2003 Ford Focus RS Mk1

In 2002, Ford launched the Focus RS, returning those famous letters to one of its cars for the first time since the Ford Escort RS Cosworth. The new Focus RS was inspired by Colin McRae's WRC rally exploits and featured a 2-litre Duratec RS engine with an advanced turbocharging system and oil-spray cooled pistons to achieve more power - which eventually peaked at 215bhp and 0-60mph in 6.4 seconds. The chassis was developed and a Quaife torque-biasing differential (when you turned into a corner and applied the power, it dug in like no other front-drive car to make the Focus superlatively quick across country) fitted to ensure optimal front-wheel drive tractability. Suspension was by uprated offset coil springs with Sachs Racing dampers whilst stopping power was provided by Brembo brakes. The cabin was competition-inspired and featured leather and Alcantara Sparco seats. The exterior of the car took a number of styling cues from the WRC rally car and even used custom 18'' O.Z. Racing alloy wheels as a nod to its competition cousin.

Making the Focus RS this good on back roads meant changing almost every component; in the end, the roof, doors and bonnet remained the same as any other three-door Focus, but the rest of the exterior bodywork was new. In all, 521 parts were created just for the Focus RS, from the Sparco seats and handbrake lever, unique dials, and starter button to the suspension and brakes.

Ford built 4,501 Focus RS Mk1s, all individually numbered and all thought to have been sold at a £4,000 loss to the company. Out of that total, 2,147 RS Mk1s were sold in the UK, making it by far the biggest single market for the car that was only sold in Imperial Blue. Today, the Focus RS Mk1 maybe still splits drivers’ views, but what isn’t in doubt is this is now a prized modern classic.

The car presented here is a 2003 Focus RS Mk1 which is superbly-presented and original, has covered just under 16,000 miles and has a reassuringly thorough Ford main dealer maintenance history. Interestingly, it was featured in the ‘Essential Buyer’s Guide’  for the Mk1 Focus RS and ST170 and was previously owned by the head of the Mk1 Focus RS Owner’s Club. It is accompanied by the original owner’s book-pack, original Sales Invoice and documentation, MOT certificates, servicing invoices and two keys with alarm fobs.

The car was last serviced in August 2021 at 15,946 miles by Ford main dealer Coopers of Oulton, who changed the engine oil and filter. Prior to this, Sandicliffe Ford Store performed oil changes in August 2020 at 15,635 miles, and in July 2019 at 15,519 miles. Full servicing details below:

• Aug 2021 – 15,946 miles – Ford Coopers of Oulton
• Aug 2020 – 15,635 miles – Sandicliffe Ford Store
• Jul 2019 – 15,519 miles – Sandicliffe Ford Store
• May 2018 – 15,159 miles – Sandicliffe Ford Store
• Apr 2017 – 14,641 miles – Ford Perrys, Mansfield
• Apr 2016 – 14,000 miles – Lookers Ford, Leeds
• Apr 2015 – 13,098 miles – Benfield Ford, Leeds
• Apr 2014 – 12,203 miles – Benfield Ford, Leeds
• Apr 2013 – 11,213 miles – Benfield Ford, Leeds
• Apr 2011 – 8,857 miles – Benfield Ford, Leeds
• Apr 2010 – 8,307 miles – Benfield Ford, Leeds
• Apr 2009 – 6,844 miles – Benfield Ford, Leeds
• May 2008 – 5,396 miles – Benfield Ford, Leeds
• Apr 2006 – 3,630 miles – Benfield Ford, Leeds
• Apr 2005 – 2,985 miles – Benfield Ford, Leeds
• Apr 2004 – 2,300 miles – Benfield Ford, Leeds

Described by EVO magazine as "a blisteringly quick and rewarding machine", the Mk1 Ford Focus RS is fast becoming an iconic hot hatch, which combines phenomenal pace, purposeful styling, and engrossing handling and this superbly-presented collector-quality example is destined to take pride of place in any collection of Performance Fords.