The all-new, third-generation Ford Focus RS debuted at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, which now has a North American debut at the New York International Auto Show, is a serious vehicle with high-performance technology and innovative engineering.
This model is the first ever RS that will be sold in North America and also will be available in major markets around the world.
Exterior
The Ford RS exterior design represented a heavily modified Focus ST and it has been developed to support the dynamic objectives. Designers worked closely with Ford Performance, concentrating on the aerodynamic downforce and balance.
On the new Ford RS is particularly stands out powerful new front end look with a vibrant upper trapezoidal grille above the deep splitter, as well as the extremely big diffuser, at the back, which enhances the air flow from under the vehicle and contains the twin round high-performance exhaust outlets.
Ford RS uses high-performance 235/35 R19 Micheline tires to complement the driving dynamics. There are two options: a standard Pilot Super Sport tire for every-day use and an optional Pilot Sport Cup 2 tire for enhanced vehicle dynamics on the track.
Ford RS will be produced in five colors include Blue Nitrous, as well as Shadow Black, Stealth Grey, Magnetic Grey and Frozen White.
Interior
The new Focus RS interior is replete with racing-like features, starting with the heavily-bolstered Recaro partial-leather sports seats and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. The high-performance character and driver assistance technologies of the RS, is reflected inside the car with as the centerpiece of the cockpit.
The driver can select four different Drive Modes to configure the vehicle to deliver optimum performance in road, such are: Normal, Sport and Track settings or Drift Mode.
To control the audio system, GPS, satellite navigation, climate control system or even smartphones, the driver can use voice commands or an 8-inch touchscreen.
Engine
The Ford Focus RS comes with at least 315 horsepower from a 2.3-liter, twin-scroll with turbocharged four-cylinder, which is now connected to an enlarged intercooler to give much higher and more efficient boost.
With its high-efficiency EcoBoost design featuring direct fuel injection, the engine also delivers significantly improved fuel consumption thanks to Auto-Start-Stop as standard.
For the enthusiast driver, the new RS has the six-speed manual transmission with a shorter gear lever and revised mechanism to deliver faster and more accurate shifts. The new Ford Focus RS acclerates 0 – 60 mph in less than five seconds.
The big news is the torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, which can send up to 70 percent of the drive torque to the rear axle, and 100 percent of that torque can be diverted to one wheel.
“We’re using an all-wheel drive system we believe no one else is,” says Ford Performance director Dave Pericak. “The RDU has a clutch at the front and twin clutches at the back, one on either side of the diff. So we can control the torque front-to-back but also side-to-side. We push the car around the corner, we don’t slow the car down.”
The 2016 Ford Focus RS price and release date
The all-new Focus RS is the first-ever RS model that will be sold globally, including the United States, and produced for all markets at Ford’s Saarlouis, Germany, manufacturing plant.
The Ford Focus RS 2016 is expected to be on sale in early 2016 and the price, although not yet confirmed, should be at around $ 38,000 – $ 43,000 in the US and about € 32.000 – € 36,000 the European Markets.
29.07.2015. Update:
Ford has announced price for 2016 Ford Focus RS, which will total $ 35.730 for US market. This is slightly lower than the rates that we previously announced, but we expect the right information when the car appears on the market in early 2016.
