A New Limited Edition Ford Focus RS RS500

A new and powerful limited edition Ford Focus RS model, called the RS500, is being launched as the ultimate performance Ford and will provide the definitive driving experience for serious performance car enthusiasts.

Making its global debut at the 2010 Leipzig Motor Show in Germany on 9th April 2010, the new model has been given the Ford Focus RS500 designation to highlight its strictly-limited production run of 500 individually-numbered vehicles, all of which will be offered for customers to purchase - 101 of them in the UK.

The new Ford Focus RS500 features a muscular 350 PS 2.5-litre 5-cylinder engine, which generates 15 per cent more power than the standard Focus RS and delivers truly exhilarating performance.

The Ford Focus RS500's breathtaking power is matched by an equally dramatic appearance. The limited edition model sports a unique matt black 'foil' paint finish with matching alloy wheels to deliver a powerful visual impact which is unlike any other production Ford.

Each Ford Focus RS500 will carry a metal plaque on the centre console, hand-engraved with a unique identification number from 001 to 500.

To provide the Ford Focus RS500 with a fitting power unit, the 305 PS turbocharged Duratec RS 2.5-litre engine from the standard Ford Focus RS has been upgraded to deliver significantly more top-end and mid-range power, but without compromising the base engine's strength and responsiveness at lower revs.

Peak power is increased by 45PS to 350PS at 6,000rpm, while torque has been increased from 440 to 460Nm, delivered across a broad speed range from 2,500 to 4,500rpm.

Preliminary performance figures for the Ford Focus RS500 indicate that it achieves 0-100km/h in 5.6 seconds, with a top speed similar to the 263 km/h in the standard Ford Focus RS.

The standard Ford Focus RS already creates a lasting impression with its functional yet striking design, but the unique matt black 'foil' paint finish of the Ford Focus RS500 makes this limited edition car even more special.

Stunning matt black bodywork is combined with matching metallic black alloy wheels, and the gloss black finish of the trapezoidal lower front grille and splitter, twin-blade rear spoiler and the rear venturi, which manages airflow beneath the rear of the car.

Small flashes of colour around the vehicle - including the red brake calipers, blue RS badges, and the special blue and red RS500 badge on the tailgate - only serve to emphasise the car's unique appearance.

The matt black foil finish for the Ford Focus RS500 was developed in partnership with the technology company 3M, which specialises in advanced film products for the automotive industry.

All Ford Focus RS500 vehicles will be painted in a standard Panther Black metallic colour, before being shipped to a dedicated 3M facility near Frankfurt, Germany, where a special foil film will be applied to the bodywork to create the matt black effect.

All Ford Focus RS500 vehicles will be equipped to a very high specification as standard, with only two features available as optional items. In addition to the comprehensive equipment levels on the standard Focus RS, the RS500 includes the following features as standard:

• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Heated windscreen
• Rear parking distance sensors
• Tyre deflation detection system
• Automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers
• Auto dimming rear-view mirror
• Ford key-free start
• Enhanced connectivity with Bluetooth, voice control and USB port
• Sony 6-CD audio system
• Recaro sports front seats with partial leather trim

The two optional features are touchscreen DVD navigation and audio system, and the full leather Recaro front seats in red.