#rs

A while back we saw the official trademark filing images for the Audi RS5 Cabriolet, confirming that the convertible variant was indeed making its way to production.

Renault deserves all the credit in the world with its stunning 8:07.97 lap time on the Nurburgring, giving it the FWD record and besting some seriously impressive machines such as Audi’s RS4 and BMW’s E46 M3. So it’s without a doubt that we have to share a video of the record setting run from the cockpit.

Watching driver Laurent Hurgon meticulously pilot the sports car through Nurburgring’s rigorous track while pushing the limits on the Megane RS 265 Trophy’s tires is really a treat. It’s a shame North America will never be able to get behind the wheels of one of these machines anytime soon, much like Ford’s Focus RS.

Check out the video after the jump:

German tuner MR Car Design has transformed Ford‘s Focus RS into a viable contender to Audi‘s RS3 and BMW‘s 1-Series M. Taking one of Europe’s most popular hot hatches, MR Car Design pushes out 355-hp out of the turbocharged 5-cylinder engine, a 54-hp increase from the factory 301-hp. The enhanced performance comes courtesy of an ECU reflash, MR Car Design downpipe and exhaust, high-flow catalytic converter and a K&N air filter.

With a history of building the world’s fastest sedans, G-Power can now claim the title of the world’s fastest wagon. To do so, the German tuner has transplanted its 750-hp twin-supercharged V10 powerplant from the BMW M5 Hurricane RS into an M5 Touring (wagon).

Senner Tuning has released their vision of what Audi‘s TT RS Roadster should be, calling it the Power TT. The name clearly comes from the added power the TT RS puts out: an impressive 430-hp (from the factory 360-hp) thanks to a reprogrammed ECU, high flow cat, valve-controlled exhaust system and an upgraded intercooler and filter setup.

Just last week we spied a DTM-inspired Audi TT RS Race Car, and now it’s hit the track and looking menacing as ever. Now that we see the TT RS Race Version in its natural environment, we think it’s safe to toss around the idea that Audi Motorsport might be bringing a TT back to DTM.

Mmmm, a DTM-inspired Audi TT RS! What more could we ask for?

The Ford Focus RS craze over in Europe is picking up a lot of steam, and British tuner BBR is offering four different upgrade kits for any Focus RS enthusiast. The kits bump up horsepower to anywhere from 342-hp to 404-hp depending on how much you’re willing to spend.

The stage one kit is simply an ECU remap and air intake hose offered at $945, which is a great price considering the bump in horsepower to 342-hp and 369 ft-lbs of torque from the factory 300-hp and 325 ft-lbs of torque.

Stage two isn’t as drastic of an increase, but certainly optimizes air flow and reliability out of the turbocharged motor. An upgraded intercooler along with hoses and air filter brings the horsepower figure to 355-hp and torque to 378 ft-lbs. It comes at a price tag of $2,285 but includes installation.

Stage three adds a 3-inch exhaust system from BBR and larger fuel injectors to support the higher boost from the ECU remap. This is when things get fun with the Focus RS reaching 382-hp and 388 ft-lbs of torque. Cost on the parts is roughly $3,960 with install running around $550.

And for those that just have to have it all, the fourth package includes new turbochargers to bring horsepower to 404-hp and 408 ft-lbs of torque. We’ll be comfortable to say that sets the Focus RS up for even more potential if the owner wanted to go even further with the upgraded turbos. That kit will set you back close to $6,185 while install is a respectable $945.

If you want to back up the performance with some handling, BBR also offers BBR/Koni adjustable shocks mated to performance springs.

GALLERY: BBR Ford Focus RS

Official press release available after the break.

The Land Down Under just got some exciting news from Ford. Even though production is coming to an end, Australia will be gifted with 315 Ford Focus RS models in a limited edition production and available in three different colors.