Ford Focus RS Could Go On Sale in US for $35,500 [Video]

Ford released Wednesday specifications for its newest hatchback and god is in the details.

The 2016 Ford Focus RS, which will be delivered to European customers in early 2016, will have 345 horsepower ( we already knew that), 324 pound-feet of torque (we knew that, too), 347 pound-feet of torque during 15 seconds of overboost (oh?); a top speed of 165 mph and a manufacturer-quoted 0-62 mph time of 4.7 seconds.

The Focus RS will sport “Launch Control” and “Drift Mode” buttons because you’ve earned that right, America. The Focus RS will go on sale in the U.S. in Spring 2016.

Ford in Europe announced that the Focus RS would start at €39,000 ($43,910), or roughly €10,000 ($11,250) more than its Focus RS. If the Focus RS in the States is $11,000 more dear than our Focus ST, initial prices for the uber hatch should start around $35,500.

(Thanks to bball40dtw for pointing out the Focus RS is on the configurator now with a price of $35,730 + destination).

Ford detailed its 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine lifted from the Mustang, but tuned for the Focus RS. In addition to a bigger boost that delivers 10-percent more horsepower than in the pony car, the Focus RS will also breathe more freely with a better air intake and large-bore exhaust in the rear.

The engine reaches peak output at 5,900 rpm, according to Ford, and is limited to 6,800 rpm. The Focus RS will only come with a manual transmission.

To manage all of its fury, the Focus RS will use electronically controlled clutch packs to manage power front-to-rear, and also side-to-side on the rear axle, to complement the car’s brake-controlled torque-vectoring system.

The Focus RS is one of 12 performance Ford cars that the company will release by 2020. The list also includes the Ford GT, Shelby GT350R, F-150 Raptor and Fiesta ST.