WCF reader spots Ford Focus RS in Detroit

WCF Community member 6spdaudi has posted this picture of the Ford Focus RS.

One year after a white RS tester unit was spotted in Michigan, we have another Ultimate Green unit recently spotted around the Metro Detroit area. Although the clock is ticking, its appearance leads one to believe that Ford is still contemplating whether to bring the model to North America.

Previously statements were made by Jost Capito, the head of Ford's global performance division, that it is too expensive to homologate the RS for the North American market.  However, the latest reports firmly place the next generation 2012 Focus, which launches in the U.S. in May 2011, as the host of ST and RS models under the SVT badge.

The Focus RS is the most powerful example in the history of the model. It is powered by a 2.5-litre Duratec turbo engine making out 221 kW (296 bhp/ 300 PS) and 440 Nm of torque. The 6-speed manual gearbox sends all power to the front wheels, while traction is assisted by the limited slip differential. A sprint time of 5.9 seconds is claimed for the 0 - 100km/h dash.