The Focus we’ve all been waiting for since the launch of the second generation model in 2005 made its first public appearance at this week’s British Motor Show in London. Equipped with a 300Hp 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder engine, the Focus RS will be able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than 6.0 sec. Even though Ford maintained the front wheel drive setup of the less powerful Focus ST, the company says that the RS is able to target a class-leading balance of traction, handling and performance. Read all the details on the Focus RS here of follow the jump to see live images of Ford’s lime-green monster at the London show

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It is by far the most important debut at this month’s London Motor Show and perhaps the most anticipated attainable performance car of the year; Ford’s scorching hot 300Hp Focus RS. Following an earlier leak today, we managed to get our hands on the high resolution image gallery along with the official press release.

You may have noticed that we haven’t mentioned the word concept this time; that’s because neither does Ford as the London Show’s Focus RS is actually the production version that will go on sale in Europe in early 2009. Although the new RS is based on the recently revised Focus ST, Jost Capito, Ford Europe’s Director for Performance Vehicles, and his team, performed many mods to the car, starting with the 2.5-litre 5-cylinder turbocharged engine. Continued

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At 23, Shi Lingxi bought his first car last week.

He considered a Ford Focus and other models during months of shopping. But on Wednesday, Shi negotiated a 35,000-yuan discount that knocked about $5,000 off the price of a Nissan Blubird. He put the $20,000 sedan on a credit card his parents will help pay.

He doesn’t plan to drive it to work much — it’s too hard to find a parking spot — but he looks forward to the freedom his car represents: the ability to get out of the Chinese capital for weekend outings.

“I bought the car to expand the radius of my living,” said Shi, a human resources professional in Beijing.

There are millions like him in China. Personal car ownership is driving the million-vehicle-per-year growth in China’s auto industry and, for now, seven of eight are bought by first-time car buyers.

Economic growth and the corresponding boom in the auto industry in this nation of 1.3 billion people — and in the private passenger car market in particular — has attracted more than 100 global and domestic vehicle manufacturers to compete on the Chinese stage.

Nearly all of them — including General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC — plan to display their offerings, unveil new concepts and vie for consumers at Auto China 2008, the Chinese auto show that starts today.

“This is now the largest auto show in the world, by number of automakers,” Nick Reilly, President of GM Asia Pacific, told the Free Press on Saturday. “Where just two years ago Beijing was a relatively small, cramped show, now, you’re getting first-time showings. Unless it’s a major international show, you just don’t waste those. That’s really a sign it’s become a very important show.” Continued

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