Ford Focus RS (Mk.3) with Airride and Stage 2 remapping!

Markus Castedo 22 January 2024 -> Cars from AZ, -> Tuner from AZ, Ford, Premium vehicles, Selfmade conversions / user pictures

Reading time 3 Min.

There have been rumors for a long time that the Ford car brand wants to concentrate primarily on SUV models and is therefore phasing out the passenger car series on this side of the Mustang in Europe. While sedans such as the Taurus or Mondeo are still manufactured for the Chinese market, the brand with the blue oval will in future be limited to SUV models and crossover series in Europe. This means that the future of the extremely popular Ford Focus is also at great risk, as it could also be replaced in the compact segment by a model with a raised seating position.

Ford Focus RS with Airride

Ford Focus RS (Mk.3) with Airride and Stage 2 remapping!

Before that happens, however, we would like to introduce you to a very special third-generation Ford Focus RS, which was modified by British tuner Andrew Butler according to his wishes. The first thing you notice about this Ford is of course the sunflower yellow paint, which turns the already not particularly staid compact sports car into an absolute eye-catcher. Together with the Maxton body kit, which was already attached to the vehicle when Andrew Butler purchased it in 2021, this skilfully highlights the sportiness of the car.

rotiformBeer with Central locking

There are also Rotiform aluminum rims Central locking and gray finish, which in our opinion exude a certain retro charm. The modifications to the exterior are rounded off by tinted taillights and side wind deflectors, which are likely to lead to controversial discussions because they are definitely very unique in design and not to everyone's taste. Last but not least, there is also an air suspension from Airlift Performance in the bright yellow Cologne, which significantly increases the show factor, but the driving dynamics probably change significantly for the negative.

2,3 liter EcoBoost R4 turbo petrol engine

The RS version of the third Focus generation uses the same 2,3-liter engine that is also used in the basic version of the Ford Mustang. While the compact boy racer has 355 hp as standard, the classic Mustang only has 303 hp. But Andrew Butler is of course far from satisfied with these numbers, and his Focus RS received a Stage 2 remapping from Sabre, a Stage 2 intercooler from Airtec and a Milltek sports exhaust system with variable flap control. Unfortunately, we don't know what power this vehicle will now generate after the upgrades, but it should be sufficient. We also have no information about the mileage. Power is transmitted to the front wheels via a manual six-speed gearbox.

Our conclusion:

Andrew Butler's Ford Focus RS is definitely no wallflower! Some of the tuning measures on this car may not be to everyone's taste, but overall the conversion was very successful in our opinion. We give it a thumbs up.