Ford’s fastest-ever European production car the 2009 Focus RS will be priced from £24,995 when it goes on sale in the UK in March.

The range topping RS is the first Ford to wear the Rallye Sport badge since the first-generation Focus RS was launched seven years ago.

The new RS is powered by a five-cylinder turbocharged 303bhp 2.5-litre Duratec petrol engine. Front-wheel-driven through a six-speed transmission, the RS accelerates from 0-62mph in under six seconds and will reach over 160mph.

A £750 Luxury Pack will be available which includes dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control air-conditioning; automatic headlights; rain-sensor wipers; auto-dim rear-view mirror; rear parking-distance sensors; tyre deflation-detection; and a Ford key-free system. The £1,500 version of the Luxury Pack adds in a Touchscreen DVD Navigation System, with seven-inch touch-screen.

Other optional extras include partially leather-trimmed seats at £500 and, for £200, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and USB port.

Specifying a metallic version of the performance blue paintwork costs £395, while a Tri-Coat Metallic Ultimate Green finish carries a £695 price tag.