by Adrian Hearn

Full details of the hotly-anticipated Ford Focus RS have been released – and there’s a lot to be excited about.

Ford has sent out an 18 page press release on the new RS so we’ve decided to reel off the big numbers but give you full access to the 10,000-or-so word document.

Read the full document

Read the full tech spec

The basic numbers

Engine: 2.5-litre turbocharged
Power: 300bhp
Gearbox: six-speed manual
Weight: 1,487kg
0-62mph (100kph) 5.9 seconds
31mph – 62mph (50kph – 100kph) fourth gear: 5.3 seconds
Average fuel consumption: 30.5mpg
Tank range: 582 miles
Carbon Dioxide emissions: 225g/km (£210 a year)
Front brakes: 336mm x 30mm
Wheels: 19-inch
Price: from £24,995

The engineering

The RS uses the Focus ST’s engine unit as a base but but Ford has added a new air intake system, exhaust manifold and turbocharger to generate the car’s 35 per cent power increase.

Gearing is one per cent longer than the ST enabling the RS to hit the 62mph (100kph) mark in second gear.

The RS uses ‘RevoKnuckle’ which is a patented suspension design which reduces the tugging at the wheels when under aggressive acceleration, minimising torque steer.

Thanks to RevoKnucle, the RS could be front-wheel drive instead of four-wheel drive, which would have meant more weight, higher CO2 emissions and a higher price-tag.

A Quaife limited slip differential sends power to the wheel with most grip through the corners to reduce understeer.

Aerodynamic adjustments over the ST gives the RS 26 per cent more downforce.

Key quotes:

Jost Capito, director, Global Performance Vehicles & Motorsport Business Development:

“This is a serious machine, with the performance, traction and precision to match far more exotic sports car. The RS badge is not something we treat lightly and I believe this car proves it.”

Dirk Densing, chief engineer

“Because it’s so precisely tuned, our engineers have lapped the Nurburgring as quickly with ESP on, as with it off.”

Martin Smith, director of design:

“In design terms, every member of the Ford family has its own personality. Mondeo is the most premium; Fiesta is the most stylish; Ka the friendliest – RS is quite simply the meanest.”

Pub ammo:

• The Focus RS is the 22nd Ford to wear the RS badge in 39 years
  
• With 300bhp, it will be the most powerful front-wheel drive Ford ever
  
• Since being launched in 1998, more than 5.5 million Ford Focuses have been built
  
• A top speed of 163mph makes it the fastest production-built hot hatch in the UK
  
• Braking at 62mph takes just 34.8 metres when the typical distance is 73 metres}
  
• Despite the power and performance increase, the RS is 0.1mpg more economical than the ST.
  
• The RS completed more than 400 laps of the 12.3mile Nurburgring race track in Germany
  The car underwent 10,000 hours of vehicle testing