Ford Focus RS is a high performance and heavily extensively modified version of the regular Focus. The first generation was built as a successor to the Escort RS Cosworth and was produced by Ford Werke of Germany from 2002 to 2003. Intend for European market.
It was originally intended to bear much more of a resemblance to the World Rally Car driven by the likes of Colin McRae and François Delecour, with 4WD and a 300 BHP engine. However, the production version had just 212 BHP and was driven by the front wheels only with a clever differential.
The second-gen seemed to follow on this trend but was more sophisticated with 2.5-litre turbocharged inline-5. The last third-gen, drivetrain shifted to AWD fitted with the EcoBoost inline-4 engine displaces at 2.3-litre.
Focus RS production ceased in the end of 2018. The base Focus was permanently discontinued in November 2025.
Appearances[]
- In Series 1, Episode 2, Jeremy reviews the first generation Focus RS, praising its handling but criticised for its tendency to over-correct on winding, twisty roads without allowing the driver to override this capability. The Stig sets a lap of 1:32.2 around the Top Gear Test Track.
- In Series 2, Episode 8, the first generation Focus RS took part in a drag race in Jeremy's review of the Alfa Romeo 147 GTA against it and the Volkswagen Golf R32.
- In Clarkson: Shoot-Out, Jeremy eliminates the first generation Focus RS as being the most fun hot hatch due to it's tricky front differential.
- In Series 3, Episode 8, the first generation Focus RS loses in the generations drag race to the Escort RS Cosworth.
- In Series 5, Episode 8, the first generation Focus RS beats the old Escort Mexico in a race around the Top Gear Test Track.
- In Series 13, Episode 4, Jeremy compares the second generation Focus RS against Richard in the Renault Megane R26.R around the Top Gear Test Track. Jeremy praises the Focus RS' improved handling, speed and differential to the last model as well as its practicality. The Stig later sets a lap of 1:29.3 in the Focus RS making it a second slower than the Renault.
- In Clarkson: Duel, Jeremy attempts to see if the second generation Focus RS can keep up with the Stig in a Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder. Despite not being able to on either road or track, Jeremy still maintains the Focus RS to be a brilliant car.
- Jeremy later announced the second generation Focus RS to be his car of the year.
- In Series 16, Episode 3, Jeremy compares the Focus RS500 to the Subaru Impreza WRX STI Cosworth and the Volvo C30 PCP around the Top Gear Test Track. He once again praises the Focus RS' improved handling, speed and differential to the last model as well as its practicality. The Stig later sets a lap of 1:30.8 on a wet track.
- In Series 23, Episode 3, Reid reviews the third generation Focus RS and compares it to the Honda Civic Type R and Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG. Reid praises the Focus RS' handling, speed, innovative AWD system and exhaust stating it to be his favourite performance car.
- In Happy Finnish Christmas, Clarkson compares the third generation Focus RS to Hammond in the Mustang GT as to which is the better fast Ford. Despite praising the Focus RS' handling, speed, innovative AWD system and exhaust, both Clarkson and Hammond prefer the Mustang which is ultimately faster in a drag race. In the hands of The American the third generation Focus RS sets a lap of 1:28.4 around the Eboladrome.
- In Series 29, Episode 2, Harris purchases a first generation Focus RS as his Performance Write Off, comparing it to McGuinness in a Porsche Cayman S and Flintoff in a Maserati Quattroporte.
- In A Massive Hunt, Hammond modifies a third generation Focus RS to tackle Madagascar against Clarkson in a modified Bentley Continental GT V8 and May in a modified Caterham 7 310R. Despite it's rally pedigree the RS fails to complete the journey breaking it's clutch over Madagascar's rough terrain.