The enthusiasm and excitement around the new Ford Focus RS recently went into overdrive but for all the right reasons.
The Focus RS Charity Auction saw the sale of the very first 2016 RS performance car for a whopping $560,000 (£400,000) at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction at WestWorld. The new Focus RS is one of the most highly anticipated releases this year and the unique Magnetic Grey finish and hot anticipation surrounding its release helped to ramp up the price.
With no reserve Ford helped to raise over half a million dollars for JDRF which is the world’s leading type 1 diabetes research organization and is committed to shaping “a world without type 1 diabetes.”
“Supporting JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) is hugely important to myself, my family and Ford Motor Company,” said Henry Ford III the global marketing manager of Ford Performance. “Since this represents the first time the legendary Focus RS is available in the United States, we expected the auction of this long-awaited car to command the attention of enthusiasts. We are happy for the winning bidder, who now owns a truly unique performance car, and thrilled that significant funds will go to JDRF.”
The Ford Focus RS
The new Ford Focus RS hits the car showrooms in North America this spring and it is already available to buy in Europe with the first orders due to be ready later this year. Jam packed with new technology such as the torque-vectoring all-wheel drive and a more refined design the lucky winner of lot number 3009 at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction now had the only new Focus RS in North America and with an entirely unique colour to boot. They will also get unprecedented one-on-one track time and driver training by professional drivers with the new RS.
The RS has a 2.3 litre EcoBoost® engine with 345 bhp that is capable of 347lb ft of torque from 2000rpm. It is a fast car that also comes equipped with 19-inch premium painted alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Super Sport tires, exclusive RS grille and front fascia and RS sport exhaust.
It isn’t a motor to be messed with but Ford have allowed the hype around its release to generate much needed revenue to cutting edge type 1 diabetes research.
“JDRF appreciates the continued support from Ford Motor Company, and is honoured to have been a part of the 45th anniversary Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction,” said Derek Rapp who is the current JDRF president and CEO. “As the leader in type 1 diabetes research, JDRF is proud of our long time relationship with Ford. That history and partnership is essential in pursuit of our shared vision of a world without type 1 diabetes.”
Ford and Barrett-Jackson have raised over $8 million (£5.76m) with their auctions for numerous causes and charities both on a local and national scale. The recent Focus RS Charity Auction is just the latest in a long line of charitable causes that Ford has been able to raise much needed funds for and has further added to the hype surrounding the release of their new RS model.
