We won’t have to wait for the figures to be leaked onto Ford’s website again as the Blue Oval have given official confirmation that the 2016 Focus RS starting price in the US is $36,605 which includes a destination fee of $875. You get a fast hot hatch for this money as well, the RS has at least 345 horsepower and can reach 62 miles per hour in only 4.7 seconds with a top speed of 165 mph.
The 4.7 seconds tops the 0-60 times held by lesser-powered competitiors such as the Volkswagen Golf R (4.9 seconds) and the Subaru WRX STI (5.1 seconds). There are a number of European high-horsepower vehicles that could outrun it though, such as the Audi RS3 (4.3 seconds to 62 mph) and the recently upgraded 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG (4.1 seconds).
Fast acceleration could be easily managed thanks to a combination of all-wheel drive, launch control and torque vectoring at the rear axle as well.
The driver chooses an option from the menu, put the hot hatch into first gear, presses down the gas pedal and then lets off the clutch. The vehicle speeds off, and at 5,900 rpm, a shift light on the instrument cluster is illuminated. At the 6,800 rpm redline it starts flashing.
All that’s left is to get past winter to find out which vehicle wins in a real-world drag race. The first North American deliveries of the Focus RS, which is being developed in Saarlouis, Germany, are due to take place in the spring of 2016. Ford haven’t spoken about the options yet, however the last leak mentioned things such as leather seats, 19-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires, navigation and a sunroof to be included.
