Limited-Edition 2018 Focus RS gets LSD up front, Race Red Color

Ford will build only 1,500 examples in the U.S.A. and Canada.

The current-generation Ford Focus won’t be retiring quietly when it retires next year. Ford Performance has created a limited-edition Ford Focus RS 2018 model that offers two features Blue Oval hot-hat enthusiasts wanted: a limited slip front differential and a shade red for the exterior. The limited model also gets more standard equipment and a few extra touches that set it apart from the regular issue RS. The 350 horsepower is unchanged, and the drift button will continue to encourage sideways behavior. Ford said that it relied heavily upon input from customers and supporters when creating the car. A group of enthusiasts were invited to view the RS launch video. They were guided by Ken Block, master tire slayer, through the unveiling of the new model. Henry Ford, Ford Performance marketing director, stated in a press release that the limited-edition Focus RS will be brought to North America “To satisfy strong demand,” he said. We have spent a lot of time listening to our customers. This includes speaking with owners’ club members, studying comments and suggestions on enthusiast websites, as well as looking at various forum Photoshop renderings.

Limited-Edition 2018 Focus RS gets LSD up front, Race Red Color

Limited-Edition 2018 Focus RS gets LSD up front, Race Red Color

The new front differential is a Quaife mechanical unit, and it sends power to the front wheel with more grip. Ford claims that the Quaife unit will make the RS more agile out of corners and provide greater speed through turns than the stock open differential. Limited-edition models can also be ordered in the Race Red and Nitrous Blue colors. All models will receive plenty of gloss black on their roofs, mirrors and spoilers, regardless of which color they choose. Limited-edition RS receives additional standard equipment. The limited edition RS includes all the standard equipment, including the optional RS2 package, which included heated steering wheel, heated mirrors and black-trimmed Recaro heated seat. The door handles, handbrake lever and turbo boost gauge are all covered in carbon fiber trim. Standard are 19-inch painted forged wheels with blue RS center caps. We are curious if Ford will allow the new RS to race at the Nurburgring with the mechanical front differential. Honda’s Civic Type R ran 7 minutes 43 seconds, which is significantly faster than the RS driven by Germany’s Auto Sport. Ford plans to only build 1,500 limited-edition RS model, with 500 slated for Canada and 1,000 for the United States. They will be available in dealerships by the end of this year.