AN early prototype of the fastest Focus road car to date, the Focus RS, is undergoing performance and durability testing at the Nürburgring Circuit in Germany, in preparation for its launch in 2009.

The principal architect of the Focus RS project is Ford of Europe's vehicle line director for performance vehicles, Jost Capito, whose Team RS development group were responsible for the first generation Focus RS in 2002, and more recently, the Fiesta ST and the new Focus ST.

Mr Capito said: "The new Focus RS is as much a car for driving enthusiasts as the one before it and classic Ford RS models of the past. We're staying true to the core RS principles of a no-compromise, affordable high-performance road car you can live with.

"The new Focus RS will have the muscles, heart and soul of a genuine RS and will be exciting to drive every day."

The new Focus RS features a specially-developed, turbocharged version of the Duratec 2.5-litre engine, based on Focus ST, but significantly revised to generate more than 280 horsepower.

Various chassis innovations, developed in conjunction with Ford's Advanced Engineering Centre in Aachen are being tuned for the new car by the Cologne-based Ford Team RS. Their overriding objective is to achieve optimized driving dynamics and on road performance through an advanced technology front-wheel drive system, combined with a limited-slip differential.

"In early prototypes based on Focus ST vehicles, the new system is more than meeting our targets for exceptional levels of traction, handling and steering," Mr Capito added. "Given that the enthusiastic team behind the car are all performance vehicle enthusiasts, you can imagine that our standards are high.

"We have no doubt that we can enhance the acclaimed qualities of the already excellent Focus for an even higher performance model than the ST. Now, we are going through the rigorous job of proving out our technical approach in extensive testing and tuning over a variety of roads including the most demanding track in the world, the "Green Hell" that is the Nürburgring Nordschleife!

"With two consecutive Manufacturers' World Rally Championship titles and the success of Fiesta and Focus ST models, we have the knowledge and the experience. The time is right for Ford to deliver a new high performance model for the legions of loyal Ford RS customers around Europe.

Although the Internet and car magazines around the globe have continued to offer their opinions as to how the new car will look and drive, The car will be given its world premiere at the London Motor Show in late July.