Ford Focus RS500 (2010) first official pictures

This is the new Ford Focus RS500, a special limited edition version of the Blue Oval’s mad Focus RS hot hatch with 15% more power.

For a start there’s that extra power. Thanks to a larger air-to-air intercooler, a bigger air filter and a wider diameter exhaust downpipe (plus a new ECU to take advantage of the mechanical changes) peak power is up from 301bhp to 345lb ft at 6000rpm, while torque climbs from 325lb ft to 339lb ft. The result is a 5.6sec 0-62mph time (down three-tenths) while the top speed climbs two notches to 165mph.

The tweaks have been developed in conjunction with Revolve Technologies, the engineering firm behind the Mountune brand that tweaks the Focus ST and Fiesta. The rest of the Focus RS is mechanically unchanged.

It’s not paint but a foil. All Focus RS500s are painted in a black metallic colour but then sent to film specialists 3M in Frankfurt where the special foil is applied. Other visual tweaks include black alloy wheels and red brake callipers, plus blue and red RS500 badges.

Inside all the usual blue stitching of the Focus RS has been replaced with red thread, while the pattern on the gearstick is red too. Red leather Recaro seats are an option.

The Ford Focus RS500 will be officially revealed at the 2010 Leipzig motor show in Germany on April 9. Just 500 will be built (as the name suggests) with 101 coming to the UK. All RS500s come with a dash-mounted plaque to signify their build number, and prices should be around the £35k mark. The RS500 marks the end of production of the Mk2 Focus RS, and the last cars will be built at Ford’s Saarlouis factory in Germany in September 2010.

By Ben Pulman