The new Ford Focus RS Edition was launched at FordFest at Brentwood, Essex on 14 September 2017. The limited edition hot hatch features a mechanical Quaife limited-slip differential (LSD) and is now available to order from £35,795.
The exclusive Focus RS Edition features unique styling, including signature Nitrous Blue paint with striking black exterior details, a two-tone seat design and carbon-fibre trim. It promises to increase traction and enhance the driving experience for performance enthusiasts.
A Tight Grip On Performance
The Focus RS Edition has been developed by Ford Performance engineers and evaluated at locations across the globe to further improve the high-performance hatchback’s class-leading agility and responsiveness using a Quaife LSD for the front axle.
The mechanical LSD limits the engine torque delivered to a wheel that has reduced traction on the road surface, and redistributes torque to the wheel with more traction to counteract the wheelspin that can hamper acceleration and stability.
By controlling the torque delivered to each front wheel, the Focus RS Edition’s Quaife LSD enables drivers to exploit the 350PS delivered by its 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine in high-performance driving situations even more, and seamlessly integrates with Focus RS driving technologies delivered as standard, including:
- Ford Performance All Wheel Drive, which varies the front-to-rear torque distribution to suit the current driving conditions – monitoring inputs from vehicle sensors 100 times per second and sending a maximum of 70 per cent of the drive torque to the rear axle
- Dynamic Torque Vectoring – which uses electronically-controlled clutch packs on the rear axle to send up to 100 per cent of the available torque to either rear wheel, and can switch drive from one side to the other in as little as 0.06sec
- Torque Vectoring Control (TVC) – which balances engine torque between the front wheels to suit the road surface
“Our new Focus RS Edition represents accessible performance at its finest,” explained Leo Roeks, Ford Performance Director, Europe. “Improving on the class-leading driving dynamics of the Focus RS was no small task – but our Ford Performance engineers have delivered a drivetrain capable of wringing every drop of performance from the 350PS EcoBoost engine.”
The Focus RS Edition delivers drive modes that include the industry-first Drift Mode for controlled oversteer drifts under circuit conditions and Launch Control for ultimate performance off the start-line – accelerating from 0-62mph in just 4.7sec.
“For hardcore driving enthusiasts, the additional mechanical grip offered by the Quaife LSD will make it even easier to carry speed through a corner on the track, and maximise acceleration on the way out,” continued Mr Roeks.
“The new setup also delivers greater mechanical stability and control when braking hard, and will help drivers set the car up for power-slides using Drift Mode. The Focus RS Edition takes our ‘fun to drive’ philosophy to a new level for an everyday road car.”
Unique Design
The Focus RS Edition is visually arresting with a Nitrous Blue exterior, including matte black roof and mirror caps. The rear roof spoiler also features a matte black finish, with blue RS logos on the spoiler side wings.
Other standard equipment includes:
- Black cast 19-inch alloy wheels with RS centre caps
- Brembo four-piston monoblock callipers finished in distinctive RS blue with a Brembo logo
- Recaro shell seats with exclusive Nitrous Blue leather applications
- Carbon fibre interior trim parts (auxiliary dials bezel, door handles and handbrake lever)
- Privacy glass
- Rear parking sensors
- Electric folding mirrors
- Cruise control with speed limiter
- Ford KeyFree system
- Heated steering wheel
- Active City Stop
The Focus RS Edition is available on a first-come first-served basis from FordStores throughout the country. A production run of 500 units is planned from late October to December 2017.