Ford has a rich history of performance cars, ranging from legends like the GT40 that won Le Mans to the 1-liter EcoBoost racers of today. The RS line entered production in 1968, however, it wasn't until the Mk2 Focus got the badge and a 2.5-liter turbo engine that it became famous. 2015 is a very special year because a successor is finally ready, the all-new Focus RS with its 2.3-liter turbo and all-wheel drive.
Times have changed and today smartphone apps, piloted drones and Monster Energy are more relevant. But the Focus RS stands for controlled hooliganism and every petrolhead loves that. In Geneva, we finally managed to get up close and personal with the 2015 model year Focus RS. It's gaping grille and huge exhaust pipes indicate that this is a force to be reckoned with.
What's under the bonnet is just as impressive, a new 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine shared with the 2015 Mustang. Ford hasn't released any precise specifications yet, but we should expect over 320 horsepower to come poring out from behind that black hexagonal grille. To cope with all that grunt, an all-wheel drive system has been installed which can send up to 70% of the torque to the rear wheels.
The car shown at the Geneva Motor Show is painted in the shade of Liquid Blue as the new GT concept they showed in Detroit. It's a very nice, deep shade, but we're still hoping acid green can make a comeback. There are quite a few nice cosmetic touches on this new RS, like the badged trunk wing, Recaro bucket seats and massive 21-inch wheels with sticky tires. Ford told us that Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber will be standard, but extra-sticky Pilot Sport Cup will be available on request.
The biggest surprise is that a traditional six-speed manual has been used in the detriment of a twin-clutch system. It might no claim to be as fast as the RS3, but we think the Focus RS will set your petrolhead soul ablaze on the track and in the shopping mall car park.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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