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NEWS
SPY PICS: New Ford Focus RS
An all-new stove-hot Ford Focus RS will indeed be a production realityThe "Will they? Won't they?" saga of the next-gen Ford Focus RS has been an ongoing one, with the blue oval initially saying they wouldn't build a successor to the memorable second-gen model that ceased production three years ago.
However, there appears to have been a change of heart among the company's top brass, with Ford of Europe COO Barb Samardzich recently quoted as saying: "I can't give you any confirmation today, but let's say there's a strong desire" to build a Focus RS.
Another Ford spokesperson added: "We have a rich heritage of RS cars, and we're not about to let any competitors overtake us in that respect."
And now here's more confirmation via these Automedia spy pics of a test mule that can only be a prototype of the next-gen Focus RS.
Although some of the body kit elements are common to the existing Focus ST, you'll notice the absence of the two centrally mounted tailpipes. Instead, there are cutouts in the rear bumper diffuser for a fat pair of exhausts, exiting closer to the outer extremities of the car.
Propulsion for the RS will come from a derivative of the new 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that's also destined for the new Mustang, but in this application it's expected to kick out up to 260kW (compared with the last Focus RS's 225kW), which should give the car the oomph to mix it with the likes of the Mercedes A45 AMG.
Unlike the all-paw Benz though, the Focus RS will send drive solely to the front wheels, albeit with the Revoknuckle suspension set-up ensuring it doesn't end up a torque-steering, tyre shredding monster.
The RS will also get a limited-slip differential, firmed-up springs and dampers, beefed-up brakes, a large wheel/tyre package and a sportier cabin. It's believed the RS will be offered in five-door form only, as per the lesser Focus ST.
The four-pot turbo engine reportedly had to be significantly re-engineered for the Focus where, unlike in the Mustang, it will be transversely mounted.
According to reports, initial discussions to use electric motors on the rear wheels to boost performance and cut emissions were reportedly deemed too expensive to develop, as well as being a negative for many traditional hot-hatch buyers.
However, as per the Focus ST, the engine note will be channelled into the cabin using Ford's Sound Symposer, which opens a valve between the engine bay and cabin.
Samardzich has gone on record as saying the Focus RS would not cannibalise sales of the Mustang, as buyers for the two vehicles belonged to very different groups.
"There's more room for more performance products across the range in the small, medium and large car segments," Samardzich told Autocar.
"A whole suite of such cars is what I have in mind. I'm noting there are two different kinds of customers — one for ST products, which are fun but have an everyday usability, and another, more racing-focused customer who wants an RS-type car.
"Evolving both alongside Mustang is complementary; the customers for one don't necessarily want the other."
– with Automedia
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Written byGautam Sharma
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