Ford has released the first in a series of teaser videos for hot hatch fans aimed at the upcoming 2016 Ford Focus RS.

It’s a documentary produced by Ford to promote the RS, showing the car in action on ice and in the desert, and also being driven very sideways by Ken Block. This is a teaser campaign, with nine weekly videos released between now and the car’s debut in November 2015. This first video is a trailer for the documentary series, dubbed Rebirth of an Icon.

We have been waiting for Focus RS for some time now and it felt like an eternity before Ford revealed the official output figures for the 2016 Focus RS and once it did, anticipation seemed to build for the price tag. We know now that it will make 345 horsepower from its 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder and 325 lb-ft between 2000 and 4500 rpm. An overboost function allows for a maximum of 347 lb-ft for up to 15 seconds when the driver’s right foot is buried into the carpet. Until VW’s 420-hp Golf R400 comes along it will be the most powerful hot hatch available.

With Ford’s online configurator that was leaked while still under construction, the starting price for the Focus RS will be $35,730. A full list of available options was not listed, but among those displayed, a sunroof, navigation, 19-inch forged alloy wheels, and Michelin Cup tires ($1,990) were open check boxes that brought the price up to $42,275 fully-loaded.

The base price puts in the ballpark of the 305 horsepower 2015 Subaru WRX STI , which starts at $35,290, and the 292 HP Volkswagen Golf R, which is a little more at $37,415. The Focus RS uses asimilar sophisticated, torque-vectoring all-wheel drive system like its German and Japanese competition.

Ford’s hottest hatch will come standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. Compared to the 2.3-liter Ecoboost turbocharged four-cylinder in the Mustang, the Focus RS gains a larger turbo compressor, a larger intercooler, a freer-flowing intake, and a bigger-diameter performance exhaust system with an active valve in the tailpipe. The header features a different aluminum alloy that’s better-suited to higher temperatures, the cylinders have stronger cast-iron liners, and the radiator is larger.

 

Ford has claimed that the RS will sprint from 0-60 in 4.7 seconds which is virtually identical to the Gofl R (we managed 0-60 in 4.67 secs). If the RS had a dual clutch transmission I am sure it would be quicker. Of course the Golf won’t have the ‘Drift Mode’.

The choices have become more difficult……….