Video: watch Ford's classic RS cars in action

It’s common for a manufacturer to gleefully raid a glorious back catalogue for inspiration or implied association, and usually ends in lots of cringing. But in Ford’s case, we’ll forgive the marketeers this little RS video, featuring Ford racing-face-du-jour, Ken Block.

After all, the new Ford Focus RS is a pretty special thing - especially given its price tag - and actually has a direct lineage to all that cool RS heritage. The video cuts together some of the best bits, from the original Escort, through Group B RS200s and Escort Cosworths to the various generations of rally-spec Focus, finishing with Block’s glee at finally getting the AWD turbo Ford he always wanted.

Short and sweet and full of RS goodness. Just the way we like them.