Ford Focus RS gets driving debut by 'Flying Finn' Marcus Grönholm in Wales

Move over Focus ST, here comes the Ford Focus RS...again.

Yes, the RS badge is back on the Focus after a 6 year hiatus. And Ford has found just the right event at which to debut the new RS - at the WRC Wales Rally GB.

The RS badge, of course, was born from rally racing (it stands for Rallye Sport) and Ford has chosen former WRC Champion Marcus Grönholm, who began his career in rally racing back in 1987 with a Ford Escort, to introduce the car to the public at the last race of the WRC season.

The production Focus RS will feature the same 2.5 liter, 5 cylinder Duratec turbocharged engine currently found in the Focus ST. But this new variant will be pumping out 300 horses, compared to the ST's 225. Peak torque will also be a substantial 440 Nm. Ford has achieved those numbers by tweaking the 2.5 liter power plant with new a cylinder head and gasket, special camshafts and a new intake and manifold system (and likely a little chip tuning, although Ford doesn't mention that). 0 to 100 km/h comes in at under 6 seconds and top speed is 161 mph, or 260 km/h.

But, alas, the Focus RS remains front-wheel drive. The Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing limited-slip differential and something called a RevoKnuckle front-suspension system are supposed to make up for that and control all that power coming through the front axle. But one has the right to be skeptical here. The last RS was a success at this dilemma, but that was only 215 hp spinning the front wheels.

The RS will come with all the expected colors of Ford tradition. Performance Blue, echoing the blue oval logo, will be the mainstay of the RS. It will also be available in Ultimate Green and Frozen White. No ST-style orange, though, perhaps to keep that model distinct from the RS.

At 300 hp this may be Ford's most powerful production car in Europe, but let's hope its not too much for a front-wheel drive Focus to handle.

Press Release

Spectators at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium for the final stage of the second leg of Wales Rally GB in December will be treated to a world-first spectacle - the driving debut of Ford's fastest-ever European production car, the new Focus RS.

Behind the wheel of the Performance Blue machine will be a man well qualified to appreciate the Focus RS's awe-inspiring capabilities - 'Flying Finn' Marcus Grönholm, former double World Rally Champion and ex-Ford WRC driver. But this time he won't be in competition.

The much-anticipated Focus RS, which goes on sale early in Spring next year, will take pride of place at the stadium in a cavalcade of heritage Rallye Sport (RS) cars stretching back nearly 40 years.

The new car is powered by a turbocharged Duratec 2.5-litre, five-cylinder engine. With its unique camshafts, revised cylinder head and gasket, intake and manifold system, the unit is designed to deliver 300PS and 440Nm peak torque.

Combined with a six-speed transmission, this translates to 0-62mph acceleration in under six seconds and a targeted top speed of 161mph. Yet the designers have succeeded in combining high performance with a car that is eminently practical for everyday use.


The combination of Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing limited-slip differential and innovative RevoKnuckle front-suspension system allows a class-leading balance of traction, handling and performance to be derived from front- as opposed to all-wheel drive, with consequent power-to-weight advantages.

A wider track, enhanced drive-shafts and rear anti-roll bar, revised springs and dampers, retuned steering and uprated brakes all contribute to outstanding sports handling. A specially developed version of Ford's ESP system provides added safety.

The metallic Performance Blue of the car Marcus Grönholm will drive reflects the livery of Ford's World Rally Championship Focus cars, though the RS will also be available in 'Ultimate Green' and Frozen White.

Similarly, the black twin-blade rear spoiler echoes both RS models of the past and the World Rally-winning Focus RS WRC that inspired the latest version.

The RS badge was last seen on the first-generation Focus RS in 2002. Over 38 years it has also graced Fiesta, Escort and Sierra models, as a Cardiff RS cavalcade will reflect.

The Cardiff stage of Wales Rally GB, the last round of the FIA World Rally Championship, takes place on 6 December. It looks set to attract big crowds, keen to see the much-anticipated Ford v Citroen battle at close quarters.

Until this year, Marcus Grönholm would have been a competitor. The 40-year-old driver started his rallying career in a Ford Escort in 1987, going on to win 30 world rally victories, and becoming World Champion in 2000 and 2002.

In 2006 and 2007 he drove the Ford Focus RS WRC and helped secure two world manufacturer titles for Ford before retiring from full-time competition.