Focus RS500

Piers Ward reports back live from Germany as he tackles Ford's hardest hot hatch, the 350bhp Focus RS500.

Phew, no rain. Showers are always a risk in Eifel mountains, which is where we're driving today, but fortunately it's a scorcher. Dry weather is crucial to this Ford Focus RS500 - 350bhp and 340lb ft fed through the front wheels is going to make traction a rare commodity, even on smooth tarmac.

The RS500 is the run-out special to the RS Focus. Five-hundred cars will be built, and 101 are destined for the UK. First though, the bad news: all of them have sold out. And that's despite the RS500 costing a whopping £35,650.

• Comfort

  OK, so this isn't the kind of car that'll soothe a broken back because the ride can get fairly nibbly, but it's not half bad considering the performance potential. Heavy clutch is pretty much offset by an easy gearbox (nicked from the ST) and general familiarity - it's ‘just a Focus' in a lot of ways. That Volvo five-pot has a fantastic spread of torque and you can cruise quite easily, and the seats feel upright, but are pretty comfy over distance.

To give you an idea of just how popular this car is, Ford's dedicated RS500 website was hacked four days before it was due to go live. In those four days, before the car even officially existed, enough people had beaten down the door of their local dealer demanding a RS500 that Ford could have sold the 101 cars several times over.

• Performance

  Oh yes. There's 300hp on tap from 2.5 litres and five-cylinders, though it's the mid-range and general useable grunt that's the impressive bit. Still, 0-62mph in under six seconds and 160+mph top speed isn't half bad for a hot hatch. The torque is the key. The RS has plenty in the right places - third gear overtakes are a wonder.

  
  

Oh, and a word of warning. Not that the Focus RS was ever a car for a bloke who didn't want to be noticed, but prepare to be hassled a lot in the RS500. We took the car to the Nurburgring 24 Hours Race, and I lost count of the number of camera phones pointed at us. It was almost enough to make me feel a tinge of sympathy for a b-list celeb.

• Cool

• Let's be honest, when you're in the mood, the wide arches, turbo chatter and big wing can be brilliant fun. But it can also be a bit vulgar. It's a wee bit boy racer, appeals to the younger crowd and in the wrong colour can feel a bit desperate for attention. But when you realise that it has the mouth to match the trousers, it all ceases to matter.

To get the power to 350bhp, Ford has tweaked the ECU, changed the exhaust to give a better flow of air and increased the power of the fuel pump. Other than that, this RS500 is exactly the same as the standard RS, apart from the Batman-spec matt-black wrap on the bodywork.

• Quality

  The money was spent making the Focus RS go faster, so there's not much to write home about in terms of interior special-ness. Then again, there's not that much wrong with a stock Focus - it's just that some blue bits, a couple of boost gauges and rally seats do not the height of chic make. It hangs together well enough and doesn't squeak. Really, who cares when you can go this fast for £25k?

It's some tribute to the basic Focus that this RS500 still works brilliantly well. Sure, you'll have to drive it carefully over a bumpy back road, or when it rains. But on a good day, with the sun shining and the birds singing, the RS500 is magic.

• Handling

• Sublime, but you'll have to get used to the RS's driving style. The new version of the torque-vectoring diff works so much better than the old car's, and it's a real surprise that you can actually access that 300bp for 85 per cent of the time, even on a bumpy road. Flat, hard, great brakes; the RS loves to be thrashed. It demands that you drive it hard and then revels in it - a proper driver's car.
  

Honestly, 350bhp in a front-wheel drive car feels manageable. Before I came on the launch, I thought driving this car would be a lesson in self-restraint, but not a bit of it. You can be as much of a hooligan in this thing as you'd hope. It doesn't feel under-braked or like the 350bhp has altered the brilliant balance of the chassis.

Practicality

Actually, when all's said and done, it's just a two-door Focus. So there's plenty of room, even though getting into the back seats is a bit of a pain with the front seats taking up so much space. Boot's good though (Focus-sized!)... and, er.

thanks to topgear.com

Ford Focus RS 500 review and prices in US, EU, UK

2010 Ford Focus RS 500 is another way how to squeeze some more money from the generally boring second generation Ford Focus family hatchback. Ford Focus RS 500 will be regular three doors Focus with some really nice make up, some extra openings on the hood for the increased air flow and some masculine engine. For some people this will be reason to buy the second generation Focus instead of waiting for the third generation Ford Focus.

