Ford Focus RS news - Focus RS500 revealed - 2010 pics revealed

Oh. My. God. Ford has released details and pics showing an exciting new method of torque steering into the nearest hedge/field/lamppost: the Ford Focus RS500.

The limited edition Focus RS500 - just 500 will be built - comes with a tweaked version of the RS's 2.5-litre turbo'd five-pot, producing 345bhp and 340lb ft of pulling power. Expect Biblical levels of steering chaos as you try to turn the wheel and end up in another dimension.

See images of the new Ford Focus RS500

The new RS500 does the 0-62mph sprint in just 5.6 seconds - three-tenths faster than standard - and tops out at 163mph.

Amazingly, Ford's engineers have left the complicated ‘RevoKnuckle' front suspension setup untouched because they reckon it can handle the extra grunt. Helpfully, they spent the remainder of the time thrashing the bejesus out of the RS500 to test its track durability.

The RS500 was nailed non-stop for 500 tortuous laps of the Nurburgring and engineers reckon they can hit an eight-minute lap time.

To give it that unique pub brawler look, the Focus RS500 is finished in Batman-spec ‘Panther' matt black with metallic black 19-inch alloys, a twin-blade rear spoiler and special RS500 numbering plaques.  

We very much want to drive this thing. Sideways. And on fire. Now exiting stage left...

Check out the teaser vid below of the RS500 at Ford's Lommel Proving Ground in Belgium.

Vijay Pattni