Track Star
The Focus RS hits the test track with Ken Block behind the wheel
By Steve Turner
Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company
The more we learn about the forthcoming Focus RS, the more impressed we are. We can’t wait to get behind the wheel, but for now we are enjoying Ford’s documentary series on the car. Titled Rebirth of an Icon , it offers an inside look at the development of Ford Performance’s top-of-the-line hot hatch. Today we’ve reached the halfway point in the series, as Episode 4 landed on the interwebs.
In this episode Ken Block returns to put the Focus RS through its paces at Ford’s test facility in Lommel, Belgium. Of course, this testing isn’t just about serious business. Ken had to live up to his Hoonigan reputation and have some fun in the 350-horsepower, all-wheel-drive hot hatch.
You can watch the new video right here…
The previous episodes detailed the goals for the car; the design and crash testing of the vehicle; and its preliminary road testing. In the coming weeks the series will continue with an episode each week and they will play out as follows:
- Episode 5: Arctic extremes—Winter testing in Sweden, and the team is under pressure to improve performance
- Episode 6: Power struggle—It’s all about performance, as the Ford manufacturing plant in Saarlouis, Germany, gears up for production
- Episode 7: Close scrutiny—The day of the critical sign-off drive follows Block’s headline appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
- Episode 8: Final chapter—It’s time for the nail-biting management review
And, don’t sweat it, we will keep posting each episode right here on the SVTP Front Page so you won’t miss out.