Ford has announced that the first Focus RS has rolled off the production line at its factory in Saarlouis, western Germany.
To help celebrate the beginning of production Ford has released yet another video with, this time, ex-Stig Ben Collins behind the wheel. He explains the four driving modes all Focus RS models come standard with, including ‘drift mode’ that leads to plenty of gratuitous slides.
Set to arrive here in Australia around June this year, pricing for the Focus RS has already been announced at just $50,990 -- $6000 cheaper than its VW Golf R rival.
For that money you get a 257kW/440Nm 2.3-litre turbocharged four and all-wheel drive that helps the Focus RS accelerate, from standstill, to 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds.
Standard equipment levels are high, with 19-inch cast alloys, keyless entry/start, bi-xenon headlights, SYNC 2, a nine-speaker audio system with Bluetooth music streaming, satellite-navigation, dual-zone climate-control and Recaro seats all standard.
On the options list lie 19-inch forged alloys with performance tyres that cost $2500.
Ford claims its ‘drift mode’, demonstrated in the video, is an ‘industry first’ as it allows controlled oversteer drifts. The new drive mode also provides a launch mode as well.