Spectators at last weekend’s Wales Rally GB got the chance to see the Ford Focus RS make its official driving debut.

In the past few months, the Ford Focus RS has been spied in the UK and on the continent – but this is the first official public appearance on the move.

The blue right-hand drive Ford Focus RS was driven round the Millennium Stadium at the end of the Cardiff stage of the Wales Rally GB by twice world champion Marcus Gronholm.

View more shots of the RS in Cardiff

Gronholm started his rallying car in 1987, driving a Ford Escort, and chalked up 30 victories in total, becoming world champion in 2000 and 2002 – the last year an RS badge was seen on a Focus.

On sale towards the middle of next year, the Ford Focus RS is expected to be one of the biggest releases of 2009 and is Ford’s most powerful hot hatch, sitting above Focus ST.

Under the bonnet is a tuned version of the ST’s 2.5-litre turbocharged engine with power increased from 222bhp to 300bhp and pulling power measured at 324lb/ft.

The result is a 0-62mph time of less than six seconds and a ‘targeted top speed of 161mph,’ making it the fastest hot hatch on sale in the UK with many of its rivals restricted to 155mph.

Click on the image below for a bumper RS slide show

All this power is channelled to the front wheels with the RS getting a fancy differential which distributes torque to the wheel with most grip.

Prices haven’t been confirmed but this hasn’t stopped more than 1,600 people putting their names down on a waiting list – many of whom are paying to get further up the list.

When it does arrive on forecourts in the spring, expect it to be priced around £25,000