoke steering wheel, finished with 'Ford' and 'RS' logos and even aluminum foot pedals. The performance driving environment is completed by three additional gauges from the Focus ST, including turbo pressure, sitting atop the center console and angled toward the driver's eye line.

Powerful RS heart

At the heart of the all-new Focus RS is a specially developed, turbocharged version of the Duratec 2.5-litre 5-cylinder engine. Significantly revised for high performance, this powerplant is targeting an impressive power output of 300PS and over 410Nm of torque, contributing to an excellent power-to-weight ratio.

Such significant increases are not simply the result of altering engine management or boost pressure: starting with the Duratec 2.5-litre block, Ford RS engineers developed unique camshafts, a revised cylinder head and gasket and revised intake and exhaust manifold system for the car.

Although the car is still in development, prior to its launch in early 2009, early performance testing indicates a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) time of under six seconds.

A traction 'Revo'-lution

Throughout Focus RS' development, Capito and his team have been keeping a sharp focus on creating a car that delivers excellent performance and traction.

Various innovations, developed as a result of customer feedback from previous performance Fords, have allowed engineers to keep the new Focus RS as front-wheel drive, with a limited-slip differential, while still achieving demanding targets for traction, handling and steering.

The new Ford Focus RS is equipped with an innovative front suspension system known as a 'RevoKnuckle', which is designed to reduce unwanted steering disturbance and torque steer, the impact of torque on steering in front-wheel driven vehicles. Torque steer occurs during hard acceleration, cornering or driving on uneven surfaces, when torque on the driven wheels exceeds grips levels. It is characterized by sudden turning force on the steering wheel and can be exacerbated by vehicles with wide tires and limited-slip differentials.

In Focus RS, the RevoKnuckle works in conjunction with a Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing limited-slip differential. Ford Team RS engineers have worked closely with Ford's Advanced Research Center in Aachen, Germany to develop the RevoKnuckle technology specifically for the high performance Focus RS. It allows the simplicity of a traditional McPherson strut arrangement, but with geometry settings that minimize steering disturbances and torque steer, principally a reduction in steering offset.

"The Ford Focus is an excellent base for a high performance car - agile, responsive and stable," explained Capito. "We studied at length how best to enhance these qualities for a high performance model. Our work has shown clearly that our approach in combining a tuned RevoKnuckle with the Quaife differential is an ideal solution for a high performance front-wheel-drive road car like Focus RS.

"As you would expect, we gave all-wheel-drive careful consideration, but by combining and tuning these elements and learning from Ford's expertise in industry-leading handling, we have managed to eliminate the weight of AWD from the car and still have been able to target a class-leading balance of traction, handling and performance.

"The result is a lightweight set-up, that will deliver the right blend of traction and razor sharp controllability - in a way no one would have expected from front-wheel-drive, and we believe we have made the right choice," Capito concluded.

Dynamic, agile and responsive

A genuine Focus RS must maintain and enhance the reputation for responsive, precise handling for which Focus is acclaimed and considerable engineering effort has ensured that the new Focus RS will do just that.

Driving quality developments for Focus RS include a 40mm wider track, stronger, longer drive shafts, revised springs and dampers and a thicker, longer rear anti-roll bar. At the same time, the steering system has been retuned to provide an even sharper steering response and very precise feedback.

Brakes also have been uprated, with 336mm ventilated front discs and 300mm rear discs generating vice-like stopping power on road or track. Large calipers peek out from behind unique 19-inch wheels, wrapped in 235/35 low profile Continental tyres.

A special version of Ford's ESP system has also been developed for Focus RS, designed to allow a very sporty driving style before activating. Intensive work to refine the natural handling abilities of the car has allowed the ESP system to carry a full de-activation option for enthusiast drivers and especially for track use.

"We are refining all the handling characteristics of Focus RS without ESP, to hone its natural responses, rather than use ESP to help its handling. In Focus RS, ESP is a pure safety device", explained Capito.

Reliable and durable

In creating the new Focus RS, Ford's Team RS engineers have had to meet the same stringent targets for durability and reliability as those set for the rest of the Focus range.

Despite its many bespoke engineering and styling elements, Focus RS will be built entirely on the main Focus production line in Saarlouis, Germany and offered with a standard Ford of Europe warranty.

A great heritage

The new Focus RS represents a significant moment in the heritage of both the Focus and Ford RS brands.

It is 10 years since the Ford Focus was first revealed to the world at the Geneva Motor Show in 1998, paving the way for a range of Ford vehicles whose exciting design was matched by class-leading driving quality. Since this time, more than 5.3 million Ford Focus models have been built in Europe, including Russia, with the car also built and sold in North America and Asia.

