The new Ford Focus RS might not win any beauty contests, but I still want one

FORD’S new Focus RS will use a four-wheel-drive system to deliver its power more effectively – exactly the same trick the legendary Escort RS Cosworth did back in the early 1990s.

The third generation of the family-sized hot hatch will use a turbcharged 2.3 litre version of the company’s EcoBoost engine to churn out 320bhp, and should be available towards the end of the year. The shape might not win as many beauty awards as its more conventional-looking predecessor, but it's designed with one thing in mind; to keep the engine, closely related to the one also being used in the new Ford Mustang, as cool as possible during hard driving.

It’s the 30^th Ford to wear the company’s RS badge, following in the footsteps of the Sierra RS Cosworth and the Escort RS2000. Just like these classic fast Fords, the new Focus RS has an instant want-one factor.