Photo: Ford
With the Ford Focus RS entering the world these days, our reactions are crucial, as Ford Performance is keeping a close eye on the matter. The reason? The Blue Oval’s go-fast arm is considering an even more extreme version of the RS, one that would become the hottest hot hatch you can find in a showroom.
With premium competitors such as the Audi RS3, BMW M135i and Mercedes A45 AMG, such a target might seem out of reach, but Ford Performance is prepared to take up the challenge, as Autocar writes.
The only thing Dave Pericak’s team needs in order to start the development of the compact beast is a solid business case. Don’t expect such a car to undercut the rivals mentioned above in terms of pricing just because it comes with a Ford badge.
Performance is performance, no matter the premium tag, so such a Focus RS could come with a starting price of well over EUR40,000.
Instead of betting everything on the power card, Ford Performance is prepared to put the RS on an extreme diet, thus improving performance thanks to a significant boost in terms of the power-to-weight ratio.
The list of updates would include carbon fiber reinforced plastic body elements, polycarbonate windows, forged aluminum suspension components, carbon ceramic brakes, as well as a stripped-out cabin with thinner soundproofing.
At the same time, the tech side of the Focus RS should be upgraded. The standard model already packs a GKN-supplied intelligent rear diff, with the new version potentially adding an electronically-controlled limited slip front differential, as well as a dual-clutch transmission.
Ford already offers the Powershift dual-clutch on many civilian models, but the gearbox, which comes from Getrag, would need major improvements in order to cope with the torque level of such a compact monster.
Even with the added weight of the tech updates mentioned above, the machine would still be around 220 lbs (100 kg) lighter compared to the standard vehicle.
The actual performance could be insane enough to allow the Focus RS to complete the 0 to 60 mph sprint in under 4 seconds, but the financial toll of such an engineering adventure is more than serious.
With the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution now gone, the Focus RS is taking its somewhat affordable AWD performance role extremely seriously.
The only thing Dave Pericak’s team needs in order to start the development of the compact beast is a solid business case. Don’t expect such a car to undercut the rivals mentioned above in terms of pricing just because it comes with a Ford badge.
Performance is performance, no matter the premium tag, so such a Focus RS could come with a starting price of well over EUR40,000.
The technical story
If approved, the insane Focus won’t rely on tons of extra power to achieve its segment leader target. With the EcoBoost 2.3-liter four-cylinder already developing 345 hp (350 PS), the engine would need a massive cooling upgrade in order to be pushed significantly higher.Instead of betting everything on the power card, Ford Performance is prepared to put the RS on an extreme diet, thus improving performance thanks to a significant boost in terms of the power-to-weight ratio.
The list of updates would include carbon fiber reinforced plastic body elements, polycarbonate windows, forged aluminum suspension components, carbon ceramic brakes, as well as a stripped-out cabin with thinner soundproofing.
At the same time, the tech side of the Focus RS should be upgraded. The standard model already packs a GKN-supplied intelligent rear diff, with the new version potentially adding an electronically-controlled limited slip front differential, as well as a dual-clutch transmission.
Ford already offers the Powershift dual-clutch on many civilian models, but the gearbox, which comes from Getrag, would need major improvements in order to cope with the torque level of such a compact monster.
Even with the added weight of the tech updates mentioned above, the machine would still be around 220 lbs (100 kg) lighter compared to the standard vehicle.
The actual performance could be insane enough to allow the Focus RS to complete the 0 to 60 mph sprint in under 4 seconds, but the financial toll of such an engineering adventure is more than serious.
With the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution now gone, the Focus RS is taking its somewhat affordable AWD performance role extremely seriously.
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