2018 Ford Focus RS500
Most of the performance
hatchbacks have only been offered in Europe. Well, until the Focus RS arrived
that is. Essentially a better version of the Focus ST, a car which is a better
version of the standard Focus, the RS aimed to be the flagship Focus. With 350
hp and 350 lb-ft of torque it achieved its goal too… almost.
Well a brand new Focus has just been
caught during testing at the Nurburgring and it certainly appears to be the new
RS500. It’s far too different from the RS to be the standard RS, not to mention more angry and mean looking.
Changes to the RS500 are minute, but
visible. It sports a visible amount of extra aggression from the outside, but
it isn’t that striking compared to previous hot Fords. The front fascia, front
grille and air dam have been left virtually the same. The very top of the
fascia seems to be tilted to the front more, giving the Ford emblem a much more
dominant display. The lines at the front are the same, as is the hood. It does
now sport a functioning vent on each side of the center hump however.
The back is the same, perhaps even
featuring fewer changes than the side profile. The rear diffuser is the same as
is the rear fascia. The only things that are different are the taillights. They
now have a different layout, with the amber colored light being positioned on
the outside of the lens center. The spoiler at the top of the rear window
appears to be modified too. It sits lower and is more optimized for downforce.
The 2018 Ford Focus RS500 may have better sport seats at the
front compared to its RS cousin, and we wouldn’t be surprised if it also came
with five-point harnesses. The steering wheel will probably have a flat bottom
too and a few extra knobs here and there. Although very unlikely, it is
possible that the instrument cluster will go fully digital.
Well, the 2.3 four-cylinder EcoBoost is nearing its limit with 350 hp but
we’ve talked to some experts and they claim it can be pushed even further
still. We know that a lot of small 2 liter blocks can push well over 500
horsepower but remember, we’re talking about a factory vehicle with a warranty.
They can’t build it so it lasts a couple thousand miles only. It needs to run
reliably for years and miles to come.
