Even before it finally arrived in 2016, the Mk3 Focus RS was creating headlines. Developed with input from Ken Block, and featuring gadgets such as the famous Drift mode, Ford knew how to create media hype around the launch of its latest – and still the most recent – Rallye Sport model.
The result was the most powerful, fastest, and arguably the most exciting massproduced performance model of an entire generation. Contemporary reports hailing it as the spiritual successor to the much-missed Escort RS Cosworth were not wrong.
Tuners and enthusiastic owners couldn’t wait to get their hands on the latest hot Ford, and it wasn’t long before the aftermarket was awash with various upgrades to improve performance and styling. With such a new model – not to mention the warranty issues surrounding the fabled head gasket saga – the first round of tuning mods focused mainly on bolt-on upgrades: air filters, exhausts, intercooler, and remaps offered owners 400bhp with ease. But with several bottom end failures stealing the internet headlines, tuners and owners turned their attention to sorting out the EcoBoost’s known fragilities.
With numerous options for forged upgrades now available, we’re on the cusp of a Mk3 RS tuning eruption. Various big-turbo packages, seemingly endless tuning options for the factory and aftermarket engine management systems, a wide range of clever suspension and transmission upgrades, and, of course, a massive selection
