2016 Ford Focus RS Pricing — Here’s What You Need to Know

The Internet is a great place for car lovers. Not only do we get seemingly up-to-the-minute, behind-the-scenes updates about cars that are coming down the pipeline — it seems like we get leaked prices, too.

It took Ford long enough to reveal the specs of the upcoming 2016 Focus RS. As such, it seemed like it was going to take forever for the American carmaker to unveil the new model’s pricing. But thanks to a digital mishap, the pricing for the new car leaked online late last month.

Starting just south of $36,000, the new Focus RS can be decked out with a sunroof, navigation, 19-inch alloy wheels and Michelin cup tires, pulling the price up to $42,275. Those four options were the only ones visible in the leak — one could reasonably assume there will be a whole lot more available just like all the cool things that could be added to the Focus ST.

The leaked pricing reveals Ford is positioning its Focus RS between two competing vehicles: the 2015 Subaru WRX STI, which starts a little north of $35,000, and the Volkswagen Golf R, which will sell for somewhere in the neighborhood of $37,500.

What’s Under the Hood, Anyway?

For years, if you wanted a sleek, high-powered Ford sports car, you generally had one option: Grab a Mustang.

Now, the Focus RS shatters that paradigm. Boasting an Ecoboost engine with four cylinders that draws 345 horsepower, the 2016 Ford Focus RS also has 347 pound-feet of torque, outpacing both the WRX STI and Golf R.

And the car seems like it’ll be fun as heck to drive: With a six-speed manual gearshift, the Focus RS also features a larger intercooler, a freer-flowing intake, a larger turbo compressor and a better-performing exhaust system than its Mustang counterpart.

Whetting People’s Appetites

When Ford unveiled the Focus RS on the track in March, car enthusiasts across the globe began salivating by imagining themselves behind the wheel. At that time, Ford let some details out, but didn’t let anyone know how many ponies would be packed under the hood.

Some folks estimated the Focus RS would have the power of 320 horses. But 345? Color me surprised. Compared to the WRX STI’s 305 horsepower and the Golf R’s 292 horsepower, the Focus RS is poised to blow both of its competitors out of the water.

An Incredible Drift Mode

Beyond that, the new Focus will be outfitted with “drift mode” — a phrase all car enthusiasts are undoubtedly familiar with. For those who are just cutting their teeth in the world of automobiles, “drift mode” refers to being able to “hang the tail out” when you go around corners and sharp turns. Not only is it super fun to drive, it allows you to power through turns while maintaining control.

Ford has finally outdone itself with the Focus RS. Not only is the car reasonably priced, it’s also well suited to thrive on both the track and the day-to-day roadways you rely on.

How does the new Ford sound to you? If you’re like most gearheads, you’ll probably want to put yourself behind the wheel right away. But you’ll have to wait just a bit: The 2016 Ford Focus RS will be available at dealerships in the United States come spring.

 

2016 Ford Focus RS