Ford Focus RS500 revealed for Europe

We've been clamoring for the European Ford Focus, and the Blue Oval finally acquiesced. But no matter how hard we beg, the most sinister Focus in the world isn't coming to the United States.

But that doesn't stop us from drooling all over the RS500, which broke cover on Monday, packing 345 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. The car gets a matte-black “foil” paint job and sharp 19-inch wheels. Twenty European markets will get to divide the limited run of 500 cars, which will be individually numbered. The speed demon launches in May.

Power comes from a 2.5-liter, five-cylinder engine designed to deliver more top- and mid-range power. There's also a larger intercooler, an exhaust pipe and updated engine-software calibration. The front-wheel-drive car can hit 62 mph in 5.6 seconds.

Ford
The matte black finish and 19-inch alloy wheels signal the potent performance of the Ford Focus RS500.

Ford engineers and race-car drivers put the RS500 through the equivalent of 10 consecutive 24-hour races on the N

By Greg Migliore