Top Gear has finally gotten around to testing the 2009 Ford Focus RS; however, instead of just concentrating on the Focus RS, Richard Hammond joins Jeremy Clarkson in a head-to-head battle with Renault Megan R26.R powered by a 2.0 turbo making 227-hp.

So how does it compare to the 300-hp 2.5L 5-cylinder Duratec with a large Borg Warner K16 turbocharger in the Focus RS? Find out in the video after the jump.

Follow the jump for the video.

2009 Ford Focus RS:

2009 Ford Focus RS:

- By: Kap Shah

The 300-hp 2.5L 5-cylinder Duratec engine under the hood of the 2009 Ford Focus RS definitely gives it an edge over many of its rivals. The folks at Fifth Gear think that the new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X can definitely give the Focus RS some strong competition so they decided to put the two cars head-to-head in a series of tests… on a track.

Check out the video after the jump to see who wins.

- By: Omar Rana

Last month, Ford’s director of advanced product creation and global performance Hermann Salenbauch, said that FoMoCo is considering the possibility of bringing the Ford Focus RS to stateside. 

Ford is looking for “feedback from the media and customers” Salenbauch told Automotive News. “How much do they like it? Is it really what they want? We are pretty confident that it is.”

Earlier this month, a 2009 Ford Focus RS was spotted in Royal Oak, Michigan. 

Now, a new report from UK’s AutoCar says that Ford will not bring the Focus RS to the United States. According to Jost Capito, who is the new head of Ford’s global performance division, selling the Focus RS in the U.S. would cost too much.

“We’d like to, but the base car isn’t homologated for North America and that’s too costly a job to carry out just for a niche vehicle like the RS,” said Capito.

We are deeply disappointed and hurt.

2009 Ford Focus RS

- By: Kap Shah

Source: AutoCar

The folks over at AutoCar decided to put the new 2009 Ford Focus RS against the Nissan GT-R. Now while we really love the 2009 Focus RS, we really don’t think it deserves to be in the same video as Godzilla. Nonetheless, it’s an interesting approach.

Refresher:

2009 Ford Focus RS: Power comes from a 2.5L 5-cylinder Duratec engine with a large Borg Warner K16 turbocharger. That makes a total of 300-hp and a peak torque of 324 lb-ft allowing for a 0 to 62 mph run in 5.9 seconds with a top speed of 163 mph.

Nissan GT-R: Powered by a 3.8 L twin-turbocharged DOHC V6 engine that produces 473 horsepower with a peak torque of 430 lb-ft. 0 to 62 mph comes in at 3.5 seconds with a top speed is limited at 193mph

Click through for the video.

- By: Kap Shah

The worldwide famous “Jet Pack Man,” Eric Scott, set another record for the fastest speed on a jet pack, achieving a staggering 68 mph – and he did it on a drag strip against a 2009 Ford Focus RS.

Scott took on the 2009 Ford Focus RS which was piloted by BTCC champion Gordon Shedden. 

Click through for the video.

2009 Ford Focus RS:

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Hermann Salenbauch, FoMoCo’s director of advanced product creation and global performance, said earlier last month that Ford is considering bringing the 2009 Ford Focus RS to the stateside. He said that the decision to sell the Focus RS in the U.S. depends on enthusiasts such as Focus SVT owners. According to our poll, the majority of you would love to buy the Focus RS.

However, some lucky Focus RS fan (or some Ford employee) in Royal Oak, MI. already has one.

Forum member Justin over at FocusFinatics spotted this Frost White 2009 Ford Focus hanging out on the side of some road in Royal Oak and was nice enough to take pictures.

In Justin’s words: “Just got home from dinner with the lady. I haven’t been on this forum in years, but when I saw this in Royal Oak I started getting all excited. She didn’t get it when I was taking pictures ‘Justin it’s just a Focus’”

No lady it’s not just a Focus – it’s a 305-hp Focus.

2009 Ford Focus RS Spotted in the U.S.:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: FocusFinatics (via Jalopnik)

All of you high-performance hatchback lovers may now rejoice. Ford is considering bringing its 305-hp 2009 Ford Focus RS to the U.S. According to Hermann Salenbauch, FoMoCo’s director of advanced product creation and global performance, the decision to sell the Focus RS in the U.S. depends on enthusiasts such as Focus SVT owners.

