Ford Focus RS: Maximum Performance, Modest Cost

• Ford Focus RS priced at £19,995 on-the-road
• High safety and security for low insurance - rated 16A
• Single, unique specification with no options
• Authentic motorsport suppliers for real rally car feel
• On sale in UK 1 October 2002

High performance thrills will be easier on your pocket next month, when the WRC-inspired Ford Focus RS officially goes on sale, priced at £19,995 on-the-road.

Developed with Ford's WRC drivers and featuring renown motorsport suppliers such as Sparco, OZ Racing and Brembo, the exclusive, 215PS turbocharged 2.0-litre Ford Focus marks the long-awaited return of the legendary Ford RS badge, which has graced Ford's hottest Ford road cars for over 30 years.

With an official 0-60mph time of 6.4 seconds, an interior of carbon-fibre, leather, aluminium and alcantara, 18-inch OZ Racing wheels, purposeful aerodynamic front air dam, rear spoiler, WRC-car chassis settings and even a starter button and a gear change light, the Ford Focus RS is designed from the ground up to be the closest you can get to Colin McRae's WRC challenger.

The sporting intent is not at the expense of luxury however, with the standard equipment list also including an in-dash, six-CD autochanger and air-conditioning.

Owning a Ford Focus RS is as practical as it is exciting, thanks to passenger and luggage space equal to the standard Ford Focus and a high level of standard safety and security features - including twin airbags, ABS, Safeguard immobiliser and Category 1 Thatcham alarm system. Such features also ensure an affordable insurance rating of 16A for Ford Focus RS.

Ownership costs are made even more attractive with Ford Focus RS returning a healthy 28.0mpg and 237g/km CO2 on the EC combined driving cycle.

"This is a truly exciting and exclusive high performance car, developed by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts - yet it retains all the style and practicality for which Ford Focus is renown," explains Ford's Director of Marketing, Peter Fleet. "At £19,995, Ford Focus RS offers quite extraordinary value for the driving enthusiast. RS is back!"

All Ford Focus RS carry the same, unique specification, with no options and are available in a single colour - the striking Imperial Blue metallic. A maximum of 30 per day will be built at Ford's Saarlouis production plant, Germany, with approximately half destined for UK customers.

Ford Focus is still the UK's best selling car and more popular now than ever before, accounting for one in four of all new cars sold in Britain.