Ford confirms new Focus RS prices

Dec 15 2008 Steve Hughes

Ford confirms new Focus RS prices

FORD'S fastest-ever European production car, the new Focus RS, will cost from £24,995 when it goes on sale in March, the company has confirmed.

Beneath the bonnet is a turbocharged 2.5-litre, five-cylinder petrol engine generating 305bhp.

Front-wheel-driven through a six-speed transmission, the Focus RS accelerates from 0-60mph in just under six seconds and has a top speed of slightly over 160mph.

To help handling there is a wider track, enhanced drive-shafts and rear anti-roll bar, revised springs and dampers and retuned steering, plus a specially-developed version of Ford's electronic stability programme with traction assist.

Uprated disc brakes - 336mm ventilated front and 300mm rear - combine with electronic brake-force distribution and emergency brake assist.

Visually there is a distinctive bonnet, front bumper and side skirts, 19-inch alloy wheels and fat low-profile 235/35 tyres.

There is a rear twin-bladed spoiler and power/heated door mirrors with a high-gloss black finish, xenon headlights with automatic levelling and jet-wash, LED lights at the rear plus twin chrome tailpipes.

A Quickclear heated windscreen is fitted, there are rear tinted windows, Recaro sports seats with side bolsters trimmed to match the colour of the car, manual air-conditioning and a Sony radio with six-disc CD player and DAB.

A Ford Power button gives keyless engine ignition and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm is standard.

A £750 Luxury Pack includes dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dim rear-view mirror, rear parking sensors, tyre deflation detection and a key-free system.

The £1,500 version of the Luxury Pack adds DVD navigation with a seven-inch touch-screen.

Other optional extras include partially leather-trimmed seats at £500 and Bluetooth phone connectivity and USB port for £200.

The metallic version of the Performance Blue paintwork costs £395 while the tri-coat metallic Ultimate Green finish carries a £695 premium.

The £24,995 price of the Focus RS compares with £20,408 for the ST3, which is currently the top-of-the-range Focus.