Ford is looking for “feedback from the media and customers” Salenbauch told Automotive News. “How much do they like it? Is it really what they want? We are pretty confident that it is.”

The next-generation redesign and Europe-engineered 2011 Ford Focus goes on sale in the U.S. in late 2010. The RS model for the U.S. would be based on that platform.

Would you buy a Ford Focus RS if it came to the U.S.? Have your say in the poll below.

2009 Ford Focus RS:

- By: Omar Rana

Nurburgring lap times give every high-performance cars the bragging rights within their segment. The new 2009 Ford Focus RS is getting ready to take on the Nurburgring lap record for the front-wheel drive hatchbacks.

Currently the record is held by the Renault Megane R26R at 8 minutes and 17 seconds. According to AutoCar the new 300-hp Focus RS was spotted at the Nordschleife last week. Sources said that it was preparing for a record-breaking run.

Ford spokesman declined to confirm that the Focus RS was running timed laps but said that “it’s no secret that we will be looking to achieve a time at the ’Ring, but there’s no set schedule for it. 

The next attempt is likely to take place on March 31.

2009 Ford Focus RS:

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: AutoCar

We’ve seen a lot of the Electric Green 2009 Ford Focus RS. So much so, that we forgot that the high-performance hatchback is available in two other exterior color options – Frozen White and Electric Blue. Well lucky for us (mostly you) Ford has unveiled a new batch of 2009 Focus RS images that show the car in its white and blue shades.

The 2009 Ford Focus RS is hitting dealerships as we speak with prices starting at £24,995 ($38,158 USD).

Refresher: Power comes from a 2.5L 5-cylinder Duratec engine with a large Borg Warner K16 turbocharger. That makes a total of 300-hp and a peak torque of 324 lb-ft allowing for a 0 to 62 mph run in 5.9 seconds with a top speed of 163 mph.

Click through for the updated high-res image gallery.

2009 Ford Focus RS:

- By: Omar Rana

According to sources of Auto Express, the new 2009 Ford Focus RS could be the last model from Ford of Europe to wear the high-performance badge. Of course all this is due to the global economic crisis, future fuel-emissions laws and the fact that it no longer makes business sense for the company.

“The new Focus RS is special – not just because of its incredible performance, but because it’s likely to be the last car of this type you will see from Ford,” a Ford insider told the publication.

He said that the situation is unlikely to change and even when recovery begins, Ford will focus more on economical and fuel-efficient cars. So for those you that were hoping the 300-hp Ford Focus RS would come to the U.S. – your dreams have officially been shattered.

2009 Ford Focus RS:

Source: Auto Express

The not so Top Fifth Gear drove the new 2009 Ford Focus RS this past weekend. Their take on Ford’s high-performing hatch?

“This is gotta be one of the best hot hatches in the world – if not the best. But do yourself a favor, buy it in blue.”

Refresher: Power comes from a 2.5L 5-cylinder Duratec engine with a large Borg Warner K16 turbocharger. That makes a total of 300-hp and a peak torque of 324 lb-ft allowing for a 0 to 62 mph run in 5.9 seconds with a top speed of 163 mph.

Make the jump for the video.

2009 Ford Focus RS:

2009 Ford Focus RS:

Ford of Europe has already announced the pricing on the 2009 Ford Focus RS for the European market but for some reason the automaker was compelled to keep most of the official technical specs under the wraps until now. Quite frankly, we could care less about the new details since the core details have been released for some time now. What we’re more concerned with is the video and the new batch of images that came with the release.

But first let’s get some of the technical details out of the way: The 2009 Ford Focus RS officially produces 305-ps (300-hp) and a peak torque of 440Nm (324 lb-ft) form its 2.5L 5-cylinder Duratec engine with a large Borg Warner K16 turbocharger. Mated to a 6-speed transmission that 2009 Focus RS can achieve a 0 to 62 mph run in just 5.9 seconds with a top speed of 163 mph. Stopping power comes from large 336mm x 30mm, ventilated front discs with single 60mm piston calipers, supported by 302mm x 11mm rear discs. That allows the Focus RS to go from 62 mph to a complete stop in 114 feet.

