Ford Focus RS 500 2010 Pictures 
Save The Best For Last
It was predictable perhaps that when Ford launched their fastest ever Focus limited edition model at the end of the Second Generation’s life span we’d act like there was a catastrophic meteorite about to blast away tomorrow.
gallery (27 photos)
Pure infatuation is often fuelled by the feeling that whatever we want isn’t going to last or was never actually ours in the first place. True enough the Production of these limited edition models only lasted for 500 units worldwide and that was hardly enough to go around. Cleverly that left the door open for more money making in the shape of the Mountune MP350 RS upgrade kit which will take your standard Focus in to RS500 territory for just £1,995.
Mountune were the tuners which worked alongside Ford to develop the explosive performance in the limited edition model and in the words of Bruce Forthsyth ‘didn’t they do well.’ Resources in the Ford parts bin of course are pretty plentiful; things like doner engines can be made claim to like Burgers if you’re Mr McDonald. Volvo’s 2.5-litre turbocharged variety seemed like a good starting point and so Mountune got their tools on it and wrenched it clean of an extra 15% more power (345bhp) and 20Nm of torque (460Nm). An enlarged intercooler also made the standard item redundant as to make the most of the power available that turbocharger needs the best quality air (that being cooler and denser). A new fuel pump is also much more adept to keeping up with the delivery needs and a larger exhaust downpipe to make sure the gasses are expelled quick enough for the engine to keep pumping them out. Sweet. But what does it feel like to drive?
Kindly Ford saved a few fleet RS500’s for the likes of us freeloading journalists. Given an off road location with generous speed entitlements, little traffic and no lights or humps to impede us we were keen to test out the 0-62mph claim of 5.6 seconds and perhaps not push it to its top speed of 165mph but at least sail past the magic ton mark. Most of all we wanted to know that we could have even more fun than in a lesser RS while still remaining in control.
The truth is it’s as wild as you’d expect – when in full swing and you feel knuckle deep in its inner workings. No ‘are you sitting comfortably, ‘do you like it like this, dear.’ As its dark and moody exterior wrap implies your senses are exposed to the full wrath of its hard work and shocking intent. If it were a singer, it would be lady Gaga; pimples and all, you can’t get enough. The flip side to its rebellion and crassness is that it has the ability to be gentile when there’s police around or you want to win a few brownie points by bringing the groceries home or picking up the kids thanks to the useable range of torque.
In rain storms and traffic light shoot-outs you will be sharply reminded your car is not a Porsche and your back-end is better left, well at the back-end really. However you will also be mightily impressed at how its mere FWD roots are combated by its clever chassis balance and the die-hard grip. Is £35,450 too expensive? Try telling that to those who saw the meteorite coming at them tomorrow. Infatuation is a powerful thing and perception is everything!
CAR MAKE & MODEL
Ford Focus RS 500 2010 Pictures
CAR REF NUMBER
30306
CAR COLOUR
Matte Black
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