C'mon, Ford! The Focus RS is a great driver, and we need it here now

By JULIAN RENDELL

A picture of The 2009 Ford Focus RS packs 301 hp.

The 2009 Ford Focus RS packs 301 hp.

The first corner you exit flat-out in the new Ford Focus RS signals that this is a very special car. Instead of the expected lengthy squeal of rubber and a pile of wheelspin, there's a chirp from the front and a squirm in the driver's hand, and the RS rockets toward the next corner, hardly missing a beat.

With 301 hp pulsating through the front wheels, this is a special engineering feat--and a win for Ford's new secret weapon, the "RevoKnuckle." Essentially a new front-strut design, it has a free-floating hub that aligns the steering axis with the center of the tire contact area, a change that just about nullifies torque steer.

By getting torque steer under control, Ford doesn't need a snatchy limited-slip diff--which dangerously corrupted the behavior of the previous Focus RS--and it results in civilized behavior, considering the snarling performance of the 2.5-liter turbo-charged five-cylinder.

The 0-to-62-mph time doesn't look that quick on paper at 5.9 seconds, but the RS's strong point is straight-shortening midrange urge. Crack open the throttle on the move, and the RS rockets forward, accompanied by an offbeat five-cylinder warble that's faintly confusing if you're a rally head, because that's the noise a rally Audi is meant to make.

Of course, the RS has another trick up its sleeve: a beautifully poised and compliant chassis. This is no filling-loosening ride--firm, yes, but absolutely everyday livable. In this regard, the RS ups the Blue Oval's peerless reputation for chassis integrity another notch.

There's just one fault with the RS: The driver's bucket seat is set far too high. You get used to it, but it would be far more in tune with the RS's competition heritage to sit about two inches lower.

The RS is on sale only in Europe now, but rumors abound about it coming to the United States, particularly since the car's architect, Jost Capito, now has a desk in Detroit as Ford's global performance-car boss. We can only hope.

It's more likely, though, that the next-generation Focus, due next year, will be the basis for a global Focus RS in a handful of years--a bit of a wait but well worth the anticipation.

SPECS: '09 FORD FOCUS RS

Now in Europe

BASE PRICE: $36,500

DRIVETRAIN: 2.5-liter, 301-hp, 324-lb-ft, turbocharged I5; FWD, six-speed manual

CURB WEIGHT: 3,234 lb

0-60 MPH: 5.9 seconds (mfr)

FUEL ECONOMY: 30 mpg (Europe)