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Why the New Ford Focus RS Will Use FWD: Spyshots

A few days ago, we had the confirmation Ford is working on a new incarnation of the Focus RS. The biggest question here is whether the vehicle will stick to its FWD recipe or go AWD. Well, you can grab your napkins, we are almost certain there will be no 4WD.
New Ford Focus RS Spyshots 9 photos
Photo: Carpix
New Ford Focus RS SpyshotsNew Ford Focus RS SpyshotsNew Ford Focus RS SpyshotsNew Ford Focus RS SpyshotsNew Ford Focus RS SpyshotsNew Ford Focus RS SpyshotsNew Ford Focus RS SpyshotsNew Ford Focus RS Spyshots
We have a new series of spyshots on our hands and we did a brief check for the usual signs indicating the rear axle is also nourished with power. While the images don’t provide a crystal clear view on the matter, we’re pretty convinced the front wheels will be left to handle the power alone.

For instance, if you check out the pic from behind (and a bit under) the car, there seems to be no trace of a rear diff. We also looked for other details of this kind, but found none.

This comes to complete an older statement dating from when the previous, second-gen Focus RS was still around. The Blue Oval made a pretty clear point - while the still-hot Focus ST could borrow the RS’ intelligent torque steer-repelling Revo Knuckle front suspension and the RS could switch to AWD camp, such moves would not make financial sense for the automaker.

Returning to our test mule, the vehicle looks like it came straight from a rally stage, being covered in traces of hooning, 19-inch wheels included.

Behind that covered-up front grille, we expect to find Ford’s new 2.3-liter Ecoboost four-cylinder unit. The turbocharged mill will also power the entry-level version of the 2015 Mustang. While in the ‘Stang will offer at least 305 ponies, the new Focus RS should deliver 350 horses. This means it will match the output of the previous generation RS500 limited edition model.

The new Ford Focus RS should hit the market by 2016, while the Blue Oval is expected to introduce a new generation of its compact in 2017.
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About the author: Andrei Tutu
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In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist.
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