New Ford Focus RS 2016 - prices, details and specs

The new Ford Focus RS boasts supercar-like acceleration and top speed for a seriously attainable price tag. It was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show following months of speculation over the brand’s most practical performance car.

Boasting a top speed of 165mph and a 0-62mph time of just 4.7 seconds, the Ford Focus RS is one of the fastest family cars you can buy. This is thanks to a 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine that produces 345bhp and the Ford Performance four-wheel-drive system.

New Ford Focus RS 2016 review

A shift light alerts you to the optimum time to change gear, while an electrically controlled twin-clutch decides how much power to send to the front and rear wheels for maximum stability.

The 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine is related to the one in the Ford Mustang, with extra power available during intense acceleration. This is the fastest-accelerating RS model in Ford’s history and the 30th to wear the RS badge. It should certainly give rivals such as the Honda Civic Type R a run for their money. At £28,940, the Ford Focus RS is a good-value performance car that should be attainable for many.

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Ford has recently been developing its performance line-up and it now includes some of the most attractive 'hot' versions on sale in the UK, including the popular Ford Fiesta ST. Ford also showcased the (much more expensive) Ford GT supercar as well as the slightly tamer Ford Focus ST at Frankfurt.

"The all-new Focus RS delivers stunning performance and innovative technology at a price that will make both our customers and premium automakers look twice," said Jürgen Gagstatter, chief program engineer for the car. "After experiencing the acceleration and cornering capability of the Focus RS, drivers will question the sense in spending almost £10,000 more on a premium competitor."

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Despite the impressive power on offer, CO2 emissions have been reduced by around 20% compared to the old RS, meaning the new car should emit around 180 grams per kilometre for an annual road tax bill in the region of £225.

Dave Pericak, global director of Ford Performance, said: "The stunning pace and innovative technology of the all-new Focus RS place it head-to-head with luxury and exotic marques, and it’s ready for the challenge."

Previous versions of the Focus RS have shunned grip-enhancing four-wheel drive for a clever front suspension design. That system, called RevoKnuckle, weighed around 20kg, and it's understood the new Focus RS' four-wheel-drive system doesn’t weigh much more. There had been much debate over whether the next Focus RS would adopt such a system.

See what the Focus RS is like to drive here

The new Ford Focus RS features a system called Dynamic Torque Vectoring, which balances power between the front and rear wheels to maximise grip on the move. It’ll come with firmer sports suspension, which can be stiffened or softened depending on whether you want a sportier or more comfortable drive.

Ford says that all these systems combined make the car controllable, even when cornering at very high speeds.

Although the new Focus RS features aggressive styling, it looks more restrained than the previous car. That's because this is the first RS-badged car to be sold in all markets around the world – and plenty of those don't appreciate an outrageous look.

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Explaining the car's looks to Carbuyer's sister title Auto Express, design boss Ernesto Rupar said: "We were looking at the RS3 and its classy style. We didn’t want to make this car look like a boy racer's car."

Despite this, the Focus' front bumper has been designed specifically for this model and features huge air vents, while the rear has a large spoiler and two big exhausts.

The Focus RS' standard equipment should impress, with 19-inch alloy wheels, powerful Brembo brakes, Recaro sports seats and sat nav all thrown in.

Options will include race-car-like Recaro bucket seats and semi-slick tyres for use on track. The car won’t be available in the Liquid Blue paint colour in our pictures, but a similar hue (Nitrous Blue) will be available, alongside Stealth Grey, Absolute Black and Frozen White. Fans of the previous Focus RS' bright Ultimate Green shade will be disappointed to learn it has been discontinued.