Performance Review: Ford Focus RS500 - [2010]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Focus Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Focus RS500 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2010. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2011 SSC Tuatara 6.9L V8 Twin Turbo and the 2010 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 Super Sport.This particular Ford Focus has a 2521cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 5 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St5's includes the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo

The Focus shares its Petrol St5 engine configuration with the likes of the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo and the 2018 Audi TT RS 2.5 Turbo. 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 1468 kgs (3236 lbs) this makes the Ford Focus RS500 in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Focus shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 2521cc 20V St5 engine produces 350 bhp (260 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Turbo St5 throws out 339 lb-ft (459.6 Nm) @ 2500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (317 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 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 2016 Mercedes C Class 63 AMG Saloon (263.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Focus.

The Ford Focus has a Power to weight ratio of 238.4 bhp per ton and 230.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2010 Focus competing with the 2016 Mercedes C Class 63 AMG Saloon (263.4 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Audi A8 S8 4.0 V8 Turbo (263.2 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 230.9 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 2021 BMW i4 M50 (255.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2014 Chevrolet SS 6.2 V8 (255.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.6 secs, this made the Ford Focus RS500 as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (5.40 secs) the 2019 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi TCR 2.0 Turbo (5.40 secs) the or the 2019 Jaguar F Type 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet (5.40 secs). This Ford Focus RS500 is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the and the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Focus and the 1968 Dodge Coronet Super Bee 6.3 V8 383

When talking about the performance of the Ford Focus on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.93 secs @ 105.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1968 Dodge Coronet Super Bee 6.3 V8 383 (12.87 secs), the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Biturbo (12.88 secs), and the 1970 Ford Torino 2nd Gen Cobra SportsRoof Boss (12.89 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2010 version of the Ford Focus RS500 has a maximum speed of 165mph.

Top Speed of the 2010 Focus equals the 2018 Jaguar F-Pace SVR 5.0 V8 Supercharged (176 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2010 Ford Focus RS500 then how about the 2018 Jaguar F-Pace SVR 5.0 V8 Supercharged (176 mph), the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio 2.9 V6 Bi Turbo (176 mph), or the 2015 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S 4.8 V8 (176 mph).

Related Links:

2010 Focus Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison