The Ford Focus RS is a heavily-modified version of the Ford Focus produced by Ford Werke of Germany. The first generation Focus RS had a production run from 2002 to 2003 and was built as a successor to the Ford Escort RS Cosworth.
The Ford Focus RS has the aura of the Ford legendary World Rally Car that was driven by superstar drivers like François Delecour and Colin McRae.
The First Generation Ford Focus RS didn't share an identical drivetrain and didn’t pack as much power as its WRC ancestor, but that didn't take much from the car, as it was quite impressive, and it was a delight to see and to drive.
While Europe enjoyed the awesomeness of the First Generation Ford Focus RS offered, sadly, its homologation for North America never came.
We will look at what stands out in Europe's first generation of the ultimate Focus performance car, the Ford Focus RS, and why we feel North America missed out on something extraordinary by not getting it on its market while Europe had it all to itself.
Overview Of The 1st-Gen Ford Focus RS
The development of the Ford Focus RS was a collaborative effort of mainstream Ford engineers and Tickford engineering, a company based in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom. Ford planned to make it a racing Focus, but the plan was later changed. However, the RS moniker (Rallye Sport badge) that went to bed with the Ford Escort Cosworth RS was revived with this hot hatch.
The car was first made available for the public to see at the Birmingham International motor show in 2000, and the version that will be rolled out of the production line was revealed at the 2001 Geneva Motor Show.
Before the production version was eventually agreed on, the Ford Focus RS had 12 development prototypes and 26 pre-production vehicles.
The Ford Focus RS had a limited production run — production started in October 2002 and ended in November 2003 — only 4501 units were made.
The RS wasn’t just the upgrade and performance-based Ford Focus by name. Ford made sure it was worth its hype. After the car was rolled out of Ford’s Saarlouis plant in Saarland, Germany, each car was sent to the ACÜ group at Überhern for some specialist touch.
The car had just 30% of the Ford Focus mechanicals and components.
Initially, Ford was an American company, but It has grown over the years into a multinational company. As a result, some of its wings outside North America may decide to introduce a model for its locality or produce a halo version of a car and have it all to themselves — a typical example of eating their cakes and still having it.
The Ford Fiesta, Escort, Fiesta, Focus, and others grace the American road; even the first generation Focus RS predecessor, the RS Cosworth, found its way to American roads through some third parties. Nevertheless, the Focus RS remained a European thing and an American dream.
More than half of the units produced stayed in the UK while the rest found their way to about 20 other European countries.
You may ask, what did North America miss out on in these halo cars?
Powertrain And Drivetrain Of The Ford RS
Under the hood is a 2.0-liter Duratec DOHC four-cylinder engine, enhanced with a single Garett AiResearch turbocharged rated at 212 horsepower and 229 lb.ft of torque. The engine is paired with a manual 5-speed Ford MTX-75 transmission. The car has a claimed top speed of 143 mph and an 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds.
Other components that made the Ford Focus RS truly impressive include the lightweight O.Z Alloy wheels and a Quaife ATB differentials; these, coupled with the standard Brembo braking systems, have a braking force of 1.0G.
The Ford Focus RS Has The WRC DNA
The Ford Focus RS isn't just a regular hot hatch. It is inspired by full-breed Ford World Rally cars.
A look at the interior and exterior design cues of the Ford Focus RS will give out its sporty identity — even regular eyes will know that there is something special about the hot hatch.
Some stand-out features are the rally-styled bucket seats which aren't a regular sight in production cars, and the use of a large rear diffuser and vents as well as its unique front grille.
The first generation Ford Focus RS isn't just a body with nothing to show for it. Instead, it had the power and sporty styling to match the hype.
More On The 1st-Gen Ford Focus RS
What more can make us happy than getting a car that retains its value? The first generation Ford Focus RS still goes for around the amount it was sold when it first came out — around $30,000 — though if we factor in inflation over the years, we may find out the value has taken a little hit. However, it is still a good deal if we consider the value retention rate of other hot hatchbacks.
No kidding, the first generation Ford Focus RS with its sporty aura and exclusive status, has all the potential to be a classic that commands a considerable amount of money some day; only Europe can share in the glory.