Today in Cologne, Germany, Ford previewed the all-new Ford Focus RS. This high-performance car will debut Ford’s new Performance All-Wheel Drive system. The manufacturer tells us that the new Focus RS will deliver class-leading cornering speed and thrilling performance. This new model will be the first ever RS car which will be made available to markets all around the world.

The new Focus RS comes equipped with a 2.3 litre EcoBoost engine that we’re told will offer in excess of 320hp. The performance car is now entering its third generation and was developed by a small team of Ford Performance engineers in Europe and the USA. This will be the thirtieth Ford model to carry the “RS” badge. Classics to carry this badge include the 1970 Escort RS1600, the turbocharged Sierra RS Cosworth (1985) and the 1992 Escort RS Cosworth.

“The all-new Focus RS is a serious machine with high-performance technology and innovative engineering that sets a new benchmark for driving exhilaration on the road and track,” said Raj Nair, group vice president, Global Product Development, Ford Motor Company. “The RS line has a proud history of technical breakthroughs that have migrated to mainstream Fords to benefit all of our customers, and the new Focus RS is no exception. It’s a great example of our passion for innovation through performance and creating vehicles that make people’s hearts pound."

The Ford Performance AWD system which is being previewed in this machine is based on twin electronically-controlled clutch packs which are part of each side of the rear drive unit. These devices manage the front/rear torque split of the car. They can also control side-to-side torque distribution on the rear axle; this delivers the “torque vectoring” capability to the car. Ford tells us that this massively impacts on the handling and cornering stability of the vehicle.

The exterior design of the Focus RS has been developed and changed to support certain dynamic objectives. Engineers have focussed on the aerodynamic optimisation of the front splitter, rear spoiler and underbody. We’re told that the result of this will be a “balanced performance with zero lift front and rear for optimum high-speed handling and stability.”