Ford
Focus RS (Mk1)

Why it matters

The first Focus RS was Ford's first RS-badged Focus and one of the early superhatches, built with body panels, suspension and a front differential inspired by Ford's WRC programme. It was a limited run finished only in Imperial Blue, and its rarity and RS provenance have made it a modern classic.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Production of the Focus RS ran from 2 October 2002 until 11 November 2003, during which 4,501 cars were built, 2,147 of them right-hand drive for the UK. The turbocharged Duratec RS engine used a Garrett GT2560 LS turbocharger and a water-air intercooler, and drive went through an uprated MTX-75 gearbox and a Quaife torque-biasing differential.

Only minor changes were made during the eleven-month run: an extra row of stitching on the front seat squabs, ECU re-mapping to cure a cold-start misfire, a new throttle-cable grommet and plastic covers on the rear seat hinges. Late 2003 'Phase 2' cars got updated engine management software, which Ford also retrofitted to earlier cars under recall.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

All cars were Imperial Blue with Sparco-branded seats trimmed in black and blue leather with integrated harness slots, a blue and black steering wheel with an oversteer indicator, a carbon-fibre centre console with start button, and a turbo boost gauge. RS-specific body panels (front and rear wings, deeper bumpers, tailgate spoiler) widen the car, and it rides on 8 x 18 inch five-spoke OZ Racing wheels with 225/45 R18 tyres and 325 mm front discs with four-piston Brembo calipers.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Guide: Ford Focus RS Mk1 (C170) Level A Supercar Nostalgia

   • 4501 cars were built, 2147 of which were right-hand drive for the UK market
   • turbocharged Duratec RS version of Ford's two-litre Zetec inline 'four'
   • Displacement was the familiar 1988cc
   • bore and stroke of 84.8mm and 88mm
   • aluminium alloy DOHC head, four valves per cylinder
   • new Garrett GT2560 LS turbocharger
   • uprated MTX-75 five-speed manual gearbox with custom ratios
   • MTX-75 five-speed manual
   • Quaife automatic torque biasing differential
   • MacPherson arrangement at the front
   • a multi-link axle at the rear
   • enlarged vented front discs ... 325mm and four-piston Brembo calipers. The solid 280mm rear discs
   • bodyshell with a 2615mm wheelbase
   • At 1278kg the Focus RS weighed in
   • Top speed went from 134mph to 144mph
   • A 55-litre fuel tank

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Supercar Nostalgia – Ford Focus RS Mk1 (C170) Level C

   • 4501 Focus RS built 2 Oct 2002 – 11 Nov 2003

   Accessed 2026-11-12
3. 3
   Ford Focus RS Mk1 review, history, prices and specs Level A evo

   • Power 212bhp @ 5500rpm
   • 212bhp @ 5500rpm
   • Torque 229lb ft @ 3500rpm
   • 229lb ft @ 3500rpm
   • 0-60mph 5.9sec (claimed)

   Accessed 2026-11-12