The Europe-only pocket rocket does not come out until early next year, but that has not stopped 1,000 Britons from placing their orders. Almost half, Ford said, are requesting the Electric Green color worn by the show car. The Focus RS debuted earlier at the London auto show with a turbocharged 2.5-liter I-5 pushed to 295 hp and 302 lb-ft of torque. For reference, the 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution comes in at 291 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, meaning the Focus is, at least on paper, in some very elite company. Ford has not given the Focus all-wheel drive, but has instead created a new system they call the “Revo-Knuckle,” which it says completely cures torque steer.
Unfortunately, no amount of English enthusiasm is likely to improve our chances of getting the RS stateside. We can only hope the promise of One Ford means we won’t have to sit on the sidelines the next time something this neat comes to market.