Video : 2009 Ford Focus RS laps the Nurburgring in 8:26

Oh, we're back to the Nurburgring videos. Last time we checked out the 'Ring, the 2010 Nissan GT-R lapped the 13-mile track in an amazing 7:26.7. Now, the long-awaited 305 hp Ford Focus RS comes to the track, and sees what's what.

Driven by Horst von Saurma-Jeltsch, Chief editor of the German magazine Sport-Auto and well known Nurburgring racer, the Focus RS covered the Nurburgring in a lap-time of 8:26. While the RS' lap-time is an astonishing half-a-minute faster than the 225 hp Focus ST (8:51 by Sport-Auto in 2005), it's off by a mere 10 seconds from the rival and the fastest front-wheel-drive hatchback, the 2007 Renault Megane R26.R (8:16 by Vincent Bayle in 2008).

So below, we got two videos. The full 10-minute video, and an 'alternative-cut' version by Ford & Sport-Auto. We also recommend the Top Gear review between the Focus RS and Megane R26.R, that can be watched here.

Refresher:

- 2009 Ford Focus RS: Powered by a 2.5L 5-cylinder engine with a K16 turbocharger, packing 300 hp, connected to a front-wheel-drive chassis. The RS's power is enhanced and delivered through a front-differential. 0-60 mph comes in 5.9 seconds, on-wards to a top speed of 163 mph.

Source : [YouTube and FastestLaps]