| World debut | 2008 British International Motor Show | 2009 Ford Focus RS |

After years of rumour and speculation Ford's will-they-or-won't-they-build-it flagship Focus RS hot hatch has finally been revealed in London at the British International Motor Show. The waiting for the mega-performance hatch isn't entirely over, as although Ford revealed its bright-green monster at the show it remains tight-lipped about some of the details for now. What it's not keeping secret about is the RS's power, the Focus producing a thumping 295bhp from its 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine. It's the RS's 324lb.ft of torque that raises most eyebrows though, particularly as the RS is front rather than four-wheel drive.

That's a decision that Jost Capito, RS Team leader, defends on a number of levels, including cost, weight and complexity. Ford reckons it's got the perfect solution to putting all that power through the front wheels too: a new RevoKnuckle front suspension combined with a Quaife limited-slip differential. Capito says that when benchmarking against four-wheel drive rivals the RS is at no disadvantage, describing the combined effect of the new suspension and differential as 'unbelievable'. More than merely a reworked ST, Capito describes the RS as "completely re-engineered", it sitting on a significantly widened track that necessitates the heavily blistered wheelarches. Around the back there's a huge diffuser with two tailpipes poking out and a large roof-mounted spoiler.

Looking every inch the rally refugee the RS promises to be a hugely entertaining car to drive. Performance figures have yet to be revealed, but Capito suggests a sub six-second 0-62mph time. That puts the RS up with some serious sportscar competition, and although Ford isn't talking prices what is certain is that it'll be significantly less than virtually anything its performance rivals. Think in the region of £25-26,000. It might have been a long time coming, but it looks like it's been well worth the wait.

Kyle Fortune - 24 Jul 2008