Ford has released the full technical specs for the new Focus RS - the FoMoCo's new flagship hot hatch.
Powered by a five-cylinder 2.5-litre petrol engine, the Focus RS outputs 302bhp at 6500rpm and develops 324lb-ft of torque between 2300rpm and 4500rpm.
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Those figures mean a top speed of 163mph and 62mph sprint time of 5.9 seconds. Fuel consumption is – relatively speaking – a fairly respectable 30mpg, though CO2 figures are a hefty 225g/km, meaning an annual road tax bill of £215 in 2009 and £345 from 2010.
Anyone buying the Focus RS new from April 2010 will also pay a showroom tax, meaning an initial bill of £550 and £345 per annum thereafter.
To create the RS Duratec, Ford completely reengineered the ST engine, with a revised cylinder head gasket, ultra-durable metal sprayed cylinder bores, revised pistons and a bespoke camshaft profile and connecting rods. A new turbocharger gives double the boost pressure of the Focus ST's.
All of the RS's power is transmitted through a bespoke six-speed Ford RS transmission
Underpinning the RS is a Macpherson strut set-up at the front with RevoKnuckle mounts designed to negate toqure steer in front-wheel drive models.
Transmitting the torque to the road is a Quaife helical limited-slip diff. At the back there a modified Control Blade independent suspension.
Standard wheels are 19-inch alloys with 235/35 Continental tyres. Stopping those wheels are 336mm x 30mm ventilated front discs gripped by single 60mm piston calipers.
The Focus RS safety package includes standard ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, ESP and a rigid passenger safety cell. Among the interior safety systems are driver and passenger front airbags, side curtain airbags and pyrotechnic belt pre-tensioners protecting front and rear occupants.
The Focus RS is likely to cost just upwards of £25K when it goes on sale in the UK in March. Expect the Subaru Impreza WRX STI and Mitsubishi Lancer performance derivatives to be main competitors.