Ford has announced that its high-performance compact will be powered by the company’s new four-cylinder 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine, which shares its fundamental structure with the all-aluminum four-cylinder engine in the new Mustang.
The engine is significantly upgraded compared with the Mustang installation so that the Focus RS delivers 10% more power, producing 350PS, and features a new low-inertia twin-scroll turbocharger with larger compressor, enhanced air intake design, and a large-bore high performance exhaust system. Maximum torque of 440Nm is delivered between 2,000 and 4,500 rpm, with 470Nm available for up to 15 seconds on transient overboost during hard acceleration. The engine powers the RS from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds on to a 266km/h (165mph) top speed.
The Focus RS Launch Control system configures the vehicle’s chassis and powertrain systems to deliver the fastest possible acceleration, whatever the track conditions. The driver selects Launch Control from the cluster menu, engages first gear, applies full throttle and then releases the clutch. The system then delivers optimum drive including distributing torque through the AWD system, maintaining maximum torque using turbo overboost function, managing the traction control system, and setting the dampers.
Developed by a team of Ford Performance engineers in Europe and the USA, the all-new Focus RS is the third generation of Focus RS cars, following models launched in 2002 and 2009.
Click below to watch a video of the new RS in action:
September 17, 2015