The Ford Focus RS is much more than a Focus ST

Dah dah – it’s here, in the UK, and we’ve driven it

So it’s a Ford Focus that goes quite fast. The cabin isn’t amazingly unlike any other Focus. Is it really that much more than a Focus ST?

Yes, oh yes it is. And really the ace in the deck isn’t even the engine. That’s pretty damn marvellous, and by now you probably know all about the 2.3-litre four-pot that Ford Performance have worked on. It sounds like a burbling thing low down, rises to a growl midrange and then gets raspy as the revs climb inexorably towards the 6800rpm redline.

There’s a lot of performance, and it feeds through a six-speed manual box that feels slick and meaty at the same time. The same goes for the clutch, so your interaction with the engine is rock solid. You’ll want to go hunting the redline as it sounds so good and pulls so strongly at the top. If you use Sport mode you even get some popping on the overrun.

So that’s seriously good, but as mentioned, it’s not even the best thing. The handling. The handling is incredible. And the ride is firm, of course, but it’s never harsh, so you get the sort of handling you want from a hot hatch, with little roll in the corners and a real sense of stability going into, round or exiting any corner or series of them. The brilliantly weighted steering adds to this, meaning you can turn in with confidence, and lots of feedback. The weighting is perfect, not too heavy, not too light.

So we still haven’t got to the best thing. But this is it. The technology. Which probably isn’t what you were expecting. It starts with that 345bhp, then it goes to the four-wheel drive system, and that’s when the magic happens. There are two electronically controlled clutches in the rear, and they can switch power around the wheels in the blink of an eye. Get this, they can move 100% of the torque from one side of the car to the other in 0.06sec.

Ford Focus RS

On sale now; Price £31,000; Engine 4 cyls, 2261cc, turbocharged, petrol; Power 345bhp at 6000rpm; Torque 325lb ft at 2000-4500rpm (347lb ft on overboost); Gearbox 6-spd manual; Kerb weight 1599kg; 0-62mph 4.7sec; Top speed 165mph; Economy 36.7mpg (combined); CO2/tax band 175g/km, 32%

So as you chuck it into a corner, a lot of cars will have the inside wheel scrabbling for grip and some systems will try to give it grip. Not in the RS. It knows you want the power on the outside wheel so you can slingshot out of the corner and down the straight. So that’s what you get. Power exactly where you need it for maximum performance and fun, not for maximum traction.

It means the Focus RS can be rotated round its outside rear wheel if that’s what’s needed for maximum attack. Hell, you can even lock it in Drift mode if you were so inclined.

Add in crushingly good brakes, a light to indicate when you should snick in another gear, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres and you’re driving a seriously sorted road car. It’s not a racer as it’s set up and choosing Track mode makes the suspension simply too firm for the road. View it as a blazingly hot hatch for the road and you’ll be deliriously happy.

This much performance, handling and application for £31,000 looks like amazing value. If you can afford it then you won’t regret buying it. If you think something like this is beneath you and you should get something with a smarter badge – think again.