Photo: Ford via Evo Magazine
With only 5 hours to go until the 2016 Ford Focus RS will make its official live debut in Cologne, Germany, the peeps from Evo let the cat out of the bag. Though specifications are still sketchy, what you can see in the pixel-laden photo gallery below is the real deal and it’s hungry for other hot hatchbacks’ blood.
Evo may have taken their story down in the meantime, but we did catch a glimpse of what the British publication reported about the 2016 Ford Focus RS - 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-banger engine that’s expected to churn out 350 horsepower, torque-vectoring all-wheel drive and a RevoKnuckle front suspension.
It’s anybody’s guess if Evo got the intel under embargo or upped the Mustang EcoBoost mill’s output unknowingly, but one thing is certain: more than 300 turbo’d ponies are definitely in the cards. Moving on to the torque-vectoring AWD, this system was rumoured beforehand. Torque-vectoring AWD basically means that the electronic driving aids reserved for the front axle until now have been adapted for the rear axle too with the 2016 Ford Focus RS. Simple as that.
It’s both cost-efficient and highly usable in most pedal-to-the-metal full opposite lock attack scenarios. It would be a little optimistic to say that the AWD system resembles that of rally-bred road-going vehicles like the EVO X and WRX STI, but it’s not far from it. We’re definitely happy FoMoCo retained the highly efficient RevoKnuckle suspension system up front, a bit of kit that reduces torque steer and improves steering feel.
If you thought that the super aggressive aero-conscious exterior is hot enough to burn your fingers by simply touching it, wait ’til you hear these details: 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in less than 5 clicks, the AWD system’s torque-vectoring feature operates by brake pads gingerly massaging the disc/discs of any given wheel/wheels, 70 percent of the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine’s oomph can be sent to the rear axle. Gulp!
Are you excited or what? Keep close though - in 5 hours we’ll return with a more detailed story.
It’s anybody’s guess if Evo got the intel under embargo or upped the Mustang EcoBoost mill’s output unknowingly, but one thing is certain: more than 300 turbo’d ponies are definitely in the cards. Moving on to the torque-vectoring AWD, this system was rumoured beforehand. Torque-vectoring AWD basically means that the electronic driving aids reserved for the front axle until now have been adapted for the rear axle too with the 2016 Ford Focus RS. Simple as that.
It’s both cost-efficient and highly usable in most pedal-to-the-metal full opposite lock attack scenarios. It would be a little optimistic to say that the AWD system resembles that of rally-bred road-going vehicles like the EVO X and WRX STI, but it’s not far from it. We’re definitely happy FoMoCo retained the highly efficient RevoKnuckle suspension system up front, a bit of kit that reduces torque steer and improves steering feel.
If you thought that the super aggressive aero-conscious exterior is hot enough to burn your fingers by simply touching it, wait ’til you hear these details: 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in less than 5 clicks, the AWD system’s torque-vectoring feature operates by brake pads gingerly massaging the disc/discs of any given wheel/wheels, 70 percent of the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine’s oomph can be sent to the rear axle. Gulp!
Are you excited or what? Keep close though - in 5 hours we’ll return with a more detailed story.
UPDATE: we've added a photo of Ken Block teasing the Focus RS. As the man tells on his official Facebook account: "Just for you fans, I took this little sneak peek of the actual car that will be revealed tomorrow. Wanna see the whole thing? Head over to http://www.gofurtherlive.com/ to see the reveal LIVE on Tuesday, Feb. 3rd at 13:45 CET here in Germany, 7:45 EST in America."
UPDATE 2: 316 BHP claimed by AutoCar.
UPDATE 3: here is what you've been waiting for: "Over 320 PS"
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