Despite all the mess that Top Gear found itself in during the ill-fated season-that-just-finished, Matt LeBlanc’s performance as Chris Evans’ co-host was one of the show’s few bright spots. For a man who was once known for his preference in being driven than him doing the actual driving, LeBlanc’s time at Top Gear seems to have satiated his appetite for performance cars, a belief that has been reinforced by a recent photo of the actor-turned-motoring-show-host showing off his new Ford Focus RS.

The photo of LeBlanc looking like a proud new dad to his Focus RS was actually uploaded by Ken Block, who complemented LeBlanc’s choice for a new ride in the most Ken Block way imaginable. Yep, as if the fact that LeBlanc is the new owner of the fantastic Focus RS isn’t interesting enough, Block had to point out the Focus RS’s Hooligan-themed license plate case in what could arguably be one of the most obvious celebrity plugs on Instagram right now.

Be that as it may, LeBlanc’s choice of a Ford Focus RS to be his new ride is an exciting one, especially when you let your imaginations run loose on the things that the former Friends actor is capable of doing on a rather interesting car that belies its incredible power and performance capabilities.

For those who need a refresher, LeBlanc’s new Ford Focus RS comes packed with a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that packs an impressive 350 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. It may not be the fastest and most powerful car that’s available on the market, but for what it’s worth, the Focus RS is arguably one of the most exciting ones to drive, something that LeBlanc appears to be all too excited to find out.

Continue after the jump to read the full story.

2017 Matt LeBlanc Has A New Ride And It's Smoking Tires Hot

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1985 Matt LeBlanc Has A New Ride And It's Smoking Tires Hot

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Why it matters

I am an unabashed fan of the Ford Focus RS, so if you’re looking for someone to throw any shade in the direction of LeBlanc for his choice of a new car, you’re not going to get it from me. I love that LeBlanc chose the Focus RS as his new car. It shows that despite his success and exposure on Top Gear, he’s not getting swept away with all the awesome cars he has been given the chance to drive.

I can’t even begin to imagine the temptation to just open up the checkbook and buy a Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren, especially when you consider that we’re talking about a guy who is more than capable of paying six digits for any one of those exotic brands. And yet, here he is, smiling from ear-to-ear with his new $35,000 toy. That’s the smile of a man who hasn’t gotten swept up with all the praise he’s been receiving for his stint in Top Gear. That’s the smile of a man who knows that he now has a car that can do all sorts of things that most exotics do at a fraction of the price.

Matt LeBlanc definitely knows his cars and this photo, more than anything else, tells us that in addition to knowing about them, he also has a good eye and quality taste for the ones that are worth buying. Oh and yes, Matt, as Ken Block puts in, bonus points on that Hoonigan license plate holder.

Ford Focus RS

Read our full review on the Ford Focus RS here.