FORD FOCUS RS 2009-2011
It’s characterful, hard- wearing and ha s a thoroughly modern power figure. Here’s how you could be driving a Mk2 RS for under £ 20k by Peter Tomalin
FEW HATCHBACKS HAVE MADE a bigger impact than the second Focus RS did when it burst into our world in January 2009. It wasn’t just the headline output figures of 300bhp and 324lb ft. Here was a fast Ford with the visual clout to put many mid-engined sports cars in the shade. Any lingering regrets that it didn’t have four-wheel drive were soon blown away by the character and delivery of the turbocharged five-cylinder engine and a chassis that did a remarkably fine job of channelling those rampaging horses through the front axle.
The engine was based on the 2.5-litre in-line five from the Focus ST, but with bespoke pistons, conrods and camshafts. The main change was the new, larger Borg Warner K16 turbo, which doubled the boost pressure from 0.7 to 1.4bar. A bigger intercooler, freer-breathing intake and exhaust systems and the obligatory remapping of fuelling and ignition completed the package. The result was 300bhp at 6500rpm and a stonking 324lb ft all the way from 2300 to 4500rpm. Performance claims were 0-62mph in 5.9sec (a figure we matched from 0 to 60mph) and a top speed of 163mph. From a Ford hatchback!
Helping ensure the RS wasn’t a torquesteering monster were Ford’s patented ‘Revoknuckle’ front suspension and a heavily revised version of the previous RS’S Quaife limited-slip differential, with much more subtle intervention when it started locking.
Spec-wise, Luxury Pack 1 included dual-zone climate control, auto headlights and wipers, rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring, keyless go, DAB radio and a six-disc Sony CD player. Pack 2 added an upgraded infotainment system including a rear-view camera and touchscreen satnav.
In May 2010, Ford unleashed the limited-edition RS500 with outputs ramped up to 345bhp and 339lb ft by a larger intercooler and airbox, a fatter exhaust and an ECU remap. It looked suitably menacing, too, with a matt black wrap, black alloys and red calipers. Even at £33,750 a pop, all 101 cars allocated to the UK were snapped up within a week.
For those who missed out, Ford offered the same mechanical upgrade, developed with Mountune and billed as MP350, for £1995 plus fitting. Independent tuning companies, of course, quickly took the RS to their hearts too, squeezing 400bhp or more from the engine and offering a whole range of suspension and brake upgrades.