WILL IT OR won’t it? That was the burning question hanging over this Focus RS like the Sword of Damocles as we went to press with our exclusive driving impressions of Ford’s 224 kW hatchback performance king. We’re not talking about whether it will or won’t torque steer, we’re asking whether it’ll come to SA or not.
We don’t know for certain but it should: every brand needs an icon and we can’t think of a better one to boost Ford sales and remind people what RS means – even if it isn’t particularly well-known in a local context. For the record, it stands for Rallye Sport. Date of birth: mid-1970. First-born: Ford Escort MkI RS1600. One hundred of these came to SA but weren’t all sold in that form. More recently the RS moniker is remembered with the MkII RS2000, available here from late 1978 to early 1980.
Truth is, South African car guys definitely know what RS stands for and a few minutes browsing internet forums shows just how badly local fans of the Blue Oval want to see the Focus version. Their enthusiasm may however be tempered by a price on the wrong side of R500 000 and maybe closer to R600 000. That’s if some spare cars can be found for this market.
READ THE FULL STORY IN OUR OCTOBER ISSUE, ON SALE MONDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2009
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This car is completely impractical. Why would I buy one when the Subaru WRX is a second faster to 60 and isn't FWD? The idea of bringing the Focus RS to the States is just ridiculous. I mean, the Mazdaspeed3 is just as fast as it to 60 with about 50 less horsepower. Any handling advantage the Focus has is negated by how slow it is and by how much you're willing to spend on Ford repair. At least it's green, which should appease the hippies.
LOVE IT...HATE THE PRICE
IM SO INLOVE WITH THIS CAR.....WULD LUV 2 TEST DRIVE AND OWN IT!!!!BUT CUM ON THE PRICE IS JUST REDICULOUSLY 2MUCH.....VERY VERY SAD LOVER....I GUESS MY ST WILL DO!!!!
i will rather spent taht on
i will rather spent taht on my focus st and it will be faster and beter looking
Ford Focus Rs
I think the price range is to dame high??I would rather buy a Mazda MPS>>
huh
@ focus rs lover.
What exactly did you say in your post? I must be an old fart, but that is totally lacking in form or even vernacular!
Apparently the unit that is seen at Lazarus Ford, required a very expensive conversion to run on local fuel. 40% import tax, puts all the ministers vehicles in perspective. A million rand vehicle, would only cost a minister at the most 600k as they do not have to pay tax, do they?
R500- 600 000 is a mad price.
R500- 600 000 is a mad price. Not worth it, its a joke to think we are getting shafted like this in SA!! Come on get a grip!
SA Govermunt
Only cause SA slaps a 40 odd something % import tax on imported vehicles we must now miss out on this LEGEND...???!!!
LOOKS + POWER!
Its got the awesome curves and the sporty look...simply fantastic.
Overpriced!
It's just a Focus ST with a few mods. They could have made it more affordable!
focus rs lover
awesome car...yes,powerful...yes,R5/600000...absolutely no way!i love ford but i aint prepared to pay that much for this wonder.it goes 4 £27000, thats R351000,nw really,cumon do u really think we should pay d oda syd of 500geez 4 it,nah dont bring it 2 s.a if ford-s.a are gna sell d vehicle 2 drain our pockets...wen d car was set 2go on sale ford eu said they wantd2 make a car dat wud challenge d likes of d evo n wrx-sti and at d same tym b a hole lot more affordable...i dnt c dis price range doin dat...apart from d 60% mark up of cars in d absurd motor industry of south africa, ford have released a real scorcher,i do hope it comes thru and pray its gna b affordabl enuf 2 own
Alot of power!! Hopefully it
Alot of power!! Hopefully it wil come to SA
Simply outstanding!
A wonder on wheels! Best sporty hot hatch in class!
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