Ford Focus RS production underway

The first all-new Focus RS has rolled off the production line in Saarlouis, Germany, signaling an increasing demand for performance cars across Europe, says Ford.

 The carmaker expects to produce 41,000 performance cars for Europe in 2016, up from 29,000 in 2015, representing an increase of 40 per cent.

The all-new Focus RS is among the models driving demand, along with the Mustang, for which Ford has taken more than 13,000 orders in Europe (2,650 in the UK), and the hot hatch ST versions of the Focus and Fiesta.

The Focus RS is one of 12 new performance vehicles Ford will bring to customers globally through 2020. Developed by a team of engineers in Europe and the US, it's powered by a special version of Ford's new 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine delivering maximum power of 350PS. This will enable the high-performance hatchback to get from 062 mph in 4.7sec, making it the fastest accelerating Ford RS model ever.

Since prices were announced in September, customers have placed more than 3,100 orders (2,300 of these in Britain).

"This will be a truly remarkable year for Ford performance cars, with unprecedented performance capability, as well as sophisticated powertrain and chassis technologies including the new Ford Performance All Wheel Drive system for Focus RS," said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe.

Forza Focus RS heads to Gamescom

Forza Focus RS heads to Gamescom

Forza Focus RS heads to Gamescom

Forza Focus RS heads to Gamescom

Forza Focus RS heads to Gamescom

A unique Ford Focus RS, featuring an exterior designed by players of Forza Motorsport for Xbox has been revealed.

Unveiled at a special Microsoft event ahead of the international 2015 Gamescom - Europe's largest interactive games trade fair event in Cologne - the special Forza Focus RS will feature in the new Forza Motorsport 6 game for the Microsoft Xbox One console.

The one-off Focus RS livery was the winning design from a competition for players of the Forza Horizon 2 open-world racing game, organised by global gaming website IGN. Ford also has teamed up with Microsoft to also feature the all-new Ford GT ultra-high-performance supercar in Forza Motorsport 6, the latest title in the racing simulation franchise for Xbox.

Forza Motorsport 6 makes its European debut at Gamescom before going on sale later this year, and visitors to the event will be able to view the all-new Ford GT - the game's cover star.

The all-new Focus RS is the third generation of Focus RS cars, following models launched in 2002 and 2009. Developed by a global Ford Performance team, the RS features a specially-engineered 350PS 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine, Ford Performance All-Wheel-Drive system and is the first RS to offer selectable Drive Modes - including industry-first Drift Mode - and Launch Control.

The pinnacle of the Ford Performance line-up, the all-new Ford GT uses an aerodynamic carbon fibre body and twin-turbocharged V6 EcoBoost engine to deliver one of the best power-to-weight ratios of any production car. The 'state-of-the-art' Ford GT chassis features an active racing-style torsion bar and pushrod suspension, with adjustable ride height, and carbon-ceramic brake discs.

"In Forza Motorsport 6, racing and gaming enthusiasts all over the world will be the first to experience Ford's new ultra-high-performance supercar, the Ford GT," said Dan Greenawalt, creative director at Turn 10 Studios in Redmond, Washington, U.S. "In Cologne we're excited to showcase the real all-new Focus RS clad in a special paint scheme created by the Forza community. During Gamescom, gamers will also get to see the Forza Motorsport 6 cover-car Ford GT in person."

Gamescom takes place August 5-9.