670BHP MK2 RS
We spotted this stunning Focus RS in a Show and Shine competition, but with a fully forged engine pumping out 670bhp, via Syvecs management, it’s got the go to back up its show
Show and Shine winner with the small matter of 670bhp too!
I’ll let you into a little secret: as well as flying about all over the UK photographing and writing about awesome fast Fords, I also work for my local race track, Castle Combe. The fast, and challenging circuit is just 15-minutes from my house and has become like my second home. One of my regular jobs is to attend shows to take photos, and it was on one such job that I spotted Luke Jones’ Focus RS.
Parked up next to a varied bunch of
Fords, including a Mk2 Granada with BMW V8 engine and a fully stanced Fiesta ST Mk7, this stunning Focus RS caught my eye.
With a raft of exterior mods including ACR Composites bumpers and gold Fifteen52 wheels, it certainly deserved its place in the Show and Shine competition, but there was more to it than an immaculate exterior. A quick chat with owner, Luke, revealed it was packing a fully-built, 670bhp engine with Syvecs management.
Luke takes up the story…
“After seeing a Focus RS a couple of weeks after it’d been released, I just knew I had to own a Mk2 one day,” he reveals. “Then in 2015, a close friend bought himself an Ultimate Green car and seeing it day-in, day-out, I knew it wouldn’t be long before I’d be parting with my ST250 and getting my own RS.” The search for the perfect car began and having just missed out on the ideal model at MCR Specialist Cars, this one popped up, with the options he wanted, so Luke did the deal.
For the next two years he enjoyed the new RS. It was quickly upgraded and
tuned for a healthy 400bhp by Pumabuild, but having seen several big-power Syvecsequipped cars, he knew he wanted to go for big power.
“I started the build in August 2017, the day after Ford Fair, as I knew I didn’t have to use the car until the following show season began.” Having purchased a new daily driver, he was free to go to town on the Focus.
Luke spent a lot of time researching the best options for parts and with the help of Alan at Pumabuild, who’d done a great job of tuning and maintaining the car, he began stockpiling a collection of go-faster goodies. The idea was to get everything together, so that it could all be installed in one hit, rather than doing it in dribs and drabs.
The engine was fully upgraded with forged rods and pistons to ensure that this big-boosting RS delivers savage performance, while maintaining full reliability. A Precision 6466 turbo is the centrepiece of the build, ably supported by a titanium tubular exhaust manifold. A Devil Developments fuel system utilising 1000cc injectors gets the go-fast juice in quick and everything is expertly controlled by that Syvecs ECU.
“Devil Developments have been a massive help in the build. “I’m sure everyone knows Lee is the wizard of Syvecs and one of the best in the business for churning out bigpower fords,” enthuses Luke.
“I have three favourite parts of this car: the Precision 6466 turbo teamed up with the screamer pipe and the Syvecs ECU. The sounds is absolutely incredible, however the whole car has been built entirely to my taste and I love every single part of it. There’s definitely so much love for this car!”
Like the rest of this RS, the engine bay gleams and Luke goes to a lot of effort to ensure it remains that way. Open the bonnet and you’re greeted by an Anembo plenum and a 4in Syvecs intake pipe – both finished in gold, which really sets it off. The engine cover is also finished in gold carbon.
With a hefty 670bhp available,
“I have three favourite parts of this car: the Precision 6466 turbo teamed up with the screamer pipe and the Syvecs ECU...”
“Performance wise it’s an absolute animal. 670bhp going to the front wheels is always going to be a handful, but the Syvecs ECU manages to keep everything in line...”
acceleration is best described as intense. “Performance wise it’s an absolute animal,” smiles Luke. “670bhp going to the front wheels is always going to be a handful, but the Syvecs ECU manages to keep everything in line. From a standing launch, all the way through to the redline in sixth, it keeps you well and truly pinned in your seat. However, turn down the boost a little and it sits back and runs so smoothly; perfect for long motorway drives - the best of both worlds.”
Key to the drivability of this Focus is the Syvecs management. It’s a serious investment and requires expert setting up, but when it’s done well, it’s hard to beat. The system offers almost limitless tuning, from advanced launch control, to flat shift and everyone’s favourite: anti-lag. Day-to-day, the car drives perfectly well, with no real sense that it has such power. It’s only when Luke gives it some heavy right boot, that you realise this is properly quick. To give me a demonstration, he nails it from a rolling start, and the immaculate blue RS squats slightly, before launching down the road. There’s an angry rasp from the exhaust, followed a loud bang as the anti-lag kicks in. It certainly raises a few eyebrows on this quiet industrial estate – including one chap in an Aston Martin Rapide, who appears a little put out that he isn’t centre of attention and launches past us in response. The V12 sounds fantastic, but it wouldn’t stand a chance against this RS.
When it came to the exterior, Luke wanted to do things a bit differently and to his own tastes. It’s easy to get swept along and just follow what others have done, so full marks to him for doing his own thing.
The ACR Composites bumpers are a big feature of this car and certainly give the RS a very purposeful look. The front includes Zunsport grilles without a Blue Oval, which makes people look twice, while the rear is even more of a talking point.
“The single-exit exhaust seems to confuse a lot of people and I’ve heard so many of them asking their mates if they reckon it’s an ST or an event lower-spec model, but I’m quick to jump in and assure them it’s a genuine RS!” laughs Luke. It was this unique touch which required a custom exhaust and Devil Developments created a full 3.5in system including downpipe.
The exterior is what initially caught my eye, specifically the ultra-glossy paintwork, so it’s no surprise to discover that the car had a full exterior respray, when the ACR Composites bumpers were fitted.
“Advanced Auto Accident Repair are just a stone’s throw from my house and after working there for a couple of years, I knew there was nobody else I would want to lay hands on my car more than them. Once they’d sourced the bumpers, they had the car for three weeks to complete a full exterior repaint,” says Luke. The outside is finished off with some cool
MonkeyWrench bespoke headlights and a set of black RS badges on the front wings and tailgate.
Tucked up in those big arches are a set of Fifteen52 Tarmac wheels, which really suit this blue Mk2. Powder-coated Shadow gold, the five-spoke, motorsport-inspired rims also complement the gold bits in the engine bay as well as a neat gold towing eye peeping out of the front bumper.
Behind those shiny rims you’ll see a set of Brembo brakes. The Gran Turismo kit features fully floating 365mm discs and track pads with braided lines, which gives Luke the confidence to know that it will scrub off speed with alacrity, every time.
The Mk2 Focus RS interior is a pretty nice place to be as standard, but it isn’t the most exciting, so Luke has focused on adding a few extras, including a tactile OMP steering wheel with snap-off boss. A smattering of Alcantara has been added too, with the bespoke armrest, gear gaiter and handbrake all covered in the soft-touch fabric.
“Future plans include some interior trimming (as the ford stuff is renowned for being a bit bland), a full roll cage, engine dress up pieces, a whole load of underside restoration work, custom rear lights and mirror indicators, possibly a roof colour change and there’s a change of wheels soon happening. A full suspension setup is required and I then intend to get out on track and ring its neck some more,” says Luke. That may sound a brave move for a car that’s in such an immaculate condition, but then it was built to be enjoyed and with a hefty 670bhp on tap, it’s going to be a fun ride.