The second-generation Focus RS was a limited run 'super-hatch' with 300bhp that Ford initially said they wouldn't make. It had a twin-blade spoiler, aggressive body kit and a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine. Only 11,500 were built over three years, with just 4,000 for the UK market. Despite lacking four-wheel drive, it had Revo-Knuckle front suspension, a Quaife limited-slip diff and ESP for good power management. The chassis was 30% stiffer, with bigger drive shafts, wider track, lower ride height and faster steering rack for an improved driving experience.
The car is finished in the much sought-after "Ultimate Green". It has further benefitted from many thousands spent on quality engine performance, handling and braking upgrades from specialists such as Mountune, Milltek, PumaSpeed, R-Sport, Anembo Engineering, Setrab, Mocal, Powerflex, Revo and Whiteline.
In combination with the other engine performance upgrades, the car's performance has also been enhanced through the installation of the Mountune’s mTune MR375 handset, which among other features, revises the engine management software. As a result, the engine now generates 370 bhp and 405 ft/lbs of torque (up from 301bhp and 324 ft/lbs of torque as standard). Mountune claim that these upgrades enable the car to accelerate from 0-62 mph in a mere 4.5 seconds, while also significantly improving in gear acceleration, as well as its overall drivability.
The car benefits from a full service history with an impressive 16 stamps to date in the service book, the majority from Ford main dealers. It also comes with an extensive maintenance and parts invoice history, which evidences a cam belt, water pump and ancillary belts change at 53k miles. In addition, Powerflex (Road Use) suspension bushes have been fitted through out and the REVO-Knuckle bearings replaced.
This enthusiast-owned example, benefitting from many high quality upgrades, makes the most of its inherent attributes and wonderfully vocal five-cylinder 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, not just performance wise, but also in the handling, road holding and braking departments as well.
With performance Fords continuing to enjoy their day in the sun and Ford having confirmed that there will not be another Focus RS in the future, this superb example, in perhaps the most sought after colour, makes for a very tempting proposition indeed.
The Focus RS MK2 looks absolutely stunning in the much sought after Ultimate Green, which at the time was a factory optional extra. It well suits the visual drama of the car with its sleek black mesh grilles, pumped up bodywork sporting multiple ducts and vents and ended with a prominent rear diffuser and high mounted rear spoiler.
As can be seen from the photos, the paintwork is in superb overall condition, holds an impressive shine, is uniform both in colour and finish across all panels and all panel gaps are factory tight. Blemishes are almost non-existent, bar one or two very small stone chips on the gloss black plastic cover on the leading edge of the bonnet.
As part of the pre-sales preparation the car was subject to a sympathetic detail and treated to two coats of Swissvax’s excellent Crystal Rock wax, which provides up to 6-12 months paint protection.
Factory-fitted equipment includes Recaro sports seats, air conditioning, electric windows, key less start, rear parking sensors, power fold mirrors, Xenon headlights with headlight washers, heated front and rear screens and a Sony DAB radio with a six-disc CD changer.
In the storage compartment under the arm rest, there is a usb port and ipod holder signifying the car has been fitted with the Bluetooth/USB option. This has been tested as part of the pre-sales preparation and is working as it should.
All the switch gear, dials, warning lights and heater work as they should.
The car comes with the Mountune MR375 mTune handset, which not only allows for ECU performance calibration transfer, which avoids the need for the ECU to be removed for map upgrades (the car is currently running the MR375 map), but also hosts a range of other features covering performance measurement, adjustable shift lights, full data logging and diagnostics.
Finally, the car comes with a complete set of front and back OEM rubber overeats, as well as a pair of custom fit front seat covers.
Whilst the standard Focus RS MK2 was already a potent package this car has benefitted from a significant investment in high quality engine performance upgrades, which include:
Compared to a standard Focus RS Mk2, the combination of these upgrades has resulted in significant power and torque gains. This has delivered noticeable increases in acceleration performance, both top end and in gear, as well improving driveability by significantly reducing turbo lag. All this has been achieved, whilst ensuring such gains are not to the long term detriment of the engine.
Alongside the engine upgrades, the gear change has been improved with the Focus RS/ST Mk2 Quickshift Gear Linkage, which allows for gear changes to be made up to 30% faster.
Upgrades to the suspension include the fitment of Powerflex (road use) suspension bushes all round and a REVO RS Focus MK2 Rear Torque Mount, which dramatically reduces engine movement and vibration and provides for smoother gear changes.
Finally, the car has been fitted with the Focus RS MK2/ST 225 Whiteline Anti Lift Kit. Designed to replace the front control arm rear mounted bushing with a lightweight aluminium housing matched with high performance/low compliance chassis control bushings.
The kit provides added static caster to both front wheels by 0.5 degrees for the RS Focus, while changing the nature of front anti dive.
The low compliance bushing eliminates the soft non-responsive feel felt from the OEM fluid filled bushing and maintains more positive caster control during hard braking and cornering.
By changing the front control arm geometry, the new high tensile alloy mounts, coupled with the new low compliance bushings, change front suspension attitude to improve driver feel, feedback and confidence.
The car sits on its original 19" Focus RS alloy wheels which present in excellent condition and are unmarked.
To compliment the increased performance gains, the front brakes have been upgraded with the REVO/Alcon 6 piston 380mm Big Brake Kit.
Rear brake discs and callipers are OEM, with the discs being replaced at approximately 60,000 miles.
As can be seen from the photos of the underside, this is one of the cleanest examples we’ve seen. The original underseal is in good order as are the painted areas. There are no signs of any welding and subframes, suspension and braking components also present in excellent condition.
As part of the pre-sales preparation, following a through clean down of the underside, all mechanical componentry on the car’s underside were painstakingly treated to multiple coatings of clear DINITROL automotive rust prevention and corrosion protection treatment, to provide for long-term protection. This treatment was also carried out over the original underseal, sills, inner wheel arches, inner chassis members, rear bumper hangers and brake lines.
This all adds up to a car that now has outstanding underbody protection from corrosion, typically unavoidable for cars driven on UK roads all year round.
The documented history folder, contains the registration document and clear Total Vehicle Check dated 20/02/2024.
The file contains extensive maintenance and parts invoices, dating from 2011.
The file also contains a collection of MOT certificates dating back to 2014 to the most recent issued in 2023, which expires in November this year.
The service booklet shows 16 stamps to date all except 3 being from Ford main dealers.
Finally, the car comes with a 2 sets of keys and remote key fobs and its original Ford owners folder, which contains the Owner’s Handbook, Service Booklet and Audio System guide.
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