2011 Ford Focus RS500 makes global debut

You won't see this Ford video on American Idol. The limited edition Ford Focus RS500 boasts a muscular 345 horsepower Duratec RS 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine with 339 pound-feet of torque.

The unique matte-black "foil" paint finish and matching 19-inch alloy wheels, make the car as flashy as it is fast.

According to a Ford news release, the RS500 is making its global debut at the 2010 Leipzig Motor Show in Germany today. There will only be 500 individually numbered vehicles made for 20 European markets. The RS500 marks the end of production for the current-generation Focus RS, with the last vehicles scheduled to leave Ford's Saarlouis Assembly Plant in Germany during September 2010, according to the company.

Each RS500 will have a hand-engraved, metal plaque on the center console with an identification number from 001 to 500.

Performancewise, Ford changes to the Focus include a significantly larger air-to-air intercooler to deliver a cooler, denser charge; a larger air filter box for increased airflow; larger diameter exhaust downpipe; and an uprated fuel pump, along with an updated software calibration to optimize the performance of the revised engine, according to the company.

"The engine's improved breathing has allowed us to increase power without having to raise turbo boost pressure significantly," said Gunnar Herrmann, Ford's Global C-Car Vehicle Line Director. "This has made it possible to enhance peak performance while maintaining the excellent driveability, fuel consumption and emissions of the standard Focus RS."