Ford Focus RS

The Focus RS is getting ready for battle! Just as we are getting used to the bright green super-hatch starring at next week’s British Motor Show, Ford is out testing the car we’ll be able to buy.

It has been seen at the Nurburgring having the performance and handling fine-tuned, as Team RS work to get the best out a car that puts 296bhp through the front wheels. That makes it the wildest ever hot hatchback, trumping the first generation Focus RS by a massive 84bhp. The top speed is likely to be well in excess of 150mph while 0-60mph will be dispensed with in less than six seconds.

So what does that translate to at the ‘ring? Our snapper reckoned at cruising pace the RS managed 8:38 – which could translate to a seriously quick time at full pelt.

The Renault Megane R26.R, another hardcore hatch globally unveiled at the ExCeL arena, is currently the fastest front-wheel drive production car around the Nordschleife at a time of 8:17. The finished Focus could
put that title under threat.

The Megane has almost 70bhp less than the Focus, but a stripped out interior means it could be the track weapon of choice. It is set to be priced almost the same as the sub-£25,000 RS.