Car Of The Day: December 22, 2010

Today's car of the day is Hot Wheels' 2010 Ford Focus RS.

The Ford Focus RS (Rallye Sport) is a low-volume high-performance version of the Ford Focus positioned above the ST model within the Focus range. The Focus RS is manufactured in Saarlouis, Germany, but developed by the British Ford TeamRS in Dunton, England.

The Mark 1 Focus RS was a limited production run available in 21 European countries. The Mark 2 Focus RS based on the second-generation Focus is in current production, the last 500 of which will be offered as a limited edition, serialized special model designated Focus RS500. The 101 units designated for the UK (with RH drive) were sold out within days of its launch, so a kit was offered to upgrade any RS Mk2 to the RS500's power, if not its exclusivity.

For more information and pictures of the real car please visit: Ford Focus RS

A nice replica from Hot Wheels- definitely one of the highlights of the 2010 range!  While this car was not offered for sale in the United States, it was sold in Mexico and the Jalopnik detailed one member's efforts to import one from there.  Just goes to show that a lot of the most awesome Fords have never been available here in the USA!

When Ford completed the production run of the Mk I, Ford of Britain's managing director Paul Thomas said "We always knew Focus RS would be a sales winner, but we could never have predicted its fantastic reception and the effect it had in re-igniting passion for the Ford RS brand."

In 2008, Ford revealed the new Focus RS in "concept" form at the British International Motor Show. Contrary to speculation, the new Focus RS does not have twin turbochargers or all-wheel drive. The Volvo-engineered 5 cylinder engine was upgraded to produce 305 PS (224 kW; 301 hp) and 440 N·m (325 lb·ft) of torque. 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration was quoted to be under 6 seconds. The RS is all about the Volvo-engineered 2,522cc five-cylinder engine found in the Focus ST, but it's been heavily modified. A larger Borg Warner K16 turbo now delivers up to 20.3-psi of boost, exactly double that of the 225-hp ST's engine. A new air-to-air intercooler has been developed as a complement, while the forged crankshaft, silicon-aluminum pistons, graphite-coated cylinder bores, 8.5:1 compression ratio and variable valve timing also up the power output.. The car remains front wheel drive, but to reduce torque steer uses a Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing LSD, and a specially designed MacPherson strut suspension at the front called RevoKnuckle, which provides a lower scrub radius and kingpin offset than traditional designs while avoiding the increased weight and complexity of double wishbone and multi-link suspension setups. Ford UK claim: "It’s as close as you’ll come to driving a full-spec rally car (Ford Focus RS WRC).