Ford Focus RS pricing announced

Pricing for the fastest-ever European production car to come out of the Ford stable, the 2009 Focus RS, has been announced for the UK. When launched in March 2009, the Focus RS will have a price tag of £24,995.

After a number of years without an RS (Rallye Sport) variant, Ford finally gave in to customer demand and developed this turbocharged blazing hatch. Power is sourced from the Focus ST's 2.5 litre five cylinder petrol engine to produce 305PS, channeled through the front wheels. Maximum torque is rated at 440Nm.

The Focus RS features unique camshafts, revised cylinder heads and gasket, as well as changes to the intake and manifold systems. Its 6 speed manual gearbox helps the RS accelerate from 0 to 62mph in just under 6 seconds, with a top speed stated at over 160mph. Technologies such as the RevoKnuckle front-suspension system and a Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing LSD keep the car's handling top notch even in very sticky situations.

Interior appointments include Recaro sports seats, carbon fibre inlays, a Sony 6-CD changer, and a keyless engine starter system. There will be optional equipment offered like a £750 Luxury Pack that features dual-zone air conditioning, rain-sensing wipers and rear parking distance sensors. Another more expensive Luxury Pack includes a touch-screen DVD navigation system.

Considering that the Austrian model starts at the equivalent of £33,000, it's far cheaper if you think that the UK model is expensive.

Press Release:

Prices announced for 2009 Ford Focus RS

2008 Ford's fastest-ever European production car, the 2009 Focus RS, will be priced from £24,995 when it goes on sale in the UK in March.

The new Focus RS is the first Ford to wear the famous Rallye Sport badge since the first-generation Focus RS was launched seven years ago, and the 22nd since 1970.

RS denotes a distinctive blend of high performance, road-holding, refinement, safety and value for money, and reflects a proud tradition of successful motor sports involvement that continues to the present day.

Under the bonnet of the Ford Focus RS is a turbocharged 2.5-litre, five-cylinder Duratec petrol engine, with a confirmed 305PS and 440Nm peak torque. Features include unique camshafts and a revised cylinder head and gasket, intake and manifold system.

Front-wheel-driven through a six-speed transmission, the Focus RS accelerates from 0-62mph in under six seconds and has a targeted top speed of over 160mph.

A class-leading balance of traction, sports handling and performance is achieved through the combination of a Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing limited-slip differential and innovative RevoKnuckle front-suspension system.

These features are complemented by a wider track, enhanced drive-shafts and rear anti-roll bar, revised springs and dampers and retuned steering, while a specially developed version of Ford's Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Traction Assist (TA) provides added assurance.

Uprated disc brakes - 336mm ventilated front and 300mm rear - combine with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) to supply a reassuringly high degree of stopping power.

Taking its place as the top-of-the-range Focus, the RS will be immediately distinguishable on the road, with its unique bonnet, front bumper and side skirts. Also unique to the model are its 19-inch alloy wheels, shod with 235/35 tyres.

The rear twin-bladed spoiler - the continuation of an RS tradition - and the power/heated door mirrors are also distinctive, with their high-gloss black finish.

Xenon headlights with automatic levelling and jet-wash are provided, with LED lights at the rear. Dual chrome tailpipes add a further sporting dash.

A Quickclear heated windscreen is fitted, and privacy glass for the rear. A Ford Easy Fill fuelling system removes any risk of costly mis-fuelling errors at the pump.

The driver and front passenger benefit from unique Recaro sports seats, with side bolsters trimmed to match the colour of the car - green for Ultimate Green models, blue for those finished in Performance Blue or Frozen White. Rear passengers are comfortably accommodated in a sculpted Recaro-style seat.

A manual air-conditioning system is provided, and in-car entertainment in the form of a Sony radio and six-disc CD player with DAB. A Ford Power button allows for keyless engine ignition, and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm is standard.

A £750 Luxury Pack includes the options of Dual-Zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (DEATC) air-conditioning; automatic headlights; rain-sensor wipers; auto-dim rear-view mirror; rear parking-distance sensors; tyre deflation-detection; and a Ford Key-Free system. The £1,500 version of the Luxury Pack adds in a Touchscreen DVD Navigation System, with seven-inch touch-screen.

Other optional extras include partially leather-trimmed seats at £500 and, for £200, Bluetooth® hands-free phone connectivity and USB port. Specifying a metallic version of the Performance Blue paintwork costs £395, while a Tri-Coat Metallic Ultimate Green finish carries a £695 price tag.

The standard price of the flagship Focus RS compares with £20,408 for the ST3, the existing top-of-the-range Focus