• Running costs

  Since testing the RS we've discovered that it actually records higher mpg figures than the lower-powered ST. So expect over 30 on a run and early twenties in town, with teens when you thrash it. There's a year-long waiting list, so residuals are set to be high, and insurance is somewhere just under the stratosphere. It'll probably eat front tyres too - and at a couple of hundred quid a hoop for the good stuff, that's worth noting.

What is the catch?

Ford Focus RS 500 is going to be manufactured only in 500 copies, which any of the produced RS500 will be marked with a serial number (we can also say that 500 regular 3 door Focus cars will get some extra make up).

What is new (what is old): The recipe of making the Ford Focus RS500 is very simple. The producers are taking regular Ford Focus RS and make some minor changes on the 305bhp 2.5 liters Volvo sourced engine. The changes on the engine will be made by Mountune, a specialized tuning company based in Great Brittan. The new engine will have 345bhp which is some 15% more than the regular engine. The torque of this 345bhp 2.5 liters Volvo/Mountune engine will be 460 Nm instead of 440 Nm of the regular engine. New Ford Focus 500 will also have larger intercooler which will feed the engine with colder and dancer air. Did we mention a new fuel pump? Yes, the new fuel pump will also be fitted for extra performance. The Revo Knuckle front suspension system stays the same as on the regular Ford Focus RS and the Quaife limited-slip differential is going to stay too. Also an old air-conditioning from the regular RS is going in the new RS 500 as parking sensors and Recaro seats. All Ford Focus RS 500 will be fitted with 19 inch wheels and unique matte black paint (producer of the paint is 3M, the giant in the chemical industry) which I must say it looks great. With the new Ford Focus RS 500 optionally the new owners can get a touch screen DVD, GPS Sat-Navigation and luxury red leather seats.

Result: New Ford Focus RS 500 can go from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 66mph) in only 5.6 seconds. This is only 3/10 seconds faster than regular Ford Focus RS. Top speed of the new Ford Focus RS500 will be 263 km/h or 163mph.

Price: Now, only for the people with strong heart and even stronger wallet. The price of the new Ford Focus RS 500 is going to be near 39.000 Euro or £34,000. In good old US dollars the price tag will be around $50.000.

Ford Focus RS500 review:

A new and powerful limited edition Focus RS model, called the RS500, is being launched as the ultimate performance Ford and will provide the definitive driving experience for serious performance car enthusiasts.

Making its global debut at the 2010 Leipzig Motor Show in Germany on April 9, the new model has been given the RS500 designation to highlight its strictly-limited production run of 500 individually-numbered vehicles, all of which will be offered for customers to purchase.

The new Focus RS500 features a muscular 350 PS 2.5-litre 5-cylinder engine, which generates 15 per cent more power than the standard Focus RS and delivers truly exhilarating performance.

The RS500�s breathtaking power is matched by an equally dramatic appearance. The limited edition model sports a unique matt black 'foil' paint finish with matching alloy wheels to deliver a powerful visual impact which is unlike any other production Ford.

"We were determined to mark the end of production for the current and acclaimed Focus RS with something even more special," said Joe Bakaj, Ford of Europe's vice president for Product Development. "From its stunning looks to its intoxicating performance, we have no doubt that the RS500 will be appreciated and quickly snapped up by performance car enthusiasts.
"This vehicle joins a long line of iconic RS Fords and is a worthy recipient of the RS500 name, which became synonymous with success on the road and track with the legendary Sierra RS500 Cosworth that dominated saloon car racing during the late 1980s," Bakaj added.

Strictly Limited Production Run of 500 Individually Numbered Vehicles

The RS500 marks the end of production for the current generation Focus RS, with the last vehicles scheduled to leave Ford�s Saarlouis Assembly Plant in Germany during September 2010. While overwhelming customer demand has ensured that total Focus RS output is expected to exceed 11,000 units (significantly more than the 7,000 to 8,000 originally forecast), production of the RS500 will start at Ford's Saarlouis plant in Germany during May and will be strictly limited to 500 customer vehicles for twenty European markets.
Each RS500 will carry a metal plaque on the centre console, hand-engraved with a unique identification number from 001 to 500.

A small number of pre-production vehicles produced for internal Ford use � such as product development or press demonstrators � will have their own unique numbering scheme, to ensure the exclusivity of the 500 customer cars.

Demand for the RS500 is expected to exceed supply by a considerable margin, and the full production run of just 500 vehicles is being allocated across 20 European markets in line with the anticipated level of interest. For some countries, the very small number of vehicles allocated means the RS500 will, indeed, be a very exclusive purchase for its customers.

A dedicated website � www.focusrs500.com � will allow customers and enthusiasts to gain further information, including projected quantities of available vehicles by market, plus access to download photography and video clips. The site will also provide links to national Ford websites so customers can identify dealers and prices.
Focus RS also has its own Facebook page � www.facebook.com/fordfocusrs � with more than 13,500 fans from across the world, and RS500 launch activities will be shared on this site.

Upgraded 350 PS Powertrain

"The more urgent engine sound and sheer thrust of the mid-range performance tell the driver immediately that this is not a standard Focus RS," said Gunnar Herrmann, Ford�s Global C-Car Vehicle Line Director. "With 15 per cent more power and the same gutsy, sporting character, our new powertrain gives the RS500 the special engine it deserves."
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.

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.

"The engine�s improved breathing has allowed us to increase power without having to raise turbo boost pressure significantly," explained Herrmann. "This has made it possible to enhance peak performance while maintaining the excellent driveability, fuel consumption and emissions of the standard Focus RS."

Preliminary performance figures for the Focus RS500 indicate that it achieves 0-100km/h in 5.6 seconds, with a top speed similar to the 263 km/h in the standard RS.

Engineered by Performance Car Enthusiasts

The Focus RS500 engine has been modified by a team enthusiast engineers from Ford TeamRS in partnership with Revolve Technologies, the automotive engineering firm which develops Ford approved performance upgrades through its Mountune brand.

The shared development and testing programme ensured that the 350 PS Duratec RS engine achieved the specified performance targets while also delivering the standards of durability and serviceability expected by Ford RS customers.

The comprehensive engineering details already developed for the 305 PS Focus RS engine � including a revised cylinder head gasket, ultra-durable metal sprayed cylinder bores, revised pistons and new connecting rods � have ensured that no further mechanical changes were required to cope with the increased performance of the 350 PS RS500 unit.

Advanced Front Wheel Drive Chassis

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.

Performance Tested to the Limit

In recognition of the extreme performance potential of the Focus RS500, the limited edition model has been subjected to a series of concentrated durability tests which have focused on the car�s track capabilities.

The development programme included a dedicated endurance test at the infamous N�rburgring 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 N�rburgring 24-hour races without a break.
"We wanted to be sure that serious enthusiasts could drive the Focus RS500 to the limit on track, without any concerns about the car�s stamina," said Matthias Tonn, Focus RS500 Chief Programme Engineer. "This meant going beyond our standard test routines, and pushing the car to the edge of its performance envelope. After 500 non-stop laps of the N�rburgring, we are very confident of its durability and delighted at the way it performed, with an 8-minute lap time within reach".

Unique Matt Black 'Foil' Paint Finish for Maximum Visual Impact

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.

"We deliberately set out to ensure that the Focus RS500 looks like no other production vehicle," added Tonn. "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 will be painted in a standard Panther Black metallic colour, before being shipped to a dedicated 3M facility near Frankfurt, Germany, where a special foil film will be applied to the bodywork to create the matt black effect.

The film is extremely durable, and is specifically designed to resist superficial marks and scratches in automotive applications. In the event of damage to the bodywork, Ford dealers will be fully supported by a Europe-wide network of 3M agents who can replace the film on the affected panels.

Special Focus RS500 Interior Detailing

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.

Premium Specification for All Vehicles

All Focus RS500 vehicles will be equipped to a very high specification as standard, with only two features available as optional items. 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
Recaro sports front seats with partial leather trim
The two optional features are touchscreen DVD navigation and audio system, and the full leather Recaro front seats in red.

"We believe that customers lucky enough to secure one of the limited edition Focus RS500 models will be getting a real collectors item," said Joe Bakaj. "From its stunning looks, to its immense driver appeal and its complete specification, the Focus RS500 provides enthusiasts with the ultimate performance Ford for the road."

End of Ford Focus RS500 review.