2016 Ford Focus RS Delivers 345 HP With 'Specially Engineered' EcoBoost Mill

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Ahead of its arrival at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex, England, the 2016 Ford Focus RS’ horsepower figures were officially revealed.

Ford says the hot hatch’s “specially engineered 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine” is good for 345 horsepower and 324 lb-ft of torque to all four corners. The turbo-four shares the basics with the all-aluminum mill found on the Mustang, with upgrades including: a “low-inertia twin-scroll turbocharger with larger compressor”; “less restrictive intake design” for more breathing capability; larger intercooler and radiator for increased cooling; high-temp-resistant cylinder heads and high-tensile cast iron cylinder liners; and “a large-bore high performance exhaust system with an electronically controlled valve in the tailpipe that helps optimise the balance of back pressure and noise output.”

Other features linked to the powertrain include Ford’s Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring system, launch control, and a handful of driving modes, including an “industry-first” drift mode so one can drift in Formula D without first yanking out the front differential.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

More by Cameron Aubernon

Comments
Join the conversation
8 of 39 comments
  • PrincipalDan PrincipalDan on Jun 25, 2015

    Will they offer leases? (Fingers crossed...)

    • See 1 previous
    • SC5door SC5door on Jun 25, 2015

      @JimC2 It limits your 0-60 time into the middle of the econo car range. Faster than a Impreza, but slower than a Forte.

  • GeneralMalaise GeneralMalaise on Jun 25, 2015

    Great specs, terrible looks. Resembles an insect from "Rodan".

  • Noble713 Noble713 on Jun 26, 2015

    I'm still waiting to see the price for a RHD one of these in Japan. I'm anticipating heart-stopping sticker shock.

  • Timothy Timothy on Jun 26, 2015

    Yup yup yup yup. All the yups. I was excited with the rumored 320hp. I'm ecstatic with 345.

    • See 1 previous
    • Timothy Timothy on Jun 26, 2015

      @bball40dtw It has been yes. I got the car back a week and a half ago. Even better than that is I called and spoke to my Ford Regional Customer Care manager about all the trials and tribulations with my ST and asked if they would extend Ford Premium Care (a bumper to bumper warranty) through 5 years / 75k at no cost to me and they agreed. With that very inexpensive (on Fords part) decision Ford has won a fan for life. That is customer service. Very impressed with FoMoCo beyond the product.

Next