Ford of Europe just pulled cover off an extreme limited edition 2010 Focus RS mode called the RS500. A European only model based on the current Focus sold there, the limited run of only 500 individually-numbered vehicles will be the last hoo-rah for the existing Focus before the all-new global Focus arrives next year.
Making this car special is a rip-roaring 350 horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder engine. The engine architecture is shared with Volvo, a marriage of technology that will be closing soon as Ford has announced the sale of the Swedish company.
The special edition starts with the Ford Focus RS and adds about 15% more power as well as a number of unique visual mods. The special edition developed by Ford’s now global SVT skunk-works represents the pinnacle of performance for the current Ford Focus. Each Ford Focus RS500 will carry a metal plaque on the center console, hand-engraved with a unique identification number from 001 to 500.
“We were determined to mark the end of production for the current and acclaimed Focus RS with something even more special,” said Joe Bakaj, Ford of Europe’s vice president for Product Development. “From its stunning looks to its intoxicating performance, we have no doubt that the Ford Focus RS500 will be appreciated and quickly snapped up by performance car enthusiasts.”
Under hood, the standard the 305 hp turbocharged Duratec RS 2.5-litre engine from the Focus RS has been upgraded to deliver significantly more top-end and mid-range power, but without compromising the base engine’s strength and responsiveness at lower revs. Peak power is 350hp at 6,000rpm, while torque has been increased to 339 lb-ft.
The changes include a significantly larger air-to-air intercooler to deliver a cooler, denser charge; a larger air filter box for increased airflow; larger diameter exhaust downpipe; and an uprated fuel pump, along with an updated software calibration to optimise the performance of the revised engine.
Specific to the Focus RS500 is a wider track, unique ‘RevoKnuckle’ front suspension design and a Quaife helical limited slip differential to deliver responsive steering, outstanding traction and a minimum of unwanted torque steer. It comes with larger brakes detailed with specific red calipers and uniquely finished 19-inch wheels.
What really pops is the special matte black paint. The matte black foil finish for the RS500 was developed in partnership with the technology company 3M, which specialises in advanced film products for the automotive industry. All Ford Focus RS500’s will be painted in a standard Panther Black metallic paint, before being shipped to a dedicated 3M facility near Frankfurt, Germany, where a special foil film will be applied to the bodywork to create the matt black effect. Interesting.
Ford says the film is extremely durable, and is specifically designed to resist superficial marks and scratches in automotive applications. In the event of damage to the bodywork, Ford dealers will be fully supported by a Europe-wide network of 3M agents who can replace the film on the affected panels.
Inside the RS500 is a world of racing inspired beauty. The center console is distinguished by the car’s individually-numbered metal plaque, and by a unique carbon-effect finish to the bezel which carries a distinctive RS pattern. In contrast to the blue detailing on the standard Focus RS, the RS500 features a special red color scheme, notably on the stitching of the leather trim on the steering wheel, door trim and gear lever gaiter, and on the floor mats. Customers also have the option of specifying the bespoke Recaro front sports seats in full red leather, to further enhance the visual impact.
While the new 2010 Ford Focus RS500 is not available in the United States, we bring this to you because it represents some of what is to come here at some point. Ford’s SVT has been merged with the European performance skunk-works and they are now a true global entity. Earlier this month Ford’s product man Derrick Kuzak announced that we too will get a performance version of the next generation Focus.
The question remains at this point will Ford brand the US bound version SVT or RS? We asked SVT about this and they are mum as a decision on that matter has not yet been made. What we were told was that regardless of what label the car carries we were assured that, “it will be engineered by SVT”.
