2010 Ford LV Focus RS Hatchback

Description

The first Focus to wear the iconic RS badge was launched in 2002, replacing the legendary Escort RS Cosworth. Powered by a 2-litre 16-valve Duratec engine producing 212bhp, all were finished in Imperial Blue and featured an aggressive body kit, 18-inch OZ alloy wheels and Sparco seats. A worthy competitor for Subaru’s WRX and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo in Europe, Australian buyers missed out on the first generation Focus and had to wait almost a decade for the Mark 2 Focus RS to arrive on our shores. Retaining the conventional front-wheel drive layout of its predecessor, the latest Focus RS significantly upped the ante in terms of performance thanks to an enlarged 2.5-litre version of the in-line five-cylinder motor that yielded a massive 301 bhp, delivering serious performance: the RS could hit 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds and has a top speed in excess of 260 km/h. Available in Ultimate Green, Frozen White or Performance Blue, the Mark 2’s body kit added a serious looking spoiler and diffuser at the rear, bulging wheelarches to cover the 15-spoke 19-inch alloy rims and aggressive frontal styling with bonnet vents. The Focus always had a reputation for razor sharp handling and a Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing Helical limited-slip diff ensured all 301 horses could be exploited to maximum effect. Inside the Recaro seats were trimmed in partial leather, keyless start, eight speaker Sony sound system and hands-free Bluetooth were all standard equipment. Built in Saarlouis, Germany just 315 were earmarked for the Australian market and they sold out almost immediately despite the $59,995 price tag. Ford claimed the 2010 Focus RS was essentially a road-going version of the WRC rally car that won the WRC manufacturer’s title in 2006 and 2007 and a decade later has already earned classic status.