Few cars manage to live up the promises of their respective manufacturer, but with the latest-generation Ford Focus RS, the car has proven not only a fitting replacement to the previous car but been hailed as the best hot hatch on the market.
Journalists cite its advanced torque vectoring all-wheel drive system and fizzing 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine as real highlights, offering up driving thrills unmatched by all its rivals. When it comes down to it however, is the new Focus RS actually faster than the competition?
To find out, Evo Magazine pitted an all-black RS against arguably its closest rival, the Volkswagen Golf R, to see which is quicker in a straight line.
On paper, the Focus looks the obvious choice. It has some 50 hp and 67 lb-ft of torque more than the Golf R while also being fitted with all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission but as we know, numbers often only tell half the tail.
Place your bets, this is a close one.