UPDATE: Ford has provided more information about the RS. It's already at the 'Ring, contrary to the info I got yesterday. It will have 295lb-ft of torque. 5,000 will be built per year at a cost of around £24,500. It will probably be just a 3-door and won't have a trick twin-clutch 'box. It'll ride on 19"s and won't have lots of motorsport-derived components to keep the cost down. Weight will also be the enemy so expect around 5.7 secs 0-60mph and a top speed of over 155mph.

I've been on a mammoth information gathering mission spanning the entire internet and can now share what I know about the Focus RS pics that emerged today:

A1) It's definitely a picture of the 2009 Ford Focus RS



B2) The pictures came from Ford, and were drawn up to illustrate what the car might look like should it go into production (or to persuade board members that it'd be an awesome idea). However, the pictures may be up to one year old.

C3) The car IS going to be front-wheel drive, it IS going to have the 2.5-litre turbo engine and it WILL boast in excess of 280bhp.



D4) The car is going to have a tricky electronically controlled LSD to keep torque steer at bay

E5) The car will go on display in concept form at the British motor show where more details will be revealed and the show car will have an interior.



F6) The car will then go to work testing at the Nürburgring. Hard.

G7) The finished deal will go on sale in the first quarter of 2009 and will be priced at around £25,000.

I can’t wait.