For those of you who do not know: Tanner Foust is a professional racing driver, stunt driver, and television host. So its really no surprise why Ford picked him to get behind the wheel of the new Focus RS500. Better than just driving it around the block, Foust took the RS500 to the Nurburgring and pushed it to its very limits.
The Focus RS500 is powered a 2.5L 20 V DOHC RS engine that delivers a total of 345 HP (up from the standard 300 HP that comes with the Focus RS) and a peak torque of 339 lb/ft. The result is a sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and a top speed of 163 mph.
So what do you think? Was he able to push the boundaries of the Focus RS500’s power and the beauty? All you need to do is watch the video and you will find out!
The Focus RS is maybe one of the few Ford models that are just perfect from factory, but since there is always room for improvement, Kahn Design is offering an aerodynamic package that will make the RS look even more impressive.
The package includes a Kahn lowering module, red calipers, Kahn privacy glass, and a Kahn exhaust, along with a new back spoiler, side vents, rear and front diffusers, and bonnet vents, all in matte black for an even sportier and intense driving experience.
The final touch for the exterior of the Focus RS has been provided by a new set of wheels bearing the legendary Cosworth mark. They are available in 17, 18, and 19 inch sizes, depending on the customer’s request.
The interior of the Focus RS follows along with the usual tuning trends from Kahn; customers can choose from a wide array of customization accessories to illustrate the customers’ personality. The tuner has promised to go as far as to paint the exterior the color of the customer’s shirt and the interior the same shade of your living room.
About a week after tuning company Anderson Germany treated us to a stealthy upgrade of the Ford Focus RS, another German aftermarket company has taken a stab at their own program for the American hot hatch.
MR Car Design developed the latest in a long line of performance kits for the Focus RS, one that takes the hot hatch’s 300-horsepower output and bumps it up all the way to 360 horsepower. This was accomplished when the German tuning company fitted the Focus RS with a new custom-made exhaust system with its own downpipe and a 200-cell catalytic converter. They also added a new air filter courtesy of K&N, as well as a newly-optimized engine management system.
While the engine remains the same - a 2.5-liter 20-Valve DOHC - the original 300-horsepower has jumped to a whole new level - 360 horsepower - resulting in a car that can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 5.9 seconds.
It’s not the fastest-tuned Focus RS we’ve seen, but anytime you can pack as many as 360 ponies on a hatchback, you know you’ve got a car that can throw down with the best of ’em.
We’re used to seeing these "Black Edition" tuning packages from Anderson Germany on many different sports cars available, but their latest project seems to be a little on the questionable side of the spectrum. The talented tuning firm has gone from the Ferrari 458 Italia and the Audi R8 V10 to a run-of-the-mill Ford Focus RS. Don’t shake your heads just yet though; after all, thrill-seeking speed is not just for people with thick wallets and hefty bank accounts.
Like with all of the other Black packages offered by Anderson Germany, the RS Black Racing Edition starts off with a black exterior and red contrasts. The aerodynamic package includes more pronounced wheel arches, an extra thick spoiler, and a matte black wrap. For the interior, the tuner has added leather upholstery, Alcantara, and beautiful red stitching.
The real work, however, was done under the hood. Anderson Germany took a hatchback that produced 305 HP out of its 2.5L 20 V DOHC RS engine and added a turbo system and a new exhaust to achieve 420 HP. Now that’s how you kick a hatchback in the ass and get it going.
It may not be a sports car, but at least now it can drive like one.
The Ford Focus RS is no doubt a very powerful car, but it’s simply not powerful enough for a car with its stance. Enter German tuner, Stoffler, with their new series of updates. Thanks to the adapted intercooler, the improved fuel pump, the down pipe, and the suction pipe, the 2.5 liter engine found in the sporty hatchback has been updated to deliver 356 HP and a peak torque of 440 NM.
This package also comes with a choice of three different exhaust systems for optimal power performance, including a sport exhaust with remote-control made from stainless steel. And if you want even more, Stoffler is also offering 200 cell sport catalytic converters and GGR Sport Air Filter or the GGR Carbon Air Filter. The package comes with all the MOT certification for driving on regular roads.
Stoffler didn’t unveil how these new additions would affect the car’s performance, but we figure they still won’t be as good as the tuning package provided by BBR for the same hatchback. BBR was able to get the Focus to deliver 404hp and 408 lb.-ft. of torque, which, in our books, makes their package that much better. Aesthetically speaking, the two versions are pretty similar so it really comes down to the performance aspect. Nice try, Stoffler, but BBR has you beat.