At the same time, the new Focus RS marks the return of the famous but rare Ford RS badge, last seen on the first-generation Focus RS in 2002 and with a distinguished heritage stretching back 38 years including Fiesta, Escort and Sierra models.

"RS is uniquely important to us in terms of our performance heritage and World Rally Championship success, while the Focus has played a major part in establishing Ford's excellent reputation for driving dynamics," said John Fleming, Ford of Europe President and CEO. "The all-new Focus RS will embrace and celebrate both of these - it will be a genuine RS and a genuine Focus and I'm confident it won't disappoint in either area."

Moving beyond the interesting choice of color, the body has been seriously tweaked with a gigantic intake, meaner-looking headlights, vents everywhere and widely flared fenders. The newest RS will sit even lower than the ST, with only the 19-inch wheels keeping it from scraping bottom. The interior matches the exterior, with two-tone Recaro seats and a host of gauges specific to the RS. An awesome bit of product planning and design, eh? We're pretty sure that covers two of the five reasons we're not proud of American cars. Want to bring it over here Ford and maybe fix that? [Autoweek via AutoBlog Spanish via AutoBlog]

NEW FORD FOCUS RS ON TRACK AS FIRST DETAILS CONFIRMED

Cologne, June 12, 2008 - Ford RS is back and the all-new Focus RS is on track! An early prototype of the fastest Focus road car to date is now undergoing performance and durability testing at the challenging Nürburgring Circuit in Germany, in preparation for its launch in 2009.

The principal architect of the Focus RS project is Ford of Europe's Vehicle Line Director for Performance Vehicles, Jost Capito, whose Team RS development group were responsible for the first generation Focus RS in 2002, and more recently, the Fiesta ST and the new Focus ST.

Capito said: "The new Focus RS is as much a car for driving enthusiasts as the one before it and classic Ford RS models of the past. We're staying true to the core RS principles of a no-compromise, affordable high performance road car you can live with. The new Focus RS will have the muscles, heart and soul of a genuine RS and will be exciting to drive every day."

The all-new Focus RS features a specially developed, turbocharged version of the Duratec 2.5-litre engine, based on Focus ST, but significantly revised to generate over 280PS and more than 400 Nm of torque, thus achieving an excellent power-to-weight ratio.

Various chassis innovations, developed in conjunction with Ford's Advanced Engineering Centre in Aachen are being tuned for the new car by the Cologne-based Ford Team RS. Their overriding objective is to achieve optimized driving dynamics and on road performance through an advanced technology front-wheel drive system, combined with a limited-slip differential.

"In early prototypes based on Focus ST vehicles, the new system is more than meeting our targets for exceptional levels of traction, handling and steering," Capito added. "Given that the enthusiastic team behind the car are all performance vehicle enthusiasts, you can imagine that our standards are high."

Ford Focus - A great starting point

The standard Ford Focus is an excellent base for a high performance car - agile, responsive and stable.

While the latest Focus ST has already proved this to be the case, the new RS will take these qualities to the next level, benefitting from extensive engineering knowledge gained through the Company's highly successful Motorsport programmes, notably with the Focus World Rally Car.

"We have no doubt that we can enhance the acclaimed qualities of the already excellent Focus for an even higher performance model than the ST," Capito added. "Now, we are going through the rigorous job of proving out our technical approach in extensive testing and tuning over a variety of roads including the most demanding track in the world, the "Green Hell" that is the Nürburgring Nordschleife!"

"With two consecutive Manufacturers' World Rally Championship titles and the success of Fiesta and Focus ST models, we have the knowledge and the experience. The time is right for Ford to deliver a new high performance model for the legions of loyal Ford RS customers around Europe," Capito concluded.

The new Focus RS test and development programme is now well underway and will continue for several months, prior to the vehicle being readied for production in early 2009.

Although the internet and car magazines around the globe have continued to offer their opinions as to how the new car will look and drive, customers will get the first look at a production-intent vehicle with its world premiere at the London Motor Show in late July.

Further technical details of the all-new Focus RS will be released closer to launch.

Go ahead and gloat, you damn Europeans. While we're driving past our Ford dealerships, seeing the same, tired Focus — many of whose parts are contemporary of the Reagan administration — you and your football hooligans are getting a range of Evo-fighting Foci that sport 300 horsepower and (rumor has it) all-wheel-drive. It's the next-gen Focus RS, which traces its bloodline from the rally-tested Escort RS Cosworth, and it's coming in late 2007 or thereabouts. Just try to refrain from leaving burnouts all over Lichtenstein. They hate that. – Mike Spinelli

SPY PHOTOS: Ford Focus RS [World Car Fans]

Related:
Spy Photos: Ford Focus Coupe Cabriolet [internal]