Ford Focus RS500, we drive it first

How lucky were we motoring media types gathered by Ford of Britain to the Goodwood Moving Motor Show and then given the opportunity to drive the very scarce new Focus RS500 on the track past Goodwood house and up the famous hillclimb course.

The RS500 had no trouble diverting the gazes from over 20,000 spectators on 1 July at the Moving Motor Show held the day before the Goodwood Festival of Speed.  Dubbed the world’s fastest motor show, the RS500  mixed with other exotic models  such as the BMW  B3 Alpina, Audi R8 V10, BMW’s M models, Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette, Ferrari 599GTB, Jaguar XKR, Mercedes AMGs and others from Citroen Nissan, Morgan, Peugeot, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Volvo and hybrids from Honda and Toyota.

Billed as the ultimate performance Ford, the limited edition Ford Focus RS500 with its turbocharged 2.5-litre, five cylinder, tuned 350PS, 460Nm petrol engine is strictly limited to a run of 500 vehicles, all carrying their suitable serial number.  Out of this total for 20 European markets, the UK will receive the largest share but still only 101 vehicles and all were sold in a week.  Orders were five times oversubscribed but the first lucky owners will get their matt black machines imminently.

It’s rude to ask, but since you will, the price for this ultimate three door Focus is £35,450 and there is only one extra cost option available, touchscreen DVD Navigation, adds £1,250. There is still a handful of regular Focus RS 305PS cars available priced at £27,895 plus options.  These high performance models come at the end of the life of the current Focus range with a new line-up of volume sales models due early next year.

Confusing I think that Ford introduces this ‘halo’ version at the end of the life for current Focus, why not introduce RS versions at the beginning so the ‘halo’ effect is always there?  Not a question I got an answer to.

To provide the RS500 with a fitting power unit, the 305 PS turbocharged Duratec RS
2.5-litre engine from the standard Focus RS has been upgraded to deliver significantly more top-end and mid-range power, but without compromising the base engine’s strength and responsiveness at lower revs. Power is up by 15%.

Peak power is increased by 45PS to 350PS at 6,000rpm, while torque has been increased from 440 to 460Nm, delivered across a broad speed range from 2,500 to 4,500rpm.

To achieve the required balance of muscular mid-range and top-end performance, the engine has benefitted from a comprehensive package of enhancements aimed at improving the engine’s breathing and combustion.

The changes include a significantly larger air-to-air intercooler to deliver a cooler, denser charge, a larger air filter box for increased airflow, larger diameter exhaust downpipe and an uprated fuel pump, along with an updated software calibration to optimise the performance of the revised engine.

Preliminary performance figures for the Focus RS500 indicate that it achieves 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds, with a top speed similar to the standard RS of 165mph. 

A key factor in the success of the latest generation Focus RS has been its advanced front wheel drive chassis, which combines a wider track, the unique ‘RevoKnuckle’ front suspension design and a Quaife helical limited slip differential to deliver responsive steering, outstanding traction and a minimum of unwanted torque steer.

The same chassis design has proved equally effective in handling the increased torque levels of the Focus RS500, and the specification is unchanged for this application, helping to retain the same sporting and responsive dynamic character which is central to the appeal of the acclaimed standard Focus RS.

The high-performance braking system, and the 19-inch wheels and 235/35/R19 tyres, are also carried over unchanged from the standard vehicle, although red brake calipers and a dramatic black finish for the alloy wheels are unique to the RS500.

The development programme included a dedicated endurance test at the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany, where Ford TeamRS engineers were joined by three Ford-employed racing drivers working in shifts to complete 10,000km of non-stop driving, equivalent to competing in ten consecutive Nürburgring 24-hour races without a break.

The standard Focus RS already creates a lasting impression with its functional yet striking design, but the unique matt black 'foil' paint finish of the Focus RS500 makes this limited edition car even more special.

Stunning matt black bodywork is combined with matching metallic black alloy wheels, and the gloss black finish of the trapezoidal lower front grille and splitter, twin-blade rear spoiler and the rear venturi, which manages airflow beneath the rear of the car.

Small flashes of colour around the vehicle – including the red brake calipers, blue RS badges, and the special blue and red RS500 badge on the tailgate – only serve to emphasise the car’s unique appearance.

With its dramatic black finish and imposing stance, this car really is mean, moody and magnificent!”

The matt black foil finish for the RS500 was developed in partnership with the technology company 3M, which specialises in advanced film products for the automotive industry.

All Focus RS500 vehicles are painted in a standard Panther Black metallic colour, before being shipped to a dedicated 3M facility near Frankfurt, Germany, where a special foil film is applied to the bodywork to create the matt black effect.

Attention to detail on the RS500 exterior is also reflected inside the car, with a series of special features which are unique to this limited edition model.

The centre console is distinguished by the car's individually-numbered metal plaque, and by a unique carbon-effect finish to the bezel which carries a distinctive RS pattern.

In contrast to the blue detailing on the standard Focus RS, the RS500 features a special red colour scheme, notably on the stitching of the leather trim on the steering wheel, door trim and gear lever gaiter, and on the floor mats.

Customers also have the option of specifying the bespoke Recaro front sports seats in full red leather, to further enhance the visual impact.

In addition to the comprehensive equipment levels on the standard Focus RS, the RS500 includes the following features as standard: Dual-zone automatic climate control, heated windscreen, rear parking distance sensors, tyre deflation detection system, automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers, auto dimming rear-view mirror, Ford key-free start, enhanced connectivity with Bluetooth, voice control and USB port, Sony 6-CD audio system, and Recaro sports front seats with partial leather trim.

So there I am, first motoring journalist to drive the RS500 from the Festival of Speed start line, past Goodwood House and up the famous hillclimb course. Push the start button and off we go but with the very severe words of the organisers ringing in my eyes, no showing off, no handbrake turns, no doughnuts, a  drive more in keeping with a parade and showing off the most stunning production RS ever.

Hard of the line the exhaust tone is glorious, the wheels spin slightly, there is minimal torque-steer through the front wheels, brake hard for first bend under the gaze of ever watchful Marshals. Round the corner and another burst of speed, listen to the exhaust tone and the blip as a change gear, I fiddle between the full auto and sequential six-speed gearbox options, sweep through the next corners, all at a lively but limited speed, but the car is poised, never unsettled with good balance under what little braking is required, press the throttle more, up the ever narrowing hill and between the unbroken lines of straw bales and within a few seconds it’s all over. Time to use the tree lined winding track back to the start area where another eager Journo is waiting to take the car of my hands.

Glorious Goodwood indeed.  Focus RS500 carrying its 002 production number plate  will I hope now be added to Ford’s heritage collection of RS models through the ages and who knows just maybe I might get another drive  as I was a good boy and heeded all the warnings.

MILESTONES. Ford Focus RS500 3-Door, serial number 002. Price: £35,450 but all are sold.  Engine/transmission: 2.5-litre, 5-cylinders, 350PS, 460Nm of torque from 2,500rpm, intercooler with turbocharger petrol, auto/sequential gearbox, front wheel drive. Performance: 165mph 0-62mph 5.6 seconds. For: Stunning ‘stealth’ looks with its matt black paintwork, power and torque for first class responsiveness, still refined power delivery to make it nice to drive at low speeds as well, not silly money and just wonderful. Against: Can we have another RS 350PS version in the new Focus range at the start of its life – not the end please? Miles Better News Agency – Girlracer Magazine