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BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Modelsword count: 8

MODELS COVERED: (3dr hatch: 2.5 petrol [RS, RS500])

Historyword count: 431

It seemed improbable, barmy even. There was no way that Ford could put over 300bhp through the front wheels of its Focus hatchback and the result be in any way drivable. Everyone figured the result would be an erratic, torque-steering mess. Ford fans petitioned Jost Capito, the boss of the Focus RS project, pleading him to obtain funding for an all-wheel drive chassis. The redoubtable Senor Capito is probably not a guy I'd want to play poker against as he had an ace up his sleeve with an innovative suspension system that meant that the Focus RS not only didn't require a four wheel drive system but, as he was at pains to point out, would have been inferior with one. Although some have gone to private collectors, used examples of this ground-breaking hot hatch are now starting to appear in meaningful numbers. If ever a car was built to be used rather than polished in a dehumidified garage, the Focus RS is it.Few vehicles have attracted quite so much fevered speculation ahead of its launch as the second generation Focus RS. Ford didn't need to run a teaser programme to build pre-launch hype. The blogosphere just about melted with snatched spy shots, rumour, claim and counter claim. Expectations had been raised by the first generation Focus RS, a 225bhp unguided missile that was built in limited numbers between 2002 and 2003. That car proved to be more, well, focused than many expected and its wild ride was never anything less than thrilling. The second generation car's specifications were finalised in 2008 and the car displayed at that year's British International Motor Show. Yes, it boasted a massive 301bhp power output from its 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine but our worst fears were confirmed. Drive was directed solely to the two front tyres. What we didn't know then was that Ford had modified and patented a front suspension system that Renault had been using for some time. Dubbed RevoKnuckle by Ford, it tamed the torque steer that afflicts powerful front-wheel drive cars and this, coupled with other suspension tweaks and very clever electronic control systems, meant that the RS was capable of deploying all that power, in the dry at least. Reviews were overwhelmingly positive, with most commentators realising that this car represented a game-changing moment in the development of the hot hatch. Ford was not content with this technical statement, however, and followed the RS with the RS500 edition. This car, launched in summer 2010 and finished in Panther Black metallic is good for 350bhp. It's a bit of a handful.

What You Getword count: 398

RS Fords have never been shrinking violets from a styling perspective. Fierce bodykits and super-sized rear wings big enough to hold a board meeting around have long been the order of the day where these fastest of Fords are concerned. The Focus RS continues that theme in its own muscle-bound style, confirming beyond doubt that this is not your normal Ford Focus. The front end is dominated by the huge angry intake carved into the valance. This, the grille and the slits below the headlamps are all filled with black honeycombed mesh. The bonnet features louvred air intakes, there are more honeycomb vents behind the front wheelarches and the back sports a roof-mounted spoiler with a diffuser under the car from which the chrome exhausts pipes sprout. The car's planted stance is achieved through its low skirts and a track that's 40mm wider than a standard Focus. Of course, beneath the surface, the changes to the Focus RS are even more far reaching. The springs and dampers have been completely revised and a more substantial anti-roll bar is fitted. The braking system features 336mm front discs and 300mm items at the rear to bring all that power under control. Inside, the cabin could feel a bit more special but all the basics are in place. Both driver and front passenger are clamped into extreme-looking Recaro sports seats while the RS badging crops up on every available surface including the specially-designed three-spoke steering wheel. The whole cabin is highlighted in brushed aluminium and carbon fibre-effect finishes while three additional gauges from the ST model, including one for turbo pressure, sit atop the dash. Saving weight was a central focus of the Focus RS and Ford weren't about to ruin all their hard work by offering a vast array of hefty optional extras. The car was offered as a three-door only and equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox. Exclusive 19" alloy wheels are standard fit and all models get power/heated door mirrors, Xenon headlights with automatic levelling and jet-wash, dual chrome tailpipes, a Quickclear heated windscreen, unique Recaro sports seats with side bolsters trimmed to match the colour of the car, air conditioning and a six-disc CD stereo. Aside from the matt-black body wrap and red brake callipers, the RS500 also got an individually numbered plaque next to the gear lever that detailed the car's position in the production run.

What You Payword count: 8

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