Focus ST in final production trim, but Ford’s German vehicle line director for C-Segment models, Gunnar Herrmann, recently told Australian news site Drive that the company has given the green light for a high-performance RS version. Built in limited numbers, the previous Focus RS was a 305HP, front-wheel drive hot hatch that wouldn’t look out of place in a WRC rally stage. Despite the fact that all that power was directed only to the front wheels, it handled extremely well partially thanks to Ford’s RevoKnuckle suspension.
Herrmann told the Australian website that Team RS, which is responsible for all hot versions of European Fords, will stick to FWD for the new Focus RS, denying rumors that the company was thinking of making the car a hybrid by using electric motors to power the rear wheels.
“I think we will stay with our two-wheel-drive strategy for the new RS, which was well executed for the previous version,” said Herrmann.
Surely, the new RS should have more power than its predecessor, but how much can the front wheels handle before terminal understeer?
Herrmann doesn’t seem worried: “More power for the next RS is sustainable. With the limited edition, UK-only RS500 we went up to 350HP – and some of our development units had up to 380HP and even more torque. Then you get into the issue of durability – but the car can handle it”.
The next Focus RS, which is expected in early 2014, will retain the RevoKnuckle suspension but ditch the Volvo-sourced 2.5-liter five-cylinder in favor of a more powerful version of the 2.0-liter Ford EcoBoost four-cylinder that will also power the ST.
So, how much power will the new RS muster? Well, given that the new ST’s output will reach 250HP, and Herrmann's statements about RS500, we would venture a guess in the 350 to 380HP range.
