Ford reveals Focus RS hatchback – and it's coming to U.S.

Ford unveiled the Focus RS, the highest performance version of its best-selling car Tuesday and announced U.S. sales will begin in 2016.

"This can create a halo for the whole Focus model line," Edmunds.com senior analyst Bill Visnic said. "The RS' specs put it in the same league as serious players" like the Subaru WRX, Volkswagen Golf R and Mitsubishi Evo, three of the top performance compacts.

The RS hatchback will feature a 315-horsepower-plus 2.3L Ecoboost four-cylinder engine. It will be the first RS model sold in the U.S. when it arrives in 2016.

"Performance vehicles are a growing part of the industry," Ford Americas president Joe Hinrichs said. "The RS is an extension of that."

Other features will include Brembo brakes, a six-speed manual transmission and Recaro seats. The all-wheel drive system that Ford developed can send up to 70% of the engine's torque to the rear axle, and all of that power to either of the rear wheels.

Performance cars like the RS and the recently revealed Ford GT super car serve as catalysts for an innovation spreading throughout Ford's lineup, said Raj Nair, chief of vehicle development.

Ford will build the Focus RS in its plant in Saarlouis, Germany. It will be sold in Europe, Asia and North America.

"The RS captures the promise of our brand," Ford of Europe boss Jim Farley said: "Great cars that are affordable."

The new car is the first RS developed for sale around the world. Ford's RS performance line goes back nearly 50 years in Europe. The automaker is taking it global as part of its new emphasis on performance vehicles.

"This is one of the first volleys the Ford's new global performance group has created," Visnic said. "It can help create an image that Ford puts affordable performance into every model." The upcoming F-150 Raptor sport truck and GT super car were also developed by Ford Performance,

Ford revealed the new RS at its factory in Cologne, Germany.

Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com or 313-222-6731. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan.