Ford Focus RS Mk1 Overview
The Ford RS badge, which stands for Rallye Sport, originated in rally racing. The badge first appeared on the Ford Taunus 15M RS in 1968. The Focus RS Mk1 was unveiled at the 2000 Birmingham International Motor Show, eventually being revealed in its full production form at the Geneva Motor Show the following year.
It took around 15 months for Ford to conceive and produce this model. Based on a three-door Focus, the RS was substantially reworked, with approximately 70 percent of the original car’s parts being replaced or re-worked.
At the core of the Focus RS is a 2.0-litre Duratec DOHC four-cylinder turbocharged engine. This engine produces 212 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 229 lb ft of torque at 3,500 rpm. These figures allow the front-wheel drive car to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 230 km/h (143 mph).
To enhance the engine’s power, engineers installed a modified oil return system and forged conrods. Cooling was managed by a revised air-intake system featuring a water-to-air intercooler. The engine management system was also changed, fitted with new higher flow injectors, and a new water pump and oil cooler was installed, providing a 50 percent increase in flow.
Power is sent through a strengthened five-speed manual transmission. Traction is managed by a Quaife automatic torque-biasing differential, which distributes the 212 horsepower to the wheel with the most traction, a system noted for being far from perfect and challenging on bumpy roads.
Handling adjustments included modified camber settings for the front suspension, an 18 mm front anti-roll bar, and stiffened multi-link suspension at the rear. Stopping power was increased with new 324 mm ventilated discs and four-pot calipers at the front, while the rear featured 280 mm solid discs.
The car is equipped with 18-inch OZ Racing lightweight-alloy wheels fitted with 225/40 R18 Michelin low-profile tyres.
In terms of production, Ford produced 4,501 Mk1 Ford Focus RS models between October 2002 and November 2003. A total of 2,147 of these models were sold in the United Kingdom.
Read the full guide: Ford Focus RS Mk1 Buyers Guide
