Having been subject to intense speculation, debate, and rumor-mongering, the 2016 Ford Focus RS is one of the few vehicles to not just meet, but exceed the expectations of enthusiasts. Wearing an all-wheel drive system for the first time, the new Focus RS is equipped with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine that brings 350 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque to the party. And for the first time, this distinctly European powerhouse will be available for sale in the US, and production has already started at Ford’s factory in Saarlouis, Germany.

Yes, the 2016 Focus RS will be built in the Old World, and it will hit local dealerships first. It won’t arrive in America until this spring. When it does though, it’ll be the most powerful and tech savvy hot hatch on the market.

Despite anticipation for the Focus RS though, sales of its stablemates the Focus ST and Fiesta ST saw mild growth in 2015. Ford now offers 12 performance vehicles in its lineup, including the 524 horsepower Shelby GT350 and the just-revealed Fusion Sport, which utilizes a 325 horsepower version of the 2.7 liter EcoBoost V6 that debuted in the F-150.

Despite having two more cylinders and almost a half-liter more of displacement though, the 2.7 liter V6 still falls 25 horsepower short of the 2.3 liter four-cylinder of the Focus RS. It will carry a Mustang GT-rivaling MSRP of $35,730 right out the door, as well as more horsepower and torque than any of its rivals in the compact class. There’s even been talk of making a Fiesta RS to follow up its big brother, but right now Ford is focusing on the launch of the Focus RS as the global champion of the hot hatchback segment.