View our slide show of the new Ford Focus RS

These pictures also show some of the details which have been slow to emerge, such as the glossy black plastic mesh in the grille and under the headlamps, and fully-functioning bonnet vents, reminiscent of those found on the iconic Ford Escort RS Cosworth.

And there are plenty of other neat touches guaranteed to whet the appetite of fans of the Blue Oval. RS-logo'd side vents, deep side skirts, a big, black rear spoiler and an imposing diffuser in the rear bumper with two huge exhausts all point to the rumoured performance.

Insiders say the new Ford Focus RS should be capable of reaching 60mph in less than six seconds, before reaching a top speed of more than 150mph. Precise performance details haven't been announced, because the RS is still undergoing development work.

Ford says it has benchmarked the Ford Focus RS against a number of rivals – some four-wheel drive, and likely to include the Volkswagen Golf R32 and Subaru Impreza WRX, and possibly the hot Impreza STI model – and it says the use of clever technology will make putting 300bhp and 410Nm of pulling power through the front wheels a reality.

Engineers at Ford's research centre in Aachen, Germany have developed 'RevoKnuckle' technology, which when combined with a Quaife limited-slip differential is said to almost eliminate handling-robbing torquesteer. It is technology such as this which shows the Focus RS is not simply a warmed-over Ford Focus ST, rather a model worthy of wearing the evocative RS badge.

Inside, a pair of hip-hugging Recaro bucket seats – trimmed in grey and green with blue stitching – are the centrepieces of a racy cabin, although a thick-rimmed steering wheel and a trio of dials on top of the dash echo the sporty theme.

Ford also revealed it is open to producing the Focus RS in the retina-scorching green paint seen in these pictures. The hue is 'a modern interpretation' of the Le Mans Green paint which became a trademark of the very first RS-badged Ford, 1970's Ford Escort RS1600.

• We'll be reporting live from the British motor show, where the Ford Focus RS will be seen in public, outside of the company's Dagenham plant, for the first time.

Video: Want to see the RS's little brother in action? Here's some footage of the new Ford Focus ST...