Auto Trends

2009 Ford Focus RS, originally uploaded by mrZEE32

We haven’t seen the likes of a Ford Focus hatchback in quite a few years. Disappointingly, the newer Focus models have lost some of the sporty pizazz they once had. There has been no SVT Focus or Roush models set loose to help put some zip back into its name. But wait, there does happen to be a rather beastly version of the Focus out there. Problem is… it is out there, and not here in the US where we could get our mitts on it. So why would I speak so highly of an economy class vehicle, such as the Ford Focus? Well, let me lay it down for you like this…

It is called the 2009 Ford Focus RS (Rallye Sport), it is built in Germany, and it makes the Mazdaspeed 3 and Volkswagen GTI look like crackerjack toys. Now, before we go any further, you should know that this is no pipe dream to imagine the RS actually coming to American soil. Ford is actually seriously considering bringing it into their lineup in the next two to three years. So what makes the RS so special?

To begin with, the RS has been German engineered to feature a revised suspension which eliminates nearly all traces of torque steer, quite common in front wheel drive performance vehicles. The engine itself is a rather elegant 2.5 liter, 20-valve, inline 5-cylinder pumped up with an intercooled K16 turbocharger. This engine combo is able to achieve around 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft or torque. The power is then put to the ground through a strengthened 6-speed manual transmission (your only option).

From a standing start, the Focus RS is able to pull itself to 60 mph in a respectable 5.4 seconds, launch itself through the quarter mile in 13.8 seconds, and hit a top speed of around 163 mph. With all this newly induced performance you can’t quite expect the RS to follow up with a 35 mpg rating. No, the 2.5 liter turbo can only muster around 18 City and 23 highway. Not exactly what would be called economical, but the Ford Focus RS is anything but a designated daily driver.

The 223 horsepower Focus ST would be much more suited for daily trips to and from work, considering its got somewhere between 2 and 3 extra mpg to offer, but to be honest, the Ford RS is no less smooth in low speed maneuvering as any other base model Focus hatchback. While you might expect to pay offer $30 grand for such a performance mock-up, it is believed that the U.S. version would cost no more than around $28,000 for the consumer. That is about $6,000 less than the models being offered in Europe at the moment.

Looks great, peels out straight, but whether or not the U.S. is in its fate… we can only debate!