Power Play

Ford Performance reveals the official output of its latest hot hatch

By Steve Turner
Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company

As we showed you yesterday, a 2016 Focus RS prototype will run the famed Hill Climb at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend. Behind the wheel will be the Hoonigan himself, Ken Block. If that weren’t exciting enough, Ford has taken this occasion to announce the performance specs of the hotly anticipated hatch.

“We promised enthusiasts a serious driving machine and, with 350PS under the hood, that is exactly what we will deliver,” Dave Pericak, global director, Ford Performance, said. “The stunning pace and innovative technology of the all-new Focus RS place it head-to-head with performance models from luxury and exotic marques, and it’s ready for the challenge.”

As you know, the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine in the RS is an upgraded version of the engine found in the EcoBoost Mustang, and those improvements resulted in a 10-percent increase in power over the Mustang powerplant. The official European output numbers for the RS are peak power of 350 PS and 440 nm of torque, which is available across a broad range from 2,000 to 4,500 rpm. Better yet, when the car enters Overboost, that torque output can spike to 470 nm for up to 15 seconds.

Now, if those numbers translate directly to the US version, we will be seeing an RS that produces over 345 horsepower and 324 lb-ft of torque. It should jump beyond 346 lb-ft for 15 seconds in Overboost.

“This very special 2.3-liter EcoBoost unit will inspire drivers as they feel the surge of the turbo, and reward them as they take it to the red line—all delivered with a visceral sound guaranteed to put a smile on your face,” Dave added.

According to Ford, European customers can expect to take delivery of the new Focus RS in early 2016. There is no official date for the United States, but the time for us to try out that 345 horsepower with Drift Mode and Launch Control can’t come soon enough.

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