Ford readying 350bhp Focus RS500

The Ford Focus RS is about to get faster. Next week the Blue Oval will unveil a limited edition Focus RS500 with close to 350bhp.

Ahead of the reveal Ford has launched microsite with a video of the RS500 being driven round its Lommel Proving Ground in Belgium. It’s a teaser video mind, as the high-speed run was filmed in the middle of the night.

Not really, as the current Mk2 Focus RS already torque steers under heavy acceleration. But aftermarket tuners are already offering conversions with nearly 400bhp so Ford is capitalising on demand – and make sure it keep punters interested in the regular 301bhp model.

The Ford Focus RS500 will be revealed next week and the 2.5-litre turbocharged five-pot will be tweaked to around 350lb ft – the torque figure should rise to a similar figure too.

Other ‘mechanical changes’ are promised too, but a Ford insider has told CAR the RS500 won’t be as extreme as the Megane R26R – this fast Ford will still have rear seats. Expect a new paint colour too and various trim changes. The only thing we don’t want is some sort of special plaque saying just how unique each car is.

Ford originally planned to build just 8000 Mk2 Focus RS models – with 4000 destined for the UK – but it’s thought the RS500 will be an additional run of cars. Ford’s teaser website promises the RS500 will be ‘strictly limited’, and we hear just 500 will be made (hence the name) with around 100 coming to the UK. Expect the RS500 to cost close to £35k.

Click here to visit the Ford teaser website and watch the Focus RS500 in action

By Ben Pulman