SHARP FOCUS

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Jul 6, 2008 | by QUENTIN WILLSON

THE star of this month's London Motor Show will be Ford's new 150mph Focus RS.

Promising nearly 300bhp and a sub-six-second 60-dash, the skirted and spoilered Focus is claimed to offer the best mix of performance, handling and road-holding in its class - no mean boast when you consider the awesome abilities of Subaru's Impreza and Mitsubishi's Evo X.

Despite the potentially skittish combo of a heavily-tweaked 2.5 fivepot turbo engine and front-wheel drive, engineers say there'll be virtually no torque steer and the RS will be tractable and docile enough to be a daily driver.

Looking 10 times more aggressive than its Sierra and Escort Cosworth forebears, this fearsome Focus will have vice-like brakes, razor-sharp steering rack, 19-inch rubber and colour-coded Recaro seats. And just to show that Ford boffins really do know what they're talking about, lucky owners will be allowed to switch off the traction control to indulge in powerslides and general hoonery.

Insiders say Ford could have made the RS more extreme, but preferred something that buyers could use 365 days a year. In fact, the Blue Oval is so confident that this is the ultimate fast Focus, they say it'll be the last ever Ford to wear an RS badge if it doesn't do the business.

On sale early next year, the RS should weigh in at around pounds 25,000. Even in this climate I don't think Ford need worry. Seconds after the order book opens, every RS will be spoken for.

5EX ON WHEELS

There are some hidden (and inexpensive) gems in the DVLA's August posh plate sale. AUN 71E (for your favourite aunt) is reserved at a modest pounds 450. Even better if her name is Betty is BET 71E at pounds 900. BRA 551E made me smile at pounds 400, and so did the cheeky GET 50M at pounds 500 or S1 NUS and SSS 5S, both at pounds 900. Best of all has to be OS05EXY (OHSOSEXY), reserved at pounds 900, although, trust me, that one's going to make a mint. Details at www.dvlaregistrations.co.uk.

TECH FILE

Engine: 2521cc turbo

Power: 296hp

0-60: 5.9

Max: 150mph

Price: Less than pounds 25k

In A Word: Ford's found its future