224kW and 440Nm generated by Ford's 2.5 litre Duratec five-cylinder turbocharged engine, the Focus RS dispatches the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.9 seconds.
Ford has recently revealed a preview of its upcoming 2011 Ford Focus ST - the RS's less-powerful sibling - this may be the first and last opportunity for Australian buyers to get their hands on one of Ford of Europe's most exciting models.
Suspension and handling is managed by Ford's innovative RevoKnuckle front-suspension system and Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing limited-slip differential. Braking is covered by 336mm ventilated front and 300mm rear brakes.Petrol engines available were the well-proven 1.8 L and 2.0 L Zetec-E units from the Ford Mondeo and 1.4 L and 1.6 L versions of the Zetec-SE units found in the Ford Fiesta and Ford Puma. The ST170 and RS performance models used modified versions of the 2.0 L Zetec-E. Originally, the only diesel engine available was the Endura TDDI (a development of the old Deutz-designed motor which Ford had been using since the 1980s). small family car (European) class, used the less expensive half-independent torsion beam suspension, Control Blade offered enhanced elasto-kinematic performance, i.e., strong body control, sharp and accurate steering regardless of the car's attitude, and an absorbent and quiet ride over bumps.
Unlike conventional multi-link suspension, Control Blade features a wide, simple, uniform thickness, pressed steel trailing arm with hub carrier — taking the place of two longitudinal locating rods, eliminating an expensive cast knuckle, and offering the same level of body control — with a lower center of gravity, reduced road noise, and at lower production cost. The long rear lateral arm controls toe, a pair of shorter front lateral arms, vertically above each other, control the camber, and the Control Blade reacts to brake and traction loads.
In testing the suspension in 2000, Motor Trend writer Jack Keebler noted "The Focus' average speed of 62.6 mph through our slalom makes it faster around the cones than a $62,000 Jaguar XJ8L and a $300,000 Bentley Continental.
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