The Ford Focus RS has been the Focus (ahem) of a few posts here at MotorMartin Towers where, as a fast Ford fan, I’ve been following the progress of this hottest of hot hatch from the very beginning. Indeed, a quick click on the following will give those that missed it a chance to catchup on the incredible work that the team at Ford Performance completed to get the Focus RS up to the required standard http://motormartin.com/2016/01/23/news-all-new-ford-focus-rs-pioneers-innovative-awd-and-performance-technologies-for-ultimate-driving-enjoyment-part-1/ and http://motormartin.com/2016/01/24/news-all-new-ford-focus-rs-pioneers-innovative-awd-and-performance-technologies-for-ultimate-driving-enjoyment-part-2/ and now the first Ford Focus RS are being delivered to their first owners in the UK and, not only that, was lauded at last week’s Autocar Awards. Not a bad start really.
Ford have shared with MotorMartin the following that this third-generation Focus RS, with all-wheel drive and 350PS 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine, achieving 0-62mph in 4.7sec and capable of 165mph, was recognised with a five-star rating by Autocar – ahead of Golf R, Civic Type R, Audi RS3 Sportback and Mercedes-AMG A45. Impressive indeed for such a new design and surely an award that the Ford Focus RS will be accepting for a few more years to come.
Jim Holder, Autocar editorial director, shared with MotorMartin that: “Any car that carries Ford’s RS badge also carries with it a weight of expectation – but the latest Focus RS carries that load with ease. It’s the most fun you can have in a hot hatch on road or track, the new Focus RS heads our league table for delivering on the edge thrills when you really want to push – all for £31,000.” I think that’s fairly conclusive then.
Adding more gloss to an already successful night was the news that RS chief engineer Tyrone Johnson was named Engineer of the Year by Autocar. German-born, educated in the US and a Ford engineer of 31 years, Tyrone previously worked on first SVT Mustang of 1992 and the first global Mondeo alongside spells in motorsport. From 1992 to 2003 Tyrone was part of Ford’s Stewart Ford and Jaguar Racing Formula 1 teams, as well as the Ford Focus’ entry into World Rally.
Heading up a team of 20, Tyrone was assigned to the current RS three years ago with the intent to create a ground-breaking all-wheel drive platform from the start, sharing with MotorMartin, Tyrone added: “I’m energised by the team I lead, mainly because I’ve got some real crazy car guys and gals working for me! This Autocar award is for them all.”
Jim Holder informed MotorMartin that: “Tyrone was asked to reinvent an icon, and he and his team have achieved it in the most spectacular fashion, creating old-school thrills in a totally modern package.” Well said Jim.
An online documentary series follows the highs – and lows – of engineering the all-new Focus RS for global sale in 42 countries and in MotorMartin’s opinion, provides plenty of fascinating insights into the design process that a car such as this needs to go through. All episodes of “Rebirth of an Icon”, covering design studio to unveil and extreme testing in the Arctic and Arizona in between, are at www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSDdJ-bq9Y18ODbtta-Qzumct4Ae4e1O3 and I definitely recommend that you click on the above link to view.
It just remains to say a massive MotorMartin well done to Ford, the all new Focus RS and the team behind this amazing hot hatch.
Where will you go?