Newest Focus RS gets cosmetic and performance upgrades to close out the current generation of the European Ford model

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="410"]1985 Sierra RS Cosworth 1985 Sierra RS Cosworth[/caption]

Newest RS500

Here at LotPro.com we see where Ford, today, took the wraps off what is to be the exclamation point to the current generation Focus. Due to make its debut at the 2010 Leipzig Motor Show on April 9th, the latest and greatest Focus RS has been given the RS500 moniker in a nod to the 80’s-era Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth that dominated the latter half of the 1987 World Touring Car Championships, winning 5 of the last 6 races that year.

Like its namesake, the latest Ford to wear the RS500 badge will be limited to a model run of 500. And once again, North American drivers can scratch this one off their wish lists as distribution will be limited to 20 European markets with the U.K. given the lion’s share with 101 vehicles allocated to the British market alone, Ford of Europe’s largest customer base.

Performance

The Focus, shall we say, of the latest upgrades to Ford’s hottest hatch is the engine compartment. Like its namesake, the Sierra RS500 Cosworth, Ford engineers concentrated on the engine’s breathing by installing a larger air-to-air intercooler, a larger air filter box, a larger diameter exhaust downpipe as well as a more powerful fuel pump. The engine management system’s software was also re-calibrated in order to optimize the more freer-breathing engine’s performance.

The engine’s improved breathing has allowed us to increase power without having to raise turbo boost pressure significantly,” explained Gunnar Herrmann, Ford’s global C-car vehicle line director. “This has made it possible to enhance peak performance while maintaining the excellent driveability, fuel consumption and emissions of the standard Focus RS.

Peak horsepower stands at 345 at 6,000 rpm, up 44 hp from the standard RS, while torque has been increased from 324 to 339 lb.-ft. through a fairly wide band of 2,500 - 4,500 rpm. According to Ford, preliminary figures indicate the latest RS variant accelerates from 0 to 60 in 5.4 seconds and from naught to 100 in 12.2 seconds with a maximum speed of 165 mph.

Any color as long as it’s black

Ford has also seen fit to dial up the visual intimidation factor as the RS500 has been given a color scheme fit for a stealth fighter. All copies will be painted in standard “Panther Black” metallic, from whence they’ll be shipped to a 3M facility near Frankfurt where a special film foil will be applied to create a matte black effect. Designed to resist marks and scratches, a dedicated network of 3M “agents” will be available to European Ford dealers to replace the film in the event of body damage to any RS500.

A set of four metallic alloy wheels will match the body’s finish, while the lower front grill and splitter as well as the dual blade rear spoiler and rear venturi will be painted in gloss black. The all-black look is offset by small touches of color – red brake calipers, blue RS body badges and a single red and blue RS500 badge on the tailgate.

Inside, portions of the dash fascia have been given a carbon fiber look, along with a hand-engraved number plate identifying which of the 500 that model happens to be. The interior will also feature the only two available options for the RS500 – a pair of red full leather Recaro racing seats than can be ordered to replace the standard leather-trimmed Recaros and a touchscreen DVD navigation and audio system.

Other standard features that are optional on the more plebian Focus RS include such niceties as dual-zone air conditioning, rear parking sensors, auto headlights and rain-sensing wipers, key-free start, Bluetooth connectivity, a Sony 6-disc audio system as well as the aforementioned “base” leather-trimmed front Recaro seats.

Availability

We know that you can’t get one over here in The States, but in any case, Ford plans on production of the RS500 to commence at its Saarlouis plant in May and finish sometime in September of this year.

Since there will be such a limited number of vehicles built, the company has developed a special web site at www.focusrs500.com, where customers and “enthusiasts” can track the projected number of vehicles for various markets as well as download images and video clips. It will also provide links to national Ford web sites where customers can identify selling dealers and pricing information.