It's Official: Ford's Furious Focus RS Unveiled!

Cologne, Germany – For all you hot hatch fans, there’s a new kid in town. Hot off the press, we have all the details of the Blue Oval’s high performance 2017 Focus RS. The third-generation model, the first headed to North American shores, is powered by the turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine found in the 2015 Ford Mustang and boasting output “somewhere north” of 315 horsepower. Ford says the new RS is “the most powerful production Focus ever, with highly capable performance on both road and track.”

The new RS comes standard with all-wheel drive and Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control which will help differentiate the new model from its front-wheel-drive stablemate, the Focus ST, as well as offer performance to challenge Volkswagen’s Golf R and Subaru’s STI.

According to Ford, the “The Ford Performance all-wheel-drive system is based on twin electronically controlled clutch packs on each side of the rear drive unit. These manage the car’s front/rear torque split, and can control the side-to-side torque distribution on the rear axle – delivering the “torque vectoring” capability that has a dramatic impact on handling and cornering stability.”

The upgraded suspension features stiffer springs, bushings and anti-roll bars plus adjustable shocks with road and track settings. It’s also equipped with 19 inch wheels with either Michelin Pilot Super Sport 235/35 tires or semi-slick Pilot Sport Cup 2 for track use. Electric power-assisted steering, a more rigid front suspension knuckle design and shorter link arms, promises improved steering response and feedback. The car comes standard with a six-speed manual gearbox and both transmission and clutch have been upgraded with stronger components to cope with the engine’s increased torque output.

The last gen model came in three-door guise only, but the new Focus RS arrives as a five-door sporting revised front and rear bumper covers and a tall roof spoiler. The front grille has bigger intakes for improved breathing and the rear bumper incorporates a diffuser, fog lamp and dual exhaust tips.

Inside, you’ll find Recaro bucket seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, alloy pedals and a 8.0-inch touchscreen with Ford’s Sync interface. An additional array of gauges above the center console displays boost pressure, oil temperature and oil pressure. Four colors have been announced: Nitrous Blue, Stealth Gray, Absolute Black or Frozen White. The car shown is in Ford’s Liquid Blue which is a show car color only.

Ford Performance brought in famed rally driver Ken Block to help develop the new Focus RS and it’s just one of 12 new or revised models Ford plans to bring to market by 2020. This includes several versions of the Mustang, the GT supercar headed to production in 2016, the Raptor truck, and the existing subcompact Fiesta ST and compact Focus ST. The new Focus RS makes its world debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, March 3rd, 2015.

Pricing hasn’t been announced, but it’s likely the RS will start between $30,000 and $35,000 when it goes on sale as a 2017 model at the end of this year.

All Images Ford Motor Company.