2009 Ford Focus RS Official: 2.5-liter Turbo with 280 PS!

These are the first official images of the all-new Ford Focus RS, a pre-production version of which will be shown at the 2008 London Motor Show in late July. The Focus RS, shown here lightly camouflaged while undergoing performance and durability testing at the challenging Nürburgring Circuit in Germany, will enter the European market in early 2009.

The all-new Focus RS features a specially developed, turbocharged version of the Duratec 2.5-litre engine, based on Focus ST, but significantly revised to generate over 280PS and more than 400 Nm of torque. Power will transferred to the front wheels, with a limited slip differential helping to get those 280PS on to the road. Further technical details of the all-new Focus RS will be released closer to launch. -Continued

Jost Capito, whose Team RS development group were responsible for the first generation Focus RS in 2002, and more recently, the Fiesta ST and the new Focus ST, said: “The new Focus RS is as much a car for driving enthusiasts as the one before it and classic Ford RS models of the past. We’re staying true to the core RS principles of a no-compromise, affordable high performance road car you can live with. The new Focus RS will have the muscles, heart and soul of a genuine RS and will be exciting to drive every day.”

"We have no doubt that we can enhance the acclaimed qualities of the already excellent Focus for an even higher performance model than the ST," Capito added. "Now, we are going through the rigorous job of proving out our technical approach in extensive testing and tuning over a variety of roads including the most demanding track in the world, the "Green Hell" that is the Nürburgring Nordschleife!”

"With two consecutive Manufacturers’ World Rally Championship titles and the success of Fiesta and Focus ST models, we have the knowledge and the experience. The time is right for Ford to deliver a new high performance model for the legions of loyal Ford RS customers around Europe," Capito concluded.