The new Mustang isn't the only Ford offering Blue Oval engineers a spicy time on the Nurburgring these days. A new test mule of the Focus RS has recently been spotted lapping the Nordschleife, with FWD clues arising once again.
All you have to do is follow the Focus' way of dealing with the twisties and you'll understand the front wheels are tasked with both steering and traction. The footage, which comes from TouriClips, only comes to confirm the conclusion we drew back in June.
The front-wheel drive will throw the Focus RS right in the middle of the Nurburgring FWD record battle between the Seat Leon Cupra and the Renault Megane RS - the Ford has plenty of chances to take the cake.
Most hot hatches with over 300 hp use all-wheel drive, but it appears the Blue Oval has stuck to a statement made a few years ago. Back then, Ford explained it could gift the Focus RS with all-wheel drive, but this wouldn't make financial sense.
Even though we were referring to the upcoming Shelby Mustang GT350, we didn't mention the pony car by accident. The third-generation Focus RS will borrow the Mustang's 2.3-liter Ecoboost four-cylinder engine. While on the 'Stang the unit churns out 305 hp, its output will be boosted to 330 horses for the hot hatch. Oh and let's not forget that while the Mustang "wears" this engine longitudinally, it will have a horizontal position on the RS. By the way, the exhaust note seems to be different from what we've heard on the Mustang Ecoboost, which shouldn't come as a surprise.
However, we mustn't forget the Mk2 Focus RS also treated us with a delicious RS500 limited edition, which delivered 350 PS (345 hp), so the Mk3 RS may pack a surprise of its own.
You should expect an apron & spoiler party too, while 19-inch wheels will be the special guests.
While Ford is expected to introduce a new generation of the Focus in 2017, the RS version of the current model should arrive a little over one year prior to that time.
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. Full profile
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