The arrival of the production version of the Focus RS won't be happening until 2009, but during the London Motor Show in July, we'll get our first glimpse of Ford's newest road rocket. Top Gear conjured up some unofficial renderings of what the new RS would look like based on the teaser image that was released earlier this year, and by all accounts, it's mix of restrained aggression and planted purposefulness hits all the right spots and leaves us even more frustrated that we won't be seeing it here in the States.
As for output, informed speculation still pegs the RS as making around 280-300 hp from its turbocharged, inline five-cylinder and sending that grunt to the front wheels. Ford has decided to opt out of equipping the RS with an all-wheel-drive system – something that may prove problematic if it still wants to compete with the Evo and STI – but Ford is assuring enthusiasts that a semi-active limited-slip differential will keep torque steer in check.
[Source: Top Gear]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Hamud @ Mar 13th 2008 3:38PM
A
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Franz @ Mar 13th 2008 3:38PM
That's one angry looking Focus. I like it.
John P. @ Mar 13th 2008 3:39PM
oh boy!! THAT is the car I WANT!!!!!!!!
MachinaDC5 @ Mar 13th 2008 3:42PM
Torque steer will be kept in check, but rest assured going WOT in first and second will be nothing short of hilarious.
E30FTMFW @ Mar 13th 2008 3:46PM
FWD = STUPID
The ONLY thing exciting about this car was the Turbo + AWD. With no AWD it's just another over-powered grocery getter.
FORD = STUPID
Gregg @ Mar 13th 2008 4:06PM
We'll see. One thing for sure is it will be lighter than Evo and STi with the lack of AWD. That will give it an advantage to balance out some of what it gives up. If Ford can do some magic with active limited slip and suspension tuning, it might still be a contender.
TORR @ Mar 13th 2008 4:36PM
E30FTMFW=STUPID
Lightweight car that can be used everywhere and returns good gas mileage, bring it on.
mctwist16 @ Mar 13th 2008 5:51PM
Without awd i think it would miss that 'spirit' of being an evo/sti contender. This thing will probably still haul ass as a fwd car.
Personally I would want the awd tho :(
mk @ Mar 13th 2008 3:50PM
If the STI Looked that good with 300+ HP and real AWD, it would be fantastic, especially in a somewhat slick little 3-door. (almost looks like the old sierras again, in the glasshouse area, heaven forbid they bring those Rear-drivers back with this kind of styling.)
Front wheel drive is still a big deal breaker. Not to mention that it won't be available in the US, and we get the craptacular Focus warmed-over yet again. Left-overs get nasty after a while...
Jason @ Mar 13th 2008 3:51PM
that's one HOT econobox. If small cars started looking that good, I might actually consider getting one someday.
geo.stewart @ Mar 13th 2008 4:07PM
sweet hot mama!
I could deal with that.
oh well.
havoc @ Mar 13th 2008 3:52PM
This (i would assume) shares the underpinings with the volvo c30, and mazda3. currently the i5t c30 is quite underpowered compared to the 2.3mzr disi turbo... sounds like this version of the 2.5l will def benefit from the features and development of the mazdaspeed3 layout (MPS).
stock my ms3 doesn't have many problems with daily driving, but i would have liked a twin scroll turbo or a sequential setup to boost in those low low rpm ranges like on a gti or miniS. hopefully the new turbo i5 will not have the same full-rich-at-full-boost issues of the 'speed' editions (and back to the mazdaspeed prot).
Justin @ Mar 13th 2008 4:40PM
That front end is awesome. I thought my cb7 looked good in the front, but this is in a different league. I rarely say that about newish economy cars.
rav3 @ Mar 13th 2008 5:22PM
I think not offering this in the States is an insult and all you freedom loving patriots should make your voice be heard.
I think Ford really have a chance to sharpen their image with this (and the Mondeo), using a similar language in the rest of their lineup. Interior/exterior. The stang could learn a lesson or two from this baby, inside and out. The steering wheel in this Focus versus the Stang comes to mind as an example... The gauges, stereo, vents and random trim are also tastefully done.
In other words, wake up, Ford!
I've wanted few Fords, fewer Focus and even fewer FWD cars but I'd take this baby.
Kayne001 @ Mar 13th 2008 8:04PM
yeah I'm pissed, would considered buying this straight up.
Jorge @ Mar 13th 2008 6:41PM
Always a pleasure to see this kind of cars here in Mexico, like the Focus ST. By the way it was great to see it running in the WRC Mexico Rally 2008 a couple of weeks ago.
Max Fun @ Mar 13th 2008 10:50PM
OMG... this has the sex appeal of a tin can. No polish, all bumps and nothing sleek. Even the VW Scirocco looks better. If Ford can come up with something like the Verve, why can't they translate some of the sheen to the Focus?
Xcountryflyer @ Mar 14th 2008 12:45AM
And Ford sells us the Michael Bolton ugly Ford Focus.
Anthony @ Mar 14th 2008 5:29AM
I drive a Neon SRT-4 and torque steer is not an issue.
I have 270+hp/300+ft of torque and I am not a dumb-ass, I don't street race, I run at the track and have drag radials and slicks, the car has run the best of 12.74@106 currently on the stock turbo.
All this nonsense about overpowered FWD cars is just silly. Carroll Shelby said of his then powerful turbocharged FWD Dodge creations - "If you get torque steer, you can't drive"
All this love of electronic "nannies" to do what your hands, your head and right foot should do to control wheel spin, no wonder when people come on the SRT Forums and wonder how come their 1/4 mile times suck, we usually answer "The Driver" mod will help you the most.
I recently installed a Quaife LSD and I see no change really but a bit more traction around corners.
I havea S3 and that will bump power to over 400+hp/450ft at the wheels and will run deep into the 11's on slicks or drag radials.
Stop complaining and learn how to drive or save up for a STi or EVO X. Not everybody wants to butt heads with Subaru and Mitsubishi and produce a car that cost $30K plus....
NOreasonY @ Mar 14th 2008 1:46PM
well said...i read some scrutiny on the MS3 before it came out and now people love it, even with all the power it still drives great. I feel this wont be much different. Im sure they'll set it up well.