Ford’s RS badge represents a real power to the people initiative. Taking an everyday model and giving it some extra punch creates a performance car that mere mortals can actually afford.
The Focus RS is the latest nameplate to wear those fabled letters. Here is everything you need to know.
RS
Ever wondered what RS actually stands for? Rallye Sport is the answer.
The first road car to wear the RS badge was the Mk1 Escort 1600. Rally prepared Escorts saw plenty of success around the world and the Blue Oval wanted a way to take advantage of its high profile victories.
Between 1970 and the launch of the latest RS in 2015, over 20 RS models have since hit the road.
Mk1
This car represents the genesis of the Ford Focus and the RS moniker. Lower, wider, more powerful. It has all of the hallmarks of an RS.
Power came from a turbocharged 2-litre engine producing 212bhp. That might seem paltry by today’s standard, but back in 2002 that was a headline figure for hot hatchbacks. The 0-62mph run was dispatched in 5.9 seconds and left to its own devices the car would manage 143mph.
The most controversial part of the original Focus RS was how it put its power down. Previous fast Fords, such as the Sierra and Escort Cosworth, sent power to all four wheels. However, the Mk1 Focus RS was front-wheel drive — sacrilege!
Interestingly, Ford actually lost money on every one of the 4,501 cars sold.
Mk2
The second-generation Focus RS was a wild child. One of the most menacing-looking hot hatches of all time, it didn’t much care for what you thought of it. Its combination of flared arches and Ultimate Green paint certainly turned heads.
Under the bonnet was a five-cylinder 2.5-litre turbocharged engine with 301bhp. The car's 0-62 time was just faster than before, at 5.7 seconds, but top speed dramatically increased to 163mph.
This RS was still front-wheel drive and many thought that running so much power through the forward tyres could only end badly. But clever Ford engineers developed something called the RevoKnuckle – this suspension system was a variation on a traditional MacPherson setup that separated the steering and suspension actions to reduce torque steer, keeping the car in check. It worked…sort of.
Mk3
The buzz car of 2015, Ford gave the people what they wanted with this all-wheel-drive Ford Focus RS.
The engine might be smaller than its predecessor's at 2.3 litres vs 2.5, but power surged to 345bhp. In combination with the improved traction from the all-wheel drive this RS gets from stationary to 62mph in 4.5 seconds. Top speed? 165mph.
Famed motorsport hooligan Ken Block had a hand in the car’s new Drift Mode. This setting allows the driver to have some sideways fun while the electronics dial out the danger — tyres RIP.
Black Beauty
The Ford Focus RS500 was a limited edition run-out model for the Mk2 RS.
Numbering 500 in total, 101 of these rare cars came to the UK in 2011. Power was boosted from 301bhp to a Mk3-rivalling 345bhp.
There was so much anticipation for this matt-black monster that someone hacked the official 'teaser’ site and leaked images before its reveal.
This created mayhem as people began walking into dealers to place down deposits on a car that officially didn’t exist. When order books did open it took just 12 hours for all 500 examples to be claimed.
There is speculation that the current Mk3 car will also receive an RS500 edition.
Money Maker
RS cars have always held their value and the Focus is no different.
Currently high mileage Mk1 cars are changing hands for over £10k, or a mint example is closer to £20,000. Lower mileage second-generation Focus RSs are about £25,000, but the latest Mk3 model is selling for around the same price as it goes for brand new.
An old Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth recently sold for £115,000 at auction, suggesting that the Focus RS might also become a collector's item in the future.
Gallery: Ford Focus RS History
