When new broke that 2018 would be the last model year for the Ford Focus RS, people were up in arms about this decision. But here’s the thing.. A new Focus is coming next year, so it was inevitable that the RS would only enjoy a two-year run.
But the folks at Ford Performance decided to give their hot hatch a proper send-off, with a 2018 Focus RS limited-edition that gets a few new features requested by enthusiasts on Facebook, online forums, and fan clubs. It’s nice to see a brand listening to customer feedback and acting on it!
The 2018 Ford Focus RS will be available in new Race Red or signature Nitrous Blue body color, both featuring striking new gloss black roof and mirror caps. The rear roof spoiler also features gloss black finish, with blue RS logos on the side wings. Now standard are 19-inch premium painted forged alloy wheels with blue RS center caps.
From the cockpit, the door handles, handbrake lever and turbo boost gauge surround are wrapped in carbon fiber skin, while equipment from the RS2 Package is standard, offering black leather-trimmed RECARO seats with Miko-Dinamica eco-friendly suede microfiber inserts and RS logo, heated front seats with eight-way power driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, heated exterior mirrors and voice-activated navigation system.
To really excite driving enthusiasts, the Ford Performance team added a standard mechanical Quaife limited-slip differential for the front axle that further improves Focus RS performance. This limited-edition Focus RS will more easily carry speed through a corner on the track, and allow for maximum acceleration on the way out.
“Our new limited-edition Focus RS represents accessible performance at its finest,” said Jamal Hameedi, Ford Performance chief engineer. “Improving on the thrilling driving dynamics of the Focus RS is no small task – but our Ford Performance engineers have delivered a drivetrain capable of wringing every drop of performance from the engine.”
At $41,995, the 2018 Focus RS pricing represents a $5,000 increase over the base 2017 Focus RS. But if you factor in all the standard equipment (like the pricey RS2 package) that the 2018 model comes with, the actual price increase is only $225. Now that’s one heck of a deal, considering you get a mechanical limited slip differential, along with some carbon fiber upgrades!
If you want a 2018 Ford Focus RS, you’d better hurry down to your local Ford dealership, as only 1,000 models will be available in the United States and 500 in Canada, with deliveries beginning in late 2017.
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