Driven: First modified Ford Focus RS

With 300bhp, the new Ford Focus RS has re-written the rule books on what a front-wheel drive car can do.
But for renowned Ford tuners Graham Goode Racing, 300bhp isn’t enough – it’s launching a power upgrade for the brilliant mega hatch. Would it be a success or would we be making a trip to torque steer central? Senior web journalist Adrian Hearn was the first journalist to test the model.
Well it looks like a standard Ford Focus RS doesn’t it? The flared wheel arches, 19-inch alloy wheels, bonnet louvres and green paint job shows the fast Ford in all its unmistakable glory.




That’s because it is a normal 300bhp Ford Focus RS, capable of 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 163mph. A car which has been universally accepted as one of the great modern cars; a Ford which can keep up with many esteemed sports cars while still having room in the boot for the weekly shop.
But 60 seconds later and this Ford Focus RS now boasts 340bhp and 397lb/ft of pulling power, courtesy of an engine tuning package from Graham Goode Racing.

To put the car’s torque into perspective, it has the same as a Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4.
Established by former motorsport star Graham Goode in 1976, GGR has been at the forefront of Ford tuning for more than 20 years, releasing a whole host of packages for the likes of the Sierra and Escort Cosworth and Fiesta and Focus ST.

But now it’s turned its hand to the Focus RS and upgraded the car’s ECU using a Superchips platform. You can take your RS along to Leicester-based GGR who will spend the day re-programming the car, increasing horsepower by 13 per cent and torque by 23 per cent.

Alongside the power increase, the great thing about the engineering is that it’s reversible and can be switched back to 300bhp in less than a minute.
I test-drove the Focus RS in normal 300bhp model and found, like most, it offers breathtaking performance for a front-wheel drive car. Despite a wet road surface, you can floor the Focus and it still feels remarkably planted thanks to the limited slip differential and Revoknuckle system. It’s only when it’s wet and under fierce acceleration that you’ll spin the front wheels.
Then, I plugged the Superchips Bluefin hand-held unit into the Ford’s diagnostic system located to the right of the car’s steering wheel, followed a couple of basic instructions and within a minute the car was developing 340bhp and 397lb/ft of pulling power.
Now in GGR RS340 mode, I took the Focus along the same route and it provided an interesting difference. Floor it in first and second and there isn’t a whole lot of change, it’s still blisteringly quick by hot hatch standards. Hit 3,000rpm in third gear and it comes alive. It feels more urgent, more aggressive and, dare we say, more fun.
Official performance figures are yet to be released but the GGR RS340 feels noticeably quicker for mid-range acceleration. Find the right road and you won’t want to change out of third or fourth – it’s awesome.

The massive increase in torque means overtaking is even easier and it also allows you to drive lazily, with the car able to drive like a diesel, and with fewer gear changes thanks to its low-down pulling power.
The conversion costs £435 including VAT. And for the power upgrade this is fantastic value for money when you look at the options list for a standard Focus RS which includes metallic paint (£425) and partial leather trim (£500).
As with most after market modifications, the manufacturer’s mechanical warranty is invalidated although you get a 1 year / 30,000 mile warranty from Superchips. For more information on this view Superchips website or speak to GGR directly.

What’s amazing is that for a year or so leading up to the Focus RS’s press launch, motoring journos questioned whether or not 300bhp was too much for a front-wheel drive car. Ford spectacularly proved the doubters wrong. Now GGR has proved what a fantastically capable chassis the RS has by giving it an extra 40bhp and 75lb/ft of pulling power.
And there’s more to come. GGR is currently working on further upgrade for the RS which will include a new air filter, high-flow downpipe and bigger intercooler along with 362mm AP six calliper brakes. There are no official figures on the new car’s power but it’s likely to be in the region of 360bhp. Full details will be announced before the end of the year.
For more information, view the Graham Goode website.