The Ford Focus RS RX is a vehicle that apparently exists, or so Ford tells us. It was spotted in the final throws of Ken Block's Gymkhana 8 (approximately 8:39).
The vehicle will be used in the next Gymkhana, Gymkhana 9. Beyond that it is hard to say much about the even more powerful Ford Focus RS. The going theory is that it will be a special vehicle that is custom made just for Ken Block.
Or could it be something available to customers, likely for track-use only? Based on the flimsiest of evidence of all, which is the little contextual evidence we have, it says the car is “Ken Block’s,” which might imply that there are others, examples of the Ford Focus RS RX that are not Ken Block’s. Just as well, while it is a Focus, and not the Fiesta used in Gymkhana 8, it doesn’t look too radically different from the car used in 8, so why would it deserve an announcement a full year in advance? We didn’t see any announcement of the Hoonicorn at the end of Gymkhana 6. It also isn’t festooned with Block’s traditional eXtReMe energy beverage of choice as a livery.
Chances are it will be available to race teams and anyone with a lot of money to afford one and of course for racing purposes. These will in no way be for street use, can't imagine it.
That Focus RS RX looks so sexy! But yea, we won't be seeing it because the RX designation has been used by Ford for their rallycross cars...Doesn't mean I don't want one. Excited for Gymkhana 9 for a peek at it and the undoubtedly awesome performance Ken Block is going to put on.
Would be great if they released a list of mods made to the RS to turn it into a RX. Not saying I would make those changes but it would be interesting to see and maybe selectively choose what is feasible with a limited budget.
That's wishful thinking, I doubt it will happen. RX is just way too potent, but at least we'll see Ken Block put it in action in the next gymkhana. It was teased at the end of the recent one
I think it's just for ken Block, or maybe they will make a super limited quantity and people can pay crazy amounts of money for them. Regardless, the value here is watching Ken Block show us what it is capable of. I wouldn't really be able to handle that amount of power anyway. Maybe with some more practice
Details are scant, of course. Ford Performance says the rally racer will make in excess of 600 horsepower sent to all four wheels, enabling a 0-60 time of under two seconds. The production Focus RS is fast, but it ain't that fast.
I'm starting to think that without the wider body panels that the wing will look weird and just too wide.. you'll have to go all out! Good excuse for going with the whole exterior aero
The Ford Focus RS RX was designed for the rallycross championship and Ford threw a lot of money into it that just doesn't make sense for the general populace. May as well get the GT for that kind of cash. But maybe we could se something from it trickle down into production in the future.
I would guess that the model will be used at special events much like a concept is. I'm happy to see Ken Block pilot this and no one else. At least he knows what he is doing.
Rumor has it they have plans for a model above the RS for street use, so maybe we'll see some design cues from this special model on that higher performing RS?