2016 Ford Focus RS: Production of 350 HP Hot-Hatch Underway [Video]

2016 Ford Focus RS
2016 Ford Focus RS

The official word is that the first 2016 Focus RS has rolled off the production line at Ford’s plant in Saarlouis, Germany. The high-performance hatch makes power from a new 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine that cranks out 350 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual that drives all four wheels.

Performance is the name of the game for the RS. According to Ford, its newest hot-hatch can dash from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and hit a top speed of 165 mph.

“The all-new Focus RS is a serious machine with high-performance technology and innovative engineering that sets new benchmarks for driving exhilaration on the road and track,” said Raj Nair, group vice president, Global Product Development, Ford Motor Company. “It’s a great example of our passion for innovation through performance and creating vehicles that make people’s hearts pound.”

While this may be the third-generation Focus RS, it is the fastest and the first to have selectable drive modes, including ‘Drift Mode’, and launch control. In this video, Ford called up on former Stig, Ben Collins, to demonstrate the Focus RS drive modes, especially the rubber-burning Drift setting.

Chassis features exclusive to the Focus RS include sports suspension with stiffer spring rates – increased by 33 per cent front and 38 per cent rear – and more efficient anti-roll-bars than those found in the Focus ST, and two-mode switchable dampers, which offer a 40 percent firmer Sport setting for track driving. A carefully tuned electric power-assisted steering system, working in combination with an optimized front suspension knuckle design and shorter steering link arms, delivers responsive steering with outstanding feel. Additional stiffening of the rear subframe and rear body structure were applied to increase overall torsional stiffness by 23 percent compared to a standard Focus model.

2016 Ford Focus RS

Historically, previous RS models were not made available to the U.S. market. This is no longer the case. Ford says the 2016 Focus RS will be sold in 42 countries worldwide, including North America arriving Spring 2016.

Want to learn more? Watch this TFLcar “everything you ever wanted to know” video that’s all about the “I can’t wait for it to get here!” 2016 Ford Focus RS.