Ladies and gents that like their compact hatchbacks fast, the era of the hyper hatch is upon us. After the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG and Audi RS3, the Blue Oval followed suit with the 2016 Ford Focus RS. Since it was presented in February, we all had a single curiosity about this car: the performance it’s churning out from the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-banger turbo.
Without further ado, prepare for a wild ride: 350 PS (257 kW or 345 HP in American money) and 470 Nm (346 lb-ft) of all-wheel drive torque. Mind you, that level of torque is available for up to 15 seconds if the overboost function kicks in under hard acceleration. In normal driving scenarios, max oomph is 440 Nm (324 lb-ft) from 2,000 to 4,500 rpm. That’s fine with us.
According to FoMoCo, the 2.3-liter EcoBoost has been tuned to deliver low-end responsiveness, mid-range bite and a free-revving top-end up to the 6,800 rpm limiter. It’s not the type of turbo engine that howls and scares the wildlife when you’re in Ken Block mode, but it’s no slouch either, not by a long shot.
There’s no word on 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) or any other all-important performance figures at the present moment, but prepare for more intel at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where Ken Block will drive the hyper hatch on Lord March’s domain. With all-wheel drive and dynamic torque vectoring, joined by Launch Control, Drift Mode, and selectable driving modes, the 2016 Ford Focus RS has what it needs to pull a monumental time on the Goodwood Festival’s hill climb.
Dave Pericak, the Ford Performance division’s numero uno, is chuffed to bits about the all-new Ford Focus RS: “This very special 2.3-liter EcoBoost unit will inspire drivers as they feel the surge of the turbo, and reward them as they take it to the red line – all delivered with a visceral sound guaranteed to put a smile on your face.”
According to FoMoCo, the 2.3-liter EcoBoost has been tuned to deliver low-end responsiveness, mid-range bite and a free-revving top-end up to the 6,800 rpm limiter. It’s not the type of turbo engine that howls and scares the wildlife when you’re in Ken Block mode, but it’s no slouch either, not by a long shot.
There’s no word on 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) or any other all-important performance figures at the present moment, but prepare for more intel at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where Ken Block will drive the hyper hatch on Lord March’s domain. With all-wheel drive and dynamic torque vectoring, joined by Launch Control, Drift Mode, and selectable driving modes, the 2016 Ford Focus RS has what it needs to pull a monumental time on the Goodwood Festival’s hill climb.
Dave Pericak, the Ford Performance division’s numero uno, is chuffed to bits about the all-new Ford Focus RS: “This very special 2.3-liter EcoBoost unit will inspire drivers as they feel the surge of the turbo, and reward them as they take it to the red line – all delivered with a visceral sound guaranteed to put a smile on your face.”