BREAKING NEWS: Ford Focus RS at the British Motor Show

We’ve spoken to the Ford who has confirmed these are official renderings of the Ford Focus RS – but they’ve been at Ford’s offices for a while and do not show the full, finished project.

View more images of the Focus RS

The first teaser shots were released in December last year where it was confirmed development was being led by Jost Capito, the man in charge of the hot Fiesta ST 500 and Focus ST projects.

Ford has also told Auto Trader it has not finalised the production of the first Ford Focus RS, but there has been testing of the car which will go on sale in 2009.

But we’d anticipate the Ford Focus RS to look almost identical to these images when it makes its world debut at next month’s British Motor Show.

The Ford Focus RS will share the same platform and 2.5-litre litre turbocharged engine as the 2008 Ford Focus ST, but will have power upped from 225bhp to about 300bhp and 300lb/ft of pulling power.

This should accelerate the Ford Focus RS from 0-62mph (100kph) in about six seconds (up from 6.8 for the ST) and on to a top speed of 155mph – putting it in Volkswagen Golf R32 territory.

But while the R32 is four-wheel drive, the Focus RS will remain front-wheel drive and – as with the previous RS – use a Quaife differential which will allow the inside wheels to travel less through corners than the outside wheel, helping to cut out understeer.

View images of original Ford Focus RS

It will also get a stiffer, more responsive suspension which will reduce bodyroll through corners. 

The Ford Focus RS was last built between 2001 and 2002 and accelerated from 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds before running on to a top speed of 144mph, while costing £20,300.

But we’d anticipate the Ford Focus RS will cost about £25,000 when it goes on sale in 2009.