Well here it is...at last!! I have to say, they pulled that 4WD system out of the bag and I didn't see it coming if I'm honest!!
The new Ford Focus RS hot hatch has been revealed. It is a rival to the likes of the Audi S3, Mercedes A45 AMG and VW Golf R.
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The Focus RS will be powered by a turbocharged 2.3-litre engine producing "more than 316bhp", and that it will put this power down through a variable all-wheel-drive system.
What is RS?
The Focus RS is the hottest version of the standard car, and a further step up in performance from the Ford Focus ST.
Ford reserves the RS badge for its most extreme models; the new Focus RS is the 30th Ford to be badged RS since the Ford 15M RS launched the high-performance series in 1968. There have been two Focus RS models in the past, both of which have been ranked among the finest hot hatches of their time.
New Ford Focus RS four-wheel drive
The new Focus RS is especially notable for having four-wheel drive. The previous-generation cars put their power through their front wheels only, but under extreme acceleration this could make them hard to drive.
Ford says its so-called All-Wheel-Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring system gives the Focus RS "class-leading corner speed, limit handling and a unique drift capability".
The system uses two electronically controlled clutch packs that are located on each side of a rear-drive unit, which operates like a limited slip differential to move power to the wheel where it is most useful. The rear-drive unit monitors conditions 100 times per second to split power between the front and back wheels, and on either side of the rear axle.
The system also diverts torque to the outer rear wheel during cornering, aiding turn-in and stability. Ford says the system helps "provide neutral and adjustable limit handling, and the ability to achieve controlled oversteer drifts at the track."
New Ford Focus RS engine
The Focus Rs’s four-cylinder 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine is an uprated version of the unit available in the new Ford Mustang.
Ford has only confirmed it produces "more than 316bhp" and has "more" torque than the Mustang’s 320lb ft.
As well as being modified to produce more power and torque, the engine and its ancillary systems have also been upgraded for enhanced reliability at high-temperature running, and to boost cooling capacity.
The engine is also linked to a performance exhaust, which Ford says is tuned to "deliver a rewarding and sporty sound character during spirited driving, with the distinctive burbles, pops and crackles that are an RS signature."
It will only be available with a six-speed manual gearbox.
New Ford Focus RS chassis
The Focus RS’s chassis is significantly upgraded, even from the Focus ST, in order to give it a harder performance edge.
Changes include the use of stiffer spring rates, bushes and anti-roll bars, and two-mode dampers that can be switched between road and track settings. The electric power-assisted steering system has also been retuned to deliver what Ford describes as "connected and responsive steering with outstanding feel".
Emphasising the track capabilities of the new Focus RS, it will be available with a specially developed semi-slick tyre for the first time.
New Ford Focus RS interior and exterior
The Focus RS interior gets several upgrades to match its exaggerated exterior appearance.
Highlights include Recaro sports seats, a flat-bottomed, leather-clad steering wheel, alloy pedals and a simpler dash layout than on standard cars.
This includes a standard 8.0in colour touchscreen and Ford’s Sync2 connectivity system, as found on the standard high-spec Ford Focus.
Buyers can choose from four colours: Nitrous Blue, Stealth Grey, Absolute Black or Frozen White. Intriguingly, the launch car pictured here is painted in what Ford calls Liquid Blue, which it says is "currently only a show colour", suggesting it may become available as a cost option.
When is the Ford Focus RS on sale?
Although no details have been confirmed, the new Focus RS is expected to go on sale in spring 2016.
What will the Ford Focus RS cost?
Early estimates suggest the Focus RS will cost from just under £30,000. That means it is likely to undercut all of its opposition.
Pricing for the Ford Focus RS is helped by the fact that, for the first time, the car will be sold in all global markets, including the USA and China. Ford hopes that wider demand will allow it to achieve greater economies of scale than ever before.
Can I get a Focus RS discount?
Ford Focus RS models are traditionally highly sought-after, meaning discounts are hard to come by.
However, after the initial demand from enthusiasts has been catered for, it is possible dealers will become more open to haggling, especially in light of the roughly £2000 discounts being offered on rivals including the VW Golf GTI and VW Golf R.
We’d expect similar savings to be possible on the Ford around six months after launch.