Photo: Boguslaw Paruch
Now that the third generation of the Focus has received its ST hot hatch model, many greedy automotive enthusiasts like ourselves are waiting for the even hotter RS incarnation of the new Focus.
Ford officials have confirmed to autocar that the development of the new RS has already started, but it seems that the vehicle is yet to receive the production green light. However, this seems to be an imminent step and the new Focus RS is expected to arrive in 2015.
The new RS will drop the 300 hp Volvo 5-cylinder engine of the current one in favor of a new Ford 2.3-liter turbocharged petrol unit delivering about 330 hp. The unit will be transversely mounted in the Focus and it will albeit be used in the Mustang, albeit in a longitudinal configuration. The Mustang could in fact receive a slightly detuned version of the unit.
The idea to use a hybrid setup, with electric motors that would power the rear wheels, was left behind, as it was considered too expensive and it could have also brought confusion among hot hatch customers, affecting the image of the Focus RS.
The RS will keep the current front-wheel drive setup and is set to offer an upgraded version of the Revoknuckle front suspension, a feature that didn’t make it into the new ST due to the fact that it was seen as too expensive.
Ford has tried to adapt the Kuga’s All-Wheel Drive system for the Focus, since the two share the platform, but the weight and packaging penalty caused this solution to be abandoned.
The new RS will drop the 300 hp Volvo 5-cylinder engine of the current one in favor of a new Ford 2.3-liter turbocharged petrol unit delivering about 330 hp. The unit will be transversely mounted in the Focus and it will albeit be used in the Mustang, albeit in a longitudinal configuration. The Mustang could in fact receive a slightly detuned version of the unit.
The idea to use a hybrid setup, with electric motors that would power the rear wheels, was left behind, as it was considered too expensive and it could have also brought confusion among hot hatch customers, affecting the image of the Focus RS.
The RS will keep the current front-wheel drive setup and is set to offer an upgraded version of the Revoknuckle front suspension, a feature that didn’t make it into the new ST due to the fact that it was seen as too expensive.
Ford has tried to adapt the Kuga’s All-Wheel Drive system for the Focus, since the two share the platform, but the weight and packaging penalty caused this solution to be abandoned.
Google News