If there is one brand ROUSH Performance knows, it is Ford. And if there is one Ford vehicle they know better than anything else, it’s the Mustang. Over the years ROUSH has churned out one amazing Mustang after another…but they’ve also dabbled in other performance vehicles as well, including the Ford Focus. These days the Focus has a lot more to recommend it in terms of performance and handling, and ROUSH wants to take it to the next level. The Detroit News reports that ROUSH Performance will roll out a “Stage 3” Focus at the North American International Auto Show next month. So what does a Stage 3 Focus deliver?
Well for starters, the RS3 Focus will only be available as a five-door hatchback, and will start out as an SE model from Ford’s factory. From there, ROUSH will add a dual-exit exhaust system and high-flow induction system to boost performance. Topping it all off with be a TVS 2300 supercharger system. Yes, ROUSH is building a supercharged Focus.
The supercharger should boost horsepower from 180 to 230, and torque from 146 ft-lbs to 210 ft-lbs. It should be noted that these numbers are a bit short of Ford’s own hot hatch creation, the Focus ST, which comes out next year. But ROUSH will also improve handling, exterior looks and interior comfort as well. It will be interesting to match up the Focus RS3 with the Focus ST once both are available, and see which comes out on top.