THE FORD FOCUS RS500 IS BAD TO THE BONE – WITH GALLERY

Menacing: to constitute a threat to; endanger. Ominous: portending evil or harm; foreboding; threatening; inauspicious.

Think in terms of the Ferrari 430 Scuderia, a harrowing alternative to the not-at-all-regular Ferrari F430. Or maybe you’re more familiar with the Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera. As shown in the video yesterday, the Superleggera takes the Raging Bull brand to an even angrier level. Now that you’ve got the picture, take the engine from the middle and place it in the front. Forget powering the rear wheels or even all four and send “just” 345 horsepower to the front of the car. Strip away the majestic bodywork and turn the car into a hatchback instead.

While we’re at it, why not strip away a couple hundred thousand dollars, anticipating the subsequent loss of technology and kit. Italian badges are forsaken for the Blue Oval. What have we here? The Ford Focus RS500. Get more details, and check out the pictures in the Gallery, after the jump.

Only 500 will be made. These ominous, menacing versions of the wicked fast Ford Focus RS will be produced in Saarlouis, Germany, at the end of the Focus RS’s run in September. The only markets open to the Ford Focus RS500 are 20 European countries, although Brits will surely take the largest chunk. Their craving for hot hatches, and hot Fords in particular, will not be sated.

Torque jumps to 339 lb-ft. This ensures Focus RS500 owners will endure white knuckle drives to the end of the lane to collect the mail. A journey across the North York Moors could result in significant arm fatigue. Reining in 345 bhp and 339 lb-ft of torque with wheels also responsible for steering ain’t easy. Ford engineers are big fans of their RevoKnuckle suspension, but ya can’t argue with physics. Chassis design, brakes, and tires continue unchanged from the Focus RS.

Ford Focus RS500 customers will have Panther Black metallic paint. 3M then applies a special foil to generate the matt black effect. Yes, the engine is incredible. The exclusivity is worth serious coin in hot hatch-crazy markets. But the paint – oh, the paint – has got to bring in a few buyers on its own merit.

The options list is brief. Navigation? Not necessary. Full red Recaro seats? Perhaps a bit garish. Stick with the standard car, pay handsomely for it, and be prepared for an exciting (and nervewracking) first drive before absorbing very little depreciation and selling up in a few months time. For those of us in North America, we remain ~~content with~~ hateful of the Ford Focus SES Coupe.

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