Ford Focus RS news - The RS has landed... - 2008

It’s here. After an even more eagerly-anticipated wait than the Bugatti Veyron’s appearance on the TG test track, the Ford Focus RS has finally landed.

This is the first official photo of Ford’s Evo-rivalling super-hot hatch – following a concept appearance at the British Motor Show in the summer – and here’s all you need to know: you want one.

Really, you do. Let’s remind you of a few of the numbers here: the RS gets a revised version of the Focus ST’s 2.5-litre turbocharged five-pot, thoroughly overhauled to put out around 300bhp… through the front wheels.

To avoid terminal torque steer, the RS gets a clever new suspension system called ‘RevoKnuckle’, along with an automatic torque-biasing limited-slip diff. That should all add up to a 0-60mph time of just under six seconds and a top speed likely limited to 155mph.

Colours? We know they’re not usually much of a Top Gear concern, but we care here. The original Focus RS was only available in Performance Blue – the colour you see here – but the new gen will also be available in the hyperactive shade of green we saw on the concept, and white. Choices, choices, choices.

The RS will hit UK roads in the spring, and though we’ve no official word on prices yet, we’re told that it might just sneak in under £25 grand.

Will it be worth it? Well, we’ll have to wait until we drive it to give you the full verdict, but on the evidence thus far, we’re going to take a punt and say, ‘Hell, yes’.