DETROIT - There are enthusiasts of powerfully quick all-wheel-drive cars who will be happy to know that the Ford Focus RS has made it to the U.S.

Ford Motor Co. said as of Tuesday the highly anticipated hatchback is now arriving at U.S. dealerships.

The first U.S. customer to get behind the wheel of his new rally-ready hatchback was Jackson Gilmore, of San Diego, who felt compelled to leave work early.

"Out of the blue my dealership called me and they said 'Hey, your RS is here, so I sent an email to my boss that said, 'Hey, I ordered this car eight months ago, I'm taking a half day today,' and I just kind of walked out of work. I just bounced right then," Gilmore said in a release.

Jason Gilmore, of San Diego, was the first U.S. customer to receive a Focus RS.

Unveiled in Cologne, Germany, where Ford's RS performance label was first born with the Ford 15M RS in 1968, the new Ford Focus RS comes with a specially designed 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 350 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. It has a maximum speed of 165 miles per hour.

In February, Ford announced that the Focus RS will be the first car in North America to offer a winter tire package as a factory option from an original equipment manufacturer.

Available only for order on this continent, the package comes standard in Canada and is otherwise available for order as a $1,995 option in the U.S.

The package includes 225/40R18 Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 tires mounted to 18x7.5-inch wheels. The overall diameter of the tire is smaller in order to fit chains on the wheels, if necessary.

Ford said it tested the tires in Northern Michigan and Sweden.

Drivers behind the wheel of an all-new 2016 Focus RS will be able to dominate the elements with a first of its kind manufacturer certified winter tire and wheel option.

The Focus RS was developed by engineers in the U.S. and Europe, and is being built at Ford's Saarlouis, Germany, manufacturing plant. It comes in Nitrous Blue, Stealth Gray, Shadow Black and Frozen White colors.

The first Focus to wear the RS badge was a 215-hp Focus RS in 2002. The second generation Focus RS has 305 hp.

Other all-wheel-drive, RS-badged performers for Ford have included the mid-engine 1984 RS200, the 1990 Sierra RS Cosworth 4x4, the Escort RS Cosworth and 1994 Escort RS2000 4x4.

The new Focus RS starts at $36,605, including destination and delivery fees.

David Muller is the automotive and business reporter for MLive Media Group in Detroit. Email him at dmuller@mlive.com, follow him on Twitter or find him on Facebook.