Video: sideways in the new Ford Focus RS

The Circuit des Ecuyers, an hour or so east of Paris, is more like a perfect B-road than a 'proper' race track. The run off zones are essentially bogs hidden beneath a sprinkling of grass, and full of the kind of mud that likes to steal your wellies. With temperatures hovering around freezing and a perma-damp surface, it certainly demands caution from the driver.

Unless you have a Focus RS at your disposal. In fact, it turned out to be pretty much ideal to show that despite weighing a few kilos more than an Mercedes A45 or Golf R, the AWD Focus has all the grip and agility in the twisty stuff to match its rivals, but also the ability to cut loose and drift like a WRC car on ice.

We tried to deliver a helpful review, we really did. We even mention the price, seat position and the words 'torque vectoring' at one point…

But ultimately, we ended up sliding and bouncing off the engine limiter. That's the thing with this car, it goads you on and it's not particularly bothered about lap times. It's proof that Ford know's exactly what makes us enthusiasts tick.

If you want a slightly more thorough review, click here for our first drive in the new Ford Focus RS.