Say Hello To The 2016 Ford Focus RS

on February 3, 2015 at 2:25 pm

After years of sliding around in the dirt of the World Rally Championship, and millions of YouTube views of Ken Block drifting race-bred hatchbacks around, Ford is finally bringing an all-wheel drive Focus to the roads. It’s the new Focus RS, and unlike previous iterations of the hot hatch, it’ll be available worldwide.

The upcoming Focus RS is a 315 horsepower version of the company’s practical hatchback, sporting a 2.3-liter ecoboost engine up front. So far, Ford hasn’t given much information on the differential setup, the drivetrain does support Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control, which will split power across the axles to help pull the car around corners.

On the outside, a dramatic front facia with LED running lights and a large “RS” logo certainly sets it apart from your average Focus, while the sizeable wing hanging off the hatch brings back memories of the venerable Escort Cosworth. The interior, meanwhile, features dual sports seats up front and, presumably, the company’s new Sync 3 system in the dashboard.

“The all-new Focus RS is a serious machine with high-performance technology and innovative engineering that sets a new benchmark for driving exhilaration on the road and track,” said Raj Nair, group vice president, Global Product Development, Ford Motor Company. “The RS line has a proud history of technical breakthroughs that have migrated to mainstream Ford vehicles to benefit all of our customers, and the new Focus RS is no exception. It’s a great example of our passion for innovation through performance, and creating vehicles that make people’s hearts pound.”

No word on availability for the car, nor cost, but with the Focus ST priced directly to compete with the Subaru WRX, expect the RS to start around the same price as the Subaru WRX STI edition. That is to say, somewhere around $35,000.