Oh and we’re sure you want to know what kind of fuel-economy you’ll be getting with this high-performing hatchback. Ford says that combined fuel-economy is estimated at a combined 30.5 mpg which is 25 mpg on the stateside. Speaking of stateside – we really hope that Ford will soon bring the 2009 Focus RS to U.S. roads.

Follow the jump to see a video of the 2009 Ford Focus RS in action along with an updated high-res image gallery.

2009 Ford Focus RS:

2009 Ford Focus RS in Action:

Pricing for the 2009 Ford Focus RS has been revealed. The fastest and hottest Ford hatchback will hit markets in March of 2009 with a price tag of £24,995 ($38,158 USD).

The new Focus RS will be available in three colors including Electric Green, Frozen White and Electric Blue. Power comes from a 2.5L 5-cylinder Duratec engine that makes 296-hp and a peak torque of 221 lb-ft. Rest to 60 mph comes in at 5.9 seconds with a top speed electronically limited to 155 mph.

The £24,995 gets you 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 235/35 rubber, xenon headlamps and air-conditioning. Drop another £750 ($1,146 USD) and Ford will give you dual-zone climate control, parking sensors and automatic lights and wipers. An additional £1500 ($2,293 USD) adds a touch screen sat nav and another £500 ($764 USD) will get you leather seats.

Follow the jump for the high-res image gallery.

So far Ford has about 1,500 orders for the new 2009 Ford Focus RS and about 40 percent of those customers asked that their extreme Ford hatchback be delivered to them in the screaming Electric-Green color that was shown at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.

The 2009 Focus RS is also available in two other colors including Frozen White and Electric Blue (the color you see here).

Refresher: Powered by a 2.5L 5-Cylinder Duratec engine that produces 296-hp with a maximum torque of 221 lb-ft of torque. 0 to 60 mph comes in under 5.9 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph.

Click through for the 2009 Ford Focus high-res image gallery.

2009 Ford Focus RS in Electric Blue:

Source: Ford (via iMotor via AutoBlog)

Not only do the Europeans get the Ford Focus RS, Ford today announced a new sport Focus Zetec S – just for Europeans. What’s so special about this edition? Based on the existing Zetec model the Focus Zetec S comes with a full sport styling kit consisting of a front and rear spoiler, 17-inch alloy wheels, aluminum foot pedals and hand brake cover and exclusive ‘S’ badge on the front fender.

The Ford Focus Zetec S is available in both three and five-door variants and is offered with the same wide choices of existing engines plus the edition of the new 1.6 Ti-VCT producing 115-hp. Power is transferred to the wheels via Ford’s six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission.

The Ford Focus Zetec S is priced £750 above the equivalent Zetec model. The additional features are worth over £1,600. Two optional styling packs are also available including the Sport Pack which gives you 18-inch alloy wheels and a privacy glass, WRC Pack which includes World Rally Championship ‘chequered flag’ decals and WRC scuff plates.

Click through for more high-res photos.

Ford Focus Zetec S:

Ford of Europe has yet to announce pricing on the 2009 Ford Focus RS but 1,000 enthusiasts have already signed up for the high-performance hatchback. 40 percent of those who signed up asked to get their Focus RS in the Electric Green colored being shown at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.

The 2009 Ford Focus RS is powered by a 2.5L 5-Cylinder Duratec engine that produces 296-hp with a maximum torque of 221 lb-ft of torque. 0 to 60 mph comes in under 6 seconds.

Deliveries will begin later this year with other colors including Electric Blue and Frozen White.

Click through for more high-res photos from Paris.

Live from Paris 2008: 2009 Ford Focus RS:

Ford of Europe has yet to release the pricing on the new 2009 Ford Focus RS – heck they still have yet to release official performance figures like the 0 to 60 time and the top speed. But that’s not stopping Britons from running into Ford dealers to sign up and put down deposits.

According to AutoTelegraaf, 1,000 Ford Focus RS units have already been accounted for. 40 percent of the buyers have asked to get their Focus RS in the Electric Green shade that Ford showed at the 2008 London International Motor Show. Other colors will include Electric Blue and Frozen White.

Power for the new 2009 Ford Focus RS comes from a turbocharged version of the Duratec 2.5 liter 5-cylinder engine that produces 296-hp with a peak torque of 221 lb-ft. 0-60 mph is said to come in under 6 seconds.

2009 Ford Focus RS:

Source: AutoTelegraaf