The guys at Sport Auto are on a Nurburgring roll these days, setting lap records left and right in new production cars while the car makers themselves could not be bothered. We saw them earning the AMG GT R a lot of free bragging rights by setting an impressive time for it. Now they have taken a Mk III Ford Focus RS round.

And while the lap record the hot hatch has set is not particularly quick by super or sports car standards (8 minutes 6 seconds) it is still brilliant for a front-wheel-drive family car with a big rear hatch. So yeah, you’re welcome Ford. You can send Sport Auto some flower later.

2017 Ford Focus RS Highlights:

Ford Performance All-Wheel-Drive system

Selectable Drive Modes including an industry-first Drift Mode and Launch Control

Torque Vectoring

2.3-litre EcoBoost engine with 350 horsepower

Six-speed manual transmission

Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires

Aero kit including front splitter, rear spoiler and underbody

350 mm ventilated front discs and Brembo four-piston monoblock callipers

Recaro sports seats