2009 Focus Rallye Sport: The Last of Its Kind?

The financial turmoil keeps on making taking its toll on the automotive industry. Automakers sacrifice jobs, plants, subsidiaries and car models, in a so far futile attempt to gain the benevolence of the all mighty Crisis.

As if it hasn't done enough damage by itself, the crisis joined forces with future emission laws and might put an end to good old muscle cars and high performance engines as we know them.

As a result, Ford may have to scrap the RS badge off its Ford Focus model, as such performance vehicles are no longer viable for the company. The new 2009 Focus is the first Ford to wear the RS badge since the first generation of the model came into production in 2002. But it may as well be the last one, as no one in the company can see a future for the RS.

“The new Focus RS is pretty special, and not just because of its incredible performance, but because it’s likely to be the last car of this type you will see from Ford,” a Ford insider was quoted as saying by imotormag.net. As future prospects dictate today's decisions, Ford will most likely give up on the RS to focus its attention into the development of hybrid and electric cars.

The Focus RS will hit UK dealerships in March and will wear a price tag of 24,995 pounds. Expensive or not, enthusiast should cue up to buy the performance oriented Ford. As the aforementioned insider said, “people should enjoy cars like the Focus RS while they can. It’s unlikely you will see driver focused high performance hatchbacks ever again.”