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A full product specification, road-ready version of the Ford Focus RS, inspired by Ford's World Rally Championship car is soon to be available to enthusiasts in the UK!

I was fortunate enough to attend an unveiling of the Ford Focus RS at Boreham in Essex on the 26th of May 2001. This proved to be a very interesting morning as not only did I have an opportunity to see the most up-to-date version of the Focus RS but many useful questions were asked by the gathered audience who incidentally mainly consisted of RSOC members and enthusiasts!

As you can see it looks VERY impressive, and Fords attention to detail is quite superb.

While the Focus RS is clearly derived from the standard production model, around 70 per cent of the basic components have been changed or re-engineered.

This means that this version of the Focus looks more agressive than ever with mesh styling filling up the front valance nicely as well as air ducts mounted at either corner to aid air flow / cooling.

The Focus RS will come with no factory options and no colour choices. However, it does come fully spec'd, as air conditioning, full race interior, cd player and the other usual higher end specification gadgets will come with it. The only colour available will be Fords racing blue...but it looks fantastic!

The final output is still not known...although Ford have released a figure of over 200bhp which will be quite substantial. In order to aid stopping the Focus RS, Ford have fitted Brembo 325mm ventilated discs and four-pot callipers which will provide vice-like retardation at all speeds.

There are many other great features to this car...The Quaife automatic torque-biasing differential for example, a quick rack 2.9 turn lock to lock sterring rack, Sachs racing dampers and matched springs and not to mention the 18" OZ Racing light alloy wheels fitted with 225/40R18 Michelin low profile tyres developed specifically for Focus RS!

All in all a very impressive package that looks amazing and if what we are told is true, will handle, stop and go even better!

Focus RS's current release date for the UK is 4th quarter...no price has been confirmed to date although presumably it will be priced competitively to enable direct competiton with the likes of the Subaru Impreza.