Ford's new Focus RS to make its first appearance in New York

Ford's new Focus RS to make its first appearance in New York

Ford's new high-performance hatchback, the Focus RS, is set to make its first appearance in America next week, revealing the exclusive new signature colour Nitrous Blue at the New York International Auto Show.

This is the first ever Ford RS to be sold in the U.S. and will be offered in markets all over the world.

As one of 12 new performance vehicles Ford will bring to customers globally by 2020 in a new era of Ford performance, the Focus RS features the innovative Ford Performance all-wheel-drive system and a specially engineered 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine.

The high-performance hatchback's EcoBoost engine shares its fundamental structure with the aluminium four-cylinder engine in the all-new Mustang.

The new Focus RS also introduces advanced performance technologies and is the first RS to be equipped with selectable Drive Modes - including an industry-first Drift Mode that allows controlled oversteer drifts - and Launch Control.

It will be offered in a choice of four-coat metallic finishes including Nitrous Blue Shadow Black, Magnetic Grey and Frozen White.

Raj Nair, group vice president of global product development at Ford Motor Company, said: "The RS line has a proud history of technical breakthroughs. It's a great example of our passion for innovation through performance, and creating vehicles that make people's hearts pound."

Joel Piaskowski, director of design at Ford of Europe, added: "This is the ultimate Focus  stunning to look at and entirely fit for purpose. RS models have always been striking, high-performance cars where function is paramount. This new Focus RS is true to that heritage."

Developed by a small team of Ford Performance engineers in Europe and the U.S., the new Focus RS is the third generation of Focus RS cars, following models launched in 2002 and 2009. The 30th car to wear the legendary RS badge, the Focus RS will be built in Saarlouis, Germany, from late this year.

Ford has confirmed deliveries to customers in Europe will start in early 2016.

by: Sophie Williamson-Stothert