The Detroit based automaker has however released a last hurrah to celebrate the end of right-hand drive production, the limited run RS Heritage Edition.

In addition to the capping of model production, the Heritage Edition also pays homage to the first Escort RS launched 50 years ago, and as such will be limited to 50 units with unique touches consisting of a special Tief Orange hue, grey brake calipers, black mirrors and boot spoilers, forged black alloy wheels, sunroof, a mechanical Quaife limited slip differential and on the inside, partial leather Recaro seats, rear parking sensors, heated steering wheel and privacy glass.

Up front, the Heritage Edition has been further tweaked by British Ford tuner Mountune in the form of a new high-flow induction kit and recalibrated turbo, lifting power of the 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine from 257 kW to 276 kW, and torque from 470 Nm to 510 Nm. No performance figures were revealed.

Priced at £39 895 (R653 854), the RS Heritage Edition will unfortunately be sold in the United Kingdom only, although reports have stated that the next Focus will spawn a RS model at some stage.