In 1992, Ford released the Escort RS Cosworth, a turbocharged, four-wheel drive, big-winged hot hatch to scare the pants off pretty much everything on the road.

Fast-forward 23 years, and Ford has just released the Focus RS, a turbocharged, four-wheel drive, big-winged hot hatch to scare the pants off pretty much everything on the road.

Yes, the third-generation Focus RS is here, and yes, Ford's hottest of hot hatches is four-wheel drive. And powerful.

How powerful? Though we don't have precise figures yet, Ford puts projected output at 'over 316bhp' courtesy of a 2.3-litre turbo four-cylinder, with as much as 330bhp possible. The similarly four-wheel drive VW Golf R makes 296bhp, the new Honda Civic Type R 'over 276bhp'. In fact, in hot hatch world, only the 355bhp Merc A45 and 362bhp Audi RS3 boast greater punching power.

That four-cylinder turbo is, in essence, the same Ecoboost unit found in the new Mustang, though gifted a new twin-scroll turbo and larger intercooler. There head is cast of tougher alloy, while there's an uprated exhaust and radiator system.

Ford tells us the engine will rev to a healthy 6,800rpm, and promises 'the distinctive burbles, pops and crackles that are an RS signature'. It'll have to go some way to match the deliriously characterful soundtrack of its five-cylinder forebear.

That power feeds through a six-speed manual gearbox - no highfalutin flappy-paddle affair here - to a bespoke all-wheel drive system, the precise set-up of which Ford is being a trifle coy about for now.

We know it's capable of continuously varying the torque balance both front-to-back, and across the rear axle. Rather than using a traditional limited slip differential or e-diff, the Focus apparently employs a different mechanical solution: each rear wheel is fed power through its own electronically actuated clutch - one either side of what Ford calls the 'Rear Drive Unit' - effectively allowing the RS to vector torque to whichever corner can best use it.

The previous Focus RS, you'll remember, pumped 300bhp through its front wheels alone, a set-up that - despite the presence of Ford's much-vaulted 'RevoKnuckle' front suspension - offered more than its fair share of torque-steer. The new RS should deliver rather less wheel-twirling, and even more speed: though Ford's yet to release performance figures, expect a 0-62mph time under five seconds.

Ford says the Focus RS delivers unprecedented levels of grip, promising lateral cornering forces in excess of 1g. Presumably that's on the optional semi-slick Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres (Pilot Sport 2s are standard). Ford also reckons the Focus RS will, in the right hands, serve up 'controlled oversteer drifts'. This is a very good combination of words.

As is the combination 'massive rear wing', which, as you'll have spotted, the Focus RS also provides. As you'd expect, it's also sporting a hefty diffuser/tailpipe arrangement, smart 19-inch alloys, and a mouth large enough to ingest medium-sized cats.

On the inside, you'll find Ford's traditional hot-hatch smorgasbord: Recaro buckets, flat-bottom steering wheel, maybe even a branded baseball cap or two if you're lucky.

What else do you need to know about the thirtieth car to wear the Blue Oval's RS badge? Well, like the Focus ST, the RS will only be available in five-door flavour, and in just four colours: blue, grey, black and white. It'll be built at Ford's Saarlouis facility in Germany, but will be sold worldwide in markets including China, Australia and North America.

No word on prices yet, but we'd be surprised if the Focus RS comes in under thirty grand in the UK. Which is quite a lot for a Ford hatchback, but possibly rather good value for what might just prove to be the ultimate B-road supercar slayer...