By Jamie White – Head of Communications
Ford’s impressive all-new Focus RS has made its global debut at the Geneva International Motor Show.
The all-new Ford Focus RS introduces advanced performance technologies, and is the first Ford RS equipped with selectable Drive Modes – including an industry-first Drift Mode – and Launch Control. The high-performance road car also pioneers the innovative Ford Performance All-Wheel-Drive system.
With a 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine delivering in excess of 320PS, the high
-performance road car offers the most powerful Ford RS braking system ever. Its exterior design offers optimised aerodynamics and cooling, with zero lift and nine per cent less drag than the previous Focus RS.
Developed by a small team of Ford Performance engineers in Europe and US, the new Focus RS is the third generation of Focus RS cars, following models launched in 2002 and 2009. It will be the 30th car to wear the legendary RS badge, following the 16-valve 1970 Escort RS1600, the turbocharged Sierra RS Cosworth of 1985, and the four-wheel-drive 1992 Escort RS Cosworth.
Raj Nair, Group Vice President, Global Product Development, Ford Motor Company, said: “The RS line has a proud history of technical breakthroughs that have migrated to mainstream Fords to benefit all of our customers, and the new Focus RS is no exception. It’s a great example of our passion for innovation through performance and creating vehicles that make people’s hearts pound.”
The Focus RS is the latest vehicle to be unveiled as part of a new era of Ford performance that will bring to customers globally more than 12 performance vehicles through 2020.
The all-new Focus RS is the first ever RS model that will be sold in North America and will be produced for all markets at Ford’s Saarlouis, Germany, manufacturing plant beginning late this year.
