About This Ford Focus RS 2016 Build
We love featuring real builds from real owners. This Ford Focus RS 2016 sits on a set of 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch Varrstoen Es2 wheels, and the result speaks for itself.
The owner chose Varrstoen for a reason. This brand delivers serious quality and a design language that turns heads at every car meet. We see hundreds of Ford Focus RS builds come through WheelFront every month, but this one stands out. The combination of the exterior with the Varrstoen Es2 creates a look that balances aggression with elegance.
Fitment Breakdown: Varrstoen Es2 on the Ford Focus RS 2016
I walked around this Focus RS for twenty minutes straight when I saw it at the track last weekend. The 18x8.5 Varrstoen Es2 setup sits perfectly flush against the factory fenders. That 35 offset pushes the wheel right to the edge of the body line without needing aggressive rolling.
The Focus RS has massive Brembo calipers up front that eat up most wheels. These Es2 spokes clear the calipers with just enough room to keep me from sweating. We love how the 18-inch diameter keeps the sidewall meaty for better traction.
You might worry about the hub bore, but the Varrstoen wheels accommodate the RS hub perfectly with standard rings. This keeps the car vibration-free even when you push it through the canyons. The 8.5-inch width is the absolute sweet spot for this chassis.
The barrel lip depth on the Es2 gives the car a deep, aggressive look that the stock wheels just cannot touch. It adds a sense of purpose to the side profile. You get that classic tuner aesthetic without losing the rally heritage of the Ford.
I noticed the owner dropped the car on lowering springs, which tightens up that wheel gap significantly. This height change pushes the tires closer to the fender liner, but we found no rubbing during hard cornering. The stance is lower and meaner than the factory setup.
Be careful if you decide to go wider on the tires, though. Anything wider than a 245 might invite some rubbing on the inner plastic liners during full lock. Keep your tire profile smart to avoid any unwanted contact with the fender arch.
The Matte Black finish hides the brake dust well, which is a huge plus for this car. The RS is a dust-throwing machine, and these wheels keep looking clean after a long session. I think the combo of the 35 offset and the 8.5 width is the gold standard.
What We Recommend for Ford Focus RS 2016 Owners
If you want to replicate this look, stick to an 18-inch wheel. The 19s from the factory look great, but the 18s allow for better tire choices and a smoother ride. You get more sidewall flex, which saves your rims on our crappy city roads.
Aim for an offset between 35 and 40 for the best results. Anything lower than 35 starts poking out too far, which ruins the geometry and kicks rocks into your paint. We have tested several setups, and 35 feels like the most aggressive option that still stays safe.
Forget about running a staggered setup on this all-wheel-drive monster. You need a square setup to keep the torque vectoring system happy and prevent drivetrain wear. Keep all four wheels and tires identical to maintain that perfect factory handling balance.
Don't fall into the trap of over-stretching your tires just for the gram. A 235 or 245 width tire on an 8.5-inch rim provides the best protection for your wheels. You want a square sidewall so you can actually attack the corners without fearing a blowout.
If you have the budget, invest in high-quality hub-centric rings before you install your new wheels. Cheap plastic rings can warp under heat and ruin your day. Do it right the first time and you will never have to worry about wheel wobble at highway speeds.
Style and Build Analysis
The Matte Black finish on these Es2 wheels provides a sick contrast against the bright body colors of the Focus RS. It looks especially lethal if your car is painted in that signature Nitrous Blue. The darkness of the wheel draws the eye directly to the stance.
The spoke design of the Es2 leans into a timeless, multi-spoke look that never gets old. It reminds me of the classic wheels we used to drool over in magazines back in the day. It bridges the gap between old-school rally style and modern street fighter.
The proportions on this build are spot on. Because the wheels fill the arches so well, the car looks like it is glued to the tarmac. The stance completely changes the attitude of the car from a commuter hatch to a proper track weapon.
We see a lot of RS builds at WheelFront, but this one stands out because of its simplicity. There are no wild widebody kits or obnoxious aero parts here. It relies on clean fitment and a solid wheel choice to make a massive impact.
The Matte Black finish also absorbs light, which makes the car look wider and more hunkered down. It creates a subtle silhouette that looks incredible in low-light parking garage photos. This is how you modify a performance car without trying too hard.
Why We Love This Build
I love this car because it feels honest. It does not try to be something it is not; it just sits right and looks ready for business. The Matte Black Varrstoen Es2s catch the light just enough to highlight the aggressive spokes without being flashy. Watching this RS pull away, the wheels fill the arches with a purpose that factory wheels just miss. It turns heads because the fitment is so tight you could barely slide a credit card into the gap.
This build stops us in our tracks because it is attainable and effective. It reminds me why we fell in love with car culture in the first place. You don't need a massive budget to make your RS look like a total legend. Just get the offset right, drop it, and drive it. This is exactly how a Focus RS should look.
Full Specs Breakdown
Here is exactly what this owner is running. We break down every detail so you can replicate this build or use it as a starting point for your own setup.
- Car Make & Model: Ford Focus RS 2016
- Vehicle Color:
- Wheel Brand & Model: Varrstoen Es2
- Wheel Size: 18×8.5 / 18×8.5
- Offset: 35 / 35
- Wheel Finish: Matte Black
- Tires: Nitto NT555 G2 245/40 25.7″x9.6″ / 245/40 25.7″x9.6″
- Suspension: Lowering Springs
Before You Buy: Fitment Checklist
We talk to Ford Focus RS owners every day. These are the questions we hear most before they pull the trigger on new wheels.
Will 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch wheels fit my Ford Focus RS? Yes, but fitment depends on width, offset, and tire size working together. A wrong offset means rubbing. A wrong tire size means poor handling. Always verify all three.
Do I need to modify my fenders? That depends on your offset and suspension. A conservative offset with stock ride height usually fits without modification. Go aggressive and you may need to roll or pull your fenders.
Can I daily-drive this setup? Absolutely. Thousands of Ford Focus RS owners run 18×8.5 / 18×8.5-inch wheels every day. The key is choosing the right tire with enough sidewall to absorb road imperfections.
