Ford has officially revealed the all-new Focus RS; the latest vehicle in Ford’s plan to bring more than 12 performance vehicles to global customers by 2020.

The new RS features a 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine which is mated to a six-speed manual transmission and is projected to deliver well in excess of 315bhp.

It is the first Focus RS to feature all-wheel-drive and will be the first ever RS model to be sold around the world.

Director of global Ford performance Dave Pericak said: “The AWD system is a breakthrough technology, capable of delivering supreme cornering and handling at the limit."

President, Ford of Europe, Middle East and Africa Jim Farley said: “We are acutely aware of the benchmarks we have set ourselves with RS performance models through the years and rest assured that this new car raises the game to a new level.”

This third-generation model includes a choice of multi-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels, plus four exterior colour options including Nitrous Blue, Stealth Grey, Absolute Black and Frozen White.

Bi-Xenon HID headlamps are also featured as standard, offer adaptive front lighting, which adjusts the intensity and angle of the headlamp beams according to vehicle speed, steering angle and distance from objects.

The interior includes heavily-bolstered partial-leather Recaro sports seats, Sync connectivity; which provides access to audio, navigation, climate control and mobile phones via voice control and via a high-definition, eight-inch colour touchscreen, plus, turbocharger-boost pressure, oil temperature and oil pressure gauges.

Group vice president of global product development, Ford Motor Company, Raj Nair said: “The all-new Focus RS is a serious machine with high-performance technology and innovative engineering that sets a new benchmark for driving exhilaration on the road and track.

“The RS line has a proud history of technical breakthroughs that have migrated to mainstream Fords to benefit all of our customers and the new Focus RS is no exception. It’s a great example of our passion for innovation through performance and creating vehicles that make people’s hearts pound.”

Gymkhana and World Rallycross star Ken Block was also a consultant in the models’ development.