The combination of excellent mechanical grip and the limited-slip differential allow much of the power and torque to be delivered as possible.
Key to the RS’s usability is the torque delivery. A constant 324lb ft from 2300rpm to 4500rpm makes it easy to add speed from almost any point in the rev range.
The RS’s fettled 2.5-litre five-pot revs to 7050rpm, and peak power is produced at 6500rpm.
Like the Focus ST, you sense the engine is delivering its best through the mid-range, but the modifications made for the RS give it a keener, freer-revving top end.
Ford has also incorporated a pronounced ramp-up in torque and power from 1800-2250rpm, which is a bit of trickery to accentuate the sense of the turbo kicking in and mask the linear delivery.
More enjoyable still are the noises emitted from the engine bay: induction thrum, turbo whistle, exhaust crackle or occasional pop. From the outside it is comic book rude.
The gearbox (tougher but with the same ratios as the ST) is good but not great. Overall the shift quality and mechanical interaction are a little ordinary for such an extraordinary car.
Similarly, the brakes could be better. While we have no issue with the outright stopping distance, pedal feel and modulation aren’t quite up to Ford’s exacting standards.
RevoKnuckle or not, the RS torque steers. Throw in a bit of steering angle or a mid-corner bump, or both, and the wheel can tug quite forcibly. However, given the performance available, the level of torque steer is perfectly manageable.
The RS is well judged for road driving; it is exhilarating, confidence inspiring and fun, without ever becoming intimidating.
At town speeds, and sometimes at sub-50mph speeds on really poor B-roads, the ride is firm, but the damping is excellent and with speed the ride calms down significantly. And when the roads get really tough the body control is absolutely first rate.
