Lol. This is quite funny. Putting the badge snobbery aside for a second (VW fans are fairly renowned for it), if the Focus RS ends up with the S60R engine and all wheel drive, it will make mincemeat of an R32.
£25k or not, one of the reasons you buy an R32 is for performance, grip and handling. If the ford does this better for the same price, then it is a bargain. Remember that Escort RS Cosworths are still around at way over £10k despite being 12-15 years old. If it wears an RS badge, it will have achieved cult status immediately as well 
especially among 20-year old boys
For me the choice was clear, I was looking at USED GTIs over NEW STs, just because I do not like the design of ST. I think Clarkson hit it on the nail when he reviewed both ST and GTI - he liked them both, but when talking about GTI he mentioned family, and when talking about ST he mentioned clamydia!
GTI is more a grown up car (Tim Nidell called it "old peoples' car").
And don't mention badge snobbery even. I bet on Ford forum they are as snobbery as people here. It's called "preferences", for which we all voted with our money. What snobbery?
Volkswagen = peoples' car.
