Performance Review: Ford Focus RS - [2002]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Focus Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Focus RS is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2002. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12 and the 2002 Pagani Zonda C12 S 7.3.This particular Ford Focus has a 1988cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Focus shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Focus's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1278 kgs (2817 lbs) this makes the Ford Focus RS in the same weight category as the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Focus shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1988cc 16V St4 engine produces 212 bhp (158 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 229 lb-ft (310.4 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Focus you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1974 Lancia Stratos 2.5 V6 (190.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Focus.

The Ford Focus has a Power to weight ratio of 165.8 bhp per ton and 179.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2002 Focus competing with the 1974 Lancia Stratos 2.5 V6 (190.8 bhp per ton) or the 1970 Ford Falcon 4th Gen 351 V8 4-speed (190.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Focus generating around 179.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2005 Dodge Magnum 5.7 V8 RT (204.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (204.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.5 secs, this made the Ford Focus RS as fast as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs) the or the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs). This Ford Focus RS is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the and the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Focus and the 2011 Mazda 3 2.3 Mazdaspeed

When talking about the performance of the Ford Focus on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.63 secs @ 93.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2011 Mazda 3 2.3 Mazdaspeed (14.57 secs), the 1988 Maserati 222 E 2.8 V6 BiTurbo (14.57 secs), and the 2006 Lexus IS 350 3.5 V6 (14.57 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2002 version of the Ford Focus RS has a maximum speed of 144mph.

Top Speed of the 2002 Focus equals the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (155 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2002 Ford Focus RS then how about the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (155 mph), the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (155 mph), or the 2022 BMW 8 Series M850i xDrive 4.4 V8 Turbo G15 (155 mph).

Related Links:

2002 Focus Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison