Hyper Hatches R Us

Not a lot of detail yet, but Ford of Europe has gone official by saying it is working on a new Focus RS that will be unveiled as a concept in mid 2008 ahead of an expected real-life introduction to Euro markets in 2009.

Ford says its new hotshot will be based on the revised and forthcoming ST model (more here), badged as the Focus XR5 in Australia.

In its current Australian form, the XR5/ST utilizes the 2.5-litre Volvo inline five-cylinder turbo engine producing 166kW and 320Nm.

The teaser material makes a lot of Ford's performances with the RS Focus in World Championship rallying, talking about a no-compromise road car that will be developed for "more enthusiastic drivers."

This paves the way for interesting speculation, some of which centres on the fact that although the XR5/ST Focus drives through just the front wheels, an all-wheel drive system, as employed in the Volvo S40 T5 equivalent, is available. The WRC Focus is also all-wheel drive.

The series production Focus RS is already being developed under the guidance of Jost Capito's Ford Team RS, which was responsible for the current ST Focus and Fiesta models.

Capito will take over the helm as Ford of Europe Performance Vehicles chief at the beginning of 2008.

"We have reviewed our technical options and worked closely with the design team on how the car might look," Capito says. "Now with the programme going ahead, the hard work really starts as the small team working on the project takes the car from prototype to production.

"We have the major competitors in our sights as we develop the car's performance, design, handling and braking."

The revised Focus ST that Ford says will underpin the RS is a more aggressive-looking version of the current (XR5) car, with a gaping lower air intake, revised headlights and grille, as well as a modified rear end, although the mechanical specification apparently stays pretty much the same.

So far Ford has only released a moody, Xenon lights-gleaming shot of the upcoming RS, from which can be gleaned the probability that there will be a couple of discreet bonnet vents to feed the turbocharged engine, as well as severely pumped-out wheelarch extensions. And "fog" lights of course.

Australia? If it's not coming to Europe until 2009, a date some time in 2010 seems most likely.

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