It didn’t have the dynamic levels that Ford has become known for and therefore we couldn’t envisage going down that route. We drove it and, well, let’s say it was not satisfying to us. “We actually built a four-wheel drive prototype three or four years ago, using more traditional technology. We’ve been there and done that with RS this time we wanted a different kind of RS.” “It would have been the easiest thing in the world to add 60bhp, put bigger wheels and tyres on and bolt a wing to the back – but all of us at Ford were clear that we weren’t interested in that. How quickly did you settle on the technical specification? Specific approval came at the end of 2013.” Compared to making money on this kind of car, finding an extra 100bhp or so is easy. Certainly the engineers started thinking about it the day they signed off the last one, but of course there has to be a business case behind any decision to actually make it. “We started talking about it some time ago. When did Ford start work on the new Focus RS? Q&A with Tyrone Johnson, Ford Focus RS engineering manager “There needs to be the horsepower to go along with that, too,” said Block “They’re really hit the mark with it, the fit and finish is really nice.” The Focus ST is already quite nice to drive, but this is just another level.
Read more about the Ford Focus RS’s technical specifications here It’s been fun to help with the development because all the testing and development I’ve done in the past has been on race cars. Speaking to Autocar at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where Ken Block drove up the famous hill climb route, the racer said he had enjoyed working on the development of the car: “It’s a fun car. Relive the exclusive interview with him here Autocar caught up with Ken Block at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last year.