New Focus RS

[Martyvan]

Now this does appear to be new....

http://www.caradvice.com.au/3217/09-...we-get-a-turn/

Very interesting... like the wheels on the black one, and the spoiler on the blue one

[melbzetec]

mmmmm I'm sure I saw that photo and others some time ago. 12 months ago?

[Polyal]

Yeah oldish pic, they are certainly taking their sweet time.

[Stugots]

It all seems like a pointless exercise if they don't go AWD.

[Martyvan]

Originally Posted by melbzetec

mmmmm I'm sure I saw that photo and others some time ago. 12 months ago?

I had seen the black ones, but not the blue ones, which looks like it is being smashed around a circuit somewhere... interesting to see some publicity on an australian media site though....

[MAGPIE]

with total output said to be between 280 and 300bhp

the new Focus had AWD

They said this about the first Focus RS

[photn]

the photos are old but it seems the writers have nothing better to do than jsut keep re-writing articles.

[Stugots]

Ford will most likely keep FWD fitted with new a Semi-Active Limited Slip Differential to keep costs down.

Helps make the decision to buy a Golf R32 or Impreza STