Ford Focus RS
The new Focus RS, has a turbo-charged 2.5-litre engine, a roof spoiler and 19-inch wheels set to liberate the Eighties boy in you
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.When I was 17 the love of my life was a girl called Tracy and my best friend was a boy called Darren. All that was missing from this vivid Eighties tableau was a red Ford Fiesta XR2i with stickers, but even with dubious Flock of Seagulls hair and stonewashed jeans I knew that a "performance Ford" was not the motor for me.
I had never lusted after a Capri (not even Terry McCann's white MKII), thought RS Escorts were for oiks, and the Probe and Cougar that followed were hardly likely to win me over either. Soon after, a strangely compelling man with Bonnie Tyler hair and an arse too large for his Levi's started appearing on TV boasting about his Escort Cosworth with the tea-tray spoiler, which was just about the final coffin nail as far as I was concerned.
Then, a few years back, I tried the then-new Focus RS and, finally, I "got" the performance Ford. Though it still looked to me like something put together after a Halford's trolley dash, the RS was a blast to drive. In any other car, torque steer as shocking as the RS's would have been cause for concern, but like Amy's Blake, though clearly a wrong 'un, the RS had a thuggish charm.
Even as I wrestled with the steering wheel, to stop it veering across the broken white line, I had a smile on my face and, since Tracy left, there have been all too few of those.
So I was thrilled to see a new RS, so long rumoured, is finally to be unveiled at this month's London Motor Show. Ford promises the new Focus RS is much more than a slightly titivated ST. It has the old Volvo five-cylinder, 2.5-litre turbo-charged engine, but with that giant handlebar moustache-style front, roof spoiler, 19-inch wheels, deep side skirts and Rafael Nadal-style bulges the two are never likely to be mistaken. It is tuned to give 295bhp too. And, get this: it will apparently "do" 155mph.
Now, I can remember all those years ago as I watched Darren steal Tracy from under my nose with his dad's XR4i and gold Diadora trainers while I spent night after night trying to coax my tragic Bond Equipe into life, asking myself: was the democratisation of speed such a good thing?
Back then, the answer was no. Today, the answer is no even more so. (I mean, come on, 155mph!) But, I can tell you this, I can't wait to try it, and my first stop will be Darren's house.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments