Thread: 2009 Ford Focus RS

R.I.P Mazdaspeed3. Why can't we get this here....

The hot hatch is being unveiled July 22 at the London auto show. Ford released the first official images and details on Monday.

The Focus RS goes on sale in the U.K. and other European markets in early 2009. Created by an elite team of dedicated engineers under the direction of Jost Capito, Ford of Europe's performance vehicles guru, the new model is the latest in a series of sporting Ford compacts in Europe to wear the RS badge.

Says Capito: "We want the new Focus RS to be a serious high-performance car. We're staying true to the core RS principles of an exciting yet affordable performance road car you can live with every day."

What that means is that under the hood you'll find a turbocharged variant of the familiar Duratec 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine fitted with unique camshafts, a revised cylinder head and gasket and a revised intake and manifold system. It's rated at 296 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of torque. Ford claims 0-60-mph acceleration takes less than 6 seconds.

The Focus RS rides on an upgraded suspension system with beefier brakes and low-profile Continental 235/35R19 tires on specific 19-inch wheels. Steering, brakes, springs, shocks and stabilizer bars all have been uprated to handle the extra power and to provide exceptional response to driver inputs. Fitted with a limited-slip differential, the RS edition maintains the front-wheel-drive layout of the Focus.

Ford has wrapped the Focus RS in strikingly modern skin, topped off with a bright green metallic paint scheme with piano-black accents.

The close-to-final-production model that's being shown in London also sports revised bumpers and quarter-panels with wider wheel arches, hood louvers, fender vents, a deep front airdam, a mesh grille, chrome xenon headlamps, chromed exhaust pipes and a twin-element roof spoiler said to be inspired by the Focus WRC that won the World Rally Championship.

Inside, you'll find bespoke sculpted Recaro high-performance sport seats, aluminum pedals, extra gauges and brushed aluminum accents.

Production begins late this year at Ford's Saarlouis complex in Germany.

Maybe cuz rallying isn't as big as it is in Europe?? Stupid emissions law too :thumpdown:

that shit is sweet.