![]() Punching out 257kW of power at 6000rpm and 440Nm of torque from 1600-5000rpm, the Focus RS Limited Edition channels its outputs through a six-speed manual gearbox down to all four wheels.įord says the hot hatch is good for a zero to 100km/h time of just 4.7 seconds with launch control activated, and while we never had proper timing gear to prove this claim, the Focus RS Limited Edition certainly feels pretty brisk off the line. The centrepiece of the Focus RS Limited Edition package, Ford’s go-fast hatchback is powered by a turbocharged 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder petrol engine – the same unit found under the bonnet of the entry-level Mustang, albeit with a less aggressive tune. The remainder of the touch points are fantastic in Ford’s hottest hatch as well, with a thin leather steering wheel, intuitive and large infotainment touchscreen and notchy gear shifter.ĭoor trims and the dashboard can feel a little too economy hatchback rather than near-$60,000 sportcar, but most of the cost will be due to the cracker powertrain, which brings us to our next point… ![]() Some will say the seats are positioned a little too high, and while that’s true, we don’t mind the higher-set pews as they offer great all-round visibility. The usual sliding and tilting functions are in place, but there is no way to alter any other aspects, and with a single piece back, there is no headrest movement. Swathed in Alcantara and well bolstered in the hip and shoulder regions, the seats unfortunately offer little support for the lower back and lack comprehensive adjustability. ![]() However, of note is the Focus RS’ compromised boot space, which drops from 316 litres down to 260L due to the more complex all-wheel drive running gear.Īs previously mentioned, the Focus RS Limited Edition gains Recaro bucket seats – which were an option on the standard car – and while the new pews look the business, they are a little too flat and firm for our liking, an uncomfortable trait that is especially evident on longer drives. Tall adults may struggle in the middle rear seat, but the benefits of utilising a practical hatchback as a basis is clearly evident. Measuring 4390mm long, 1823mm wide, 1480mm high with a 2648mm wheelbase and based on the third-generation Focus small car, the RS Limited Edition boasts plenty of head-, shoulder- and legroom in all seats. The Limited Edition denotes only 500 examples to be built for Australia, all of which are finished in Ford Performance’s signature Nitrous Blue, while the hardcore Recaro bucket seats also feature inside with the same coloured accents.Īlthough gear is sparse compared with some competitors, the Focus RS Limited Edition takes more of a functional philosophy when it comes to equipment rather than a flashy one, as everything you could want in a car is included without any standout or headline features. The Limited Edition version gains a Quaife helical limited-slip differential (LSD), 19-inch wheels shod in sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, tinted rear windows and autonomous emergency braking (AEB), as well as a black-coloured rear spoiler, mirror caps and roof. When it launched in July, 2016, the Focus RS was one of the sharpest and most rewarding steers available for circa-$50,000, but the Limited Edition version tested here adds more kit for more money.ĭoes Ford do enough in the Focus RS Limited Edition to keep it competitive against the crowded hot hatch market?įord’s Focus RS Limited Edition is priced at $56,990 before on-road costs, $6000 pricier than the standard RS it replaces, but the good news is there are no options to drive up the price further.Īs standard, the flagship Focus is equipped with an 8.0-inch Sync3 infotainment touchscreen display with satellite navigation and smartphone support, digital radio, nine-speaker sound system, dual-zone climate control, dashboard-mounted sports gauges, keyless entry and push-button start and bi-Xenon headlights. Meanwhile, Ford continues with its Focus ST and flagship RS – both based on the soon-to-be-replaced third-generation small car. Renault’s Megane RS is about to launch in new-generation form, while Hyundai has also lobbed its first foray into the hotly-contested market with its i30 N. ![]() AUSTRALIA is going through a bit of a hot hatch renaissance at the moment with the likes of the Honda Civic Type R back in local showrooms, as well as the perennial Volkswagen Golf GTI and R pair.
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