The Ford Focus RS Limited Edition Is An Upgraded Last Hurrah

The Ford Focus RS is not long for this world. It came late in the life of the current generation Ford Focus, and as such, it’ll soon be discontinued.

To mark the car’s impending departure, Ford has whipped up a special ‘going away present’ for the final North American RS buyers: the Limited Edition. It’s not - I’m afraid - the RS500 we were all hoping for, but it’s worth a look, as Ford says it created the car using “enthusiast conversations on blogs, forums and Facebook groups” as inspiration.

There’s no more power, but Ford has added a new mechanical Quaife limited-slip differential to boost grip at the front axle. Ford mentions that the new diff “seamlessly integrates with standard Focus RS driving technologies,” so before you ask, Drift Mode remains unchanged.

It’s available in two colours: the existing Nitrous Blue shade, as well as an all new Race Red option. The roof, mirror caps and spoiler are all now finished in gloss black, and the whole shebang is finished off with standard-fit, 19-inch forged wheels.

Tempted? You’ll have to act fast - just 1000 will be sold in the USA, with a further 500 in Canada. It won’t be available elsewhere (Update: elements of the Limited Edition may be making their way to the UK via an option pack).

It’s available to order now for the 2017 model year, “marking the last opportunity to order the current generation Focus RS in North America,” says Ford.

Lie down on the floor, try not to cry…