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Ford Focus RS (2009) first ride: CAR's assistant editor Ben Barry hitched a lift in this white Focus RS with Jost Capito

Statistics

How much?	£24,995
On sale in the UK:	March 2009
Engine:	2522cc 5cyl turbo, 301bhp, 325lb ft @ 2600rpm
Transmission:	Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Performance:	'Sub-6.0sec' 0-62mph, 163mph
How heavy / made of?	Approx 1400kg
How big (length/width/height in mm)?	Tbc

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Handling

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Usability

Feelgood factor

Readers' rating

3.5

Ford Focus RS (2009) first ride

By Ben Barry

First Drives

09 January 2009 00:01

CAR has been lucky enough to bag the first passenger ride in the new 2009 Ford Focus RS with Jost Capito, the man responsible for Ford Europe’s fastest-ever production car. We experienced the car at high speeds in an ideal mix of typically British conditions – dry, damp, even icy – to analyse how a front-wheel drive car with 301bhp and 325lb ft torque copes on tricky B-roads and smoother A-roads.

We’re all ears. How does the new 2009 Ford Focus RS feel on the road?

Fast. The RS uses the same 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo engine as the regular Focus ST – making it the first ever Escort or Focus RS to use anything other than a four-pot – but it’s reworked with a larger turbo and intercooler, new pistons, cams and a revised ECU. What’s most impressive is the tractability of the new RS's engine, despite the larger – and what could prove to be a slower spooling and laggier – turbo. The RS pulls robustly from 1200rpm in sixth, and actually starts to feel rapid from 2000rpm. Not scary fast, but you’re very aware that the RS is very quick even at these modest rpms.

It’s a linear, progressive unit too, that’s starkly in contrast to the nothing-boost-nothing characteristics of a Mitsubishi Evo X. The hot Focus's power simply flows from almost idle speed to the 7000rpm redline – the same limit as the more modest ST, though the RS does allow an extra 200rpm for very brief periods of time.

Aurally, the new Focus RS also provides a very different experience to the ST. The cheaper ST has a very pronounced, Ur Quattro-esque warble from its Volvo-sourced five-pot. And while that’s still audible in the RS (particularly from 3000-4000rpm), the soundtrack this time is dominated by the louder exhaust and a surprisingly loud dump valve tisssssh. Not to everyone’s taste, but Capito’s logic with the RS is robust. ‘This is not a better ST,’ he says with a smile. ‘This is the RS. It’s a completely different car. Customers who like the ST may not like the RS, and vice versa.’

>> Click 'Next' below to read more about CAR's first ride in the Ford Focus RS

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-Joe- says

RE: Ford Focus RS (2009) first ride

Yeah but you Americans get the Focus Coupe and I quote, 'with its European inspired suspension.' Makes me feel feel proud, and it also means they've found Wales or the Wolds(part of Lincolnshire-a countyside type of place info for you Americans). It also does an amazing 35 miles of fun per gallon(also quoting)!!!!!!!! did I mention it only has 136BHP, I bet the BMW Diesal enginers are really scared about it then rivaling their amazing enigines.

10 January 2009 09:43

buffalohead19 says

RE: Ford Focus RS (2009) first ride

I couldn't agree more, nickinutah. Will they ever offer this car to the US market?

10 January 2009 02:19

nickinutah says

RE: Ford Focus RS (2009) first ride

We have some rubbish Ford products over here in the States. I can only imagine how much better they'd do if they sold an arsenal of their European cars here. If this car was available, it would be the first time I have ever considered owning a Ford.

10 January 2009 00:04

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JohnnyBimmer says

RE: Ford Focus RS (2009) first ride

Now that Subaru have turned their Scooby Snack into a bag of nuts (ie. ugly as sin) and Mitsubushi have gone all 'family man' with their Evo our Kevs can breath a sigh of relief Fords come up with the answer. This RS certainly looks funky inside and out and the performance figures are bang on the button too for A and B road blasts. As JoeDodgy points out though you might need a sex change op' to afford the insurance!!

09 January 2009 17:52

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gmoney says

RE: Ford Focus RS (2009) first ride

ChrisWP - I'd of thought it unlikely they'd have a testing programme (there) but you never know... Your spot on about the Mendips though, I've been fortunate enough to have these roads as my playground for the last 20 yrs being local and know exactly the road you speak of... ;)

09 January 2009 16:10

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