Following the merger of Ford's North American Special Vehicle Team (SVT), the European TeamRS and the Australian FPV divisions to the development of Ford's global performance vehicles, Ford's Advanced Product Creation and Performance Vehicles director Hermann Salenbauch announced that the decision to sell Ford Focus RS/SVT to North America depended on feedback from the media and customers. However, the product would only appear 2 years after the release of the third generation Focus models. On 4 August 2011 Ford's global boss for small cars, Gunnar Herrmann, revealed to magazine Drive that the third iteration of the hot-hatch was in the works. The new RS was expected to arrive towards the end of 2015 in Europe and the rest of the world; in North America it will arrive after 2015. On 21 January 2015, Ford released a teaser video previewing the 2015 Ford Focus RS and announced a 3 February 2015 web-streaming reveal event from Cologne, Germany. At the 2015 Geneva Motor Show the production ready MKIII Ford Focus RS was unveiled packing the turbocharged 2.3 L; 138.0 cu in (2,261 cc) EcoBoost engine found in the Mustang with over 320 hp (240 kW). In the Focus RS, the engine itself produces 350 bhp (355 PS; 261 kW) at 6000 rpm and 350 lb⋅ft (475 N⋅m) at 3200 rpm of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via Ford's all-new Torque-Vectoring All-Wheel-Drive system with a rear drive unit designed by GKN, as well as upgraded suspension and brakes. As well as that, the new Focus RS will be fitted with Drive Modes – including an industry-first Drift Mode that allows controlled oversteer drifts – and Launch Control. The RS will boast a model specific aerodynamic package that helps to differentiate it from other Focus models. The RS is capable of accelerating to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.7 seconds. 2018 marked the final model year for the Ford Focus RS. Ford Performance released Final Edition vehicles with a new Quaife mechanical-slip differential. However, there were no upgrades to the power and torque figures from previous model years. The 2018 Focus RS was only available in 2 colors, Race Red and Nitrous Blue. Gloss black roof, spoiler and mirror caps were added to differentiate the Final Edition. Only 1,000 2018 Ford Focus RS were available for U.S drivers and 500 for Canada.
official Ford press release on the Ford Focus RS -
A new era for fast Fords is dawning with the start of production of the new Focus RS performance hatch.
Ford expects to produce 41,000 performance cars for Europe in 2016, up from 29,000 in 2015. This represents an increase of 40 per cent year-over-year, and comes after 2015 sales of performance vehicles in Europe showed a 62 per cent increase compared with 2014.
Among models driving demand are the all-new Focus RS, the first of which has just rolled off the production line in Saarlouis, Germany; the Ford Mustang sports car for which Ford has now taken more than 13,000 orders in Europe; and the Focus ST and Fiesta ST hot hatch models.
With the all-new Ford GT still to come, Ford offers the most comprehensive range of performance models from compact hatchbacks to high‑performance supercars.
“This will be a truly remarkable year for Ford performance cars, with unprecedented performance capability, as well as sophisticated powertrain and chassis technologies including the new Ford Performance All Wheel Drive system for our Focus RS,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe.
Record-breaking RS
The Focus RS is one of 12 new performance vehicles Ford will bring to customers globally through 2020. Developed by a team of Ford Performance engineers in Europe and the U.S., the model is powered by a specially engineered version of Ford’s new 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine delivering maximum power of 350 PS, and will sprint from 0-100 km/h (0‑62 mph) in 4.7 seconds, making the high-performance hatchback the fastest accelerating Ford RS model ever.
The Focus RS pioneers innovative Ford Performance All Wheel Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring for a new level of handling, grip and cornering speed. Selectable Drive Modes – including an industry-first Drift Mode that allows controlled oversteer drifts – and Launch Control feature on the RS model for the first time.
Since order books first opened in September, customers have already placed more than 3,100 orders, and a further 250,000 people have configured a Focus RS on Ford websites.
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