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We’ve said before that we wish we could get the Ford Focus RS here in the States. With its 2.5-liter, 300-horsepower engine, hot hatchback body style, and great fuel economy (about 25 miles per gallon), we're green with envy.

Beginning on September 30, a team of two drivers will enter a Focus RS in the UK’s seventh annual MPG Marathon, where they hope to achieve a 15 percent increase in fuel economy over the 360-mile drive. Hopefully this will send a message to the U.S., as we strive for better gas mileage from American autos, particularly the performers we’re so fond of.

Read the press release below, or have a look at the Ford Focus RS in the gallery above.

FOCUS RS TAKES ON NEW PERFORMANCE CHALLENGE
BRENTWOOD, Essex, 23 September 2009 – Ford’s fastest-ever European production car will chase a fuel efficiency record when it enters the UK's seventh annual MPG Marathon this month.
The 2.5-litre 305PS Ford Focus RS will target over 35mpg during the 360-mile route.
Capable of 163mph and 0-60mph in under six seconds, the Ford Focus RS aims to demonstrate its remarkable efficiency with class honours in the leading frugal motoring marathon.
Motoring writer Jeremy Walton and co-driver Alyson Marlow are preparing to beat the official 30.1mpg combined fuel economy of the Ford Focus RS by a margin of over 15 per cent.
"I'm setting out to prove you can use an efficient high-performance car in daily driving without enormous fuel bills," said Jeremy, who has entered the Ford-supplied RS in the Warwickshire-based marathon's class for cars with CO2 emissions of 160+g/km.
Before customer deliveries even started earlier this year, more than half of the UK's Ford Focus RS allocation had been sold. The £26,395 car continued the RS badge's acclaimed 40-year association with exciting and affordable performance cars.
David Calder, Ford's medium car product manager, said: "We launched the latest Ford Focus RS not only as the ultimate front-wheel drive performance car but also as a car you can live with every day, and wish Jeremy and Alyson a smooth and safe journey as they prove this out."
The MPG Marathon, organised by FleetWorld magazine, demonstrates real world fuel economy figures delivered by a wide range of vehicles, not just those designed for low fuel consumption. More about the event on September 30/October 1 at mpgmarathon.com
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Note: Fuel economy figures quoted are in UK mpg, based on the European Fuel Economy Directive EU 80/1268/EEC and will differ from fuel economy drive cycle results in other regions of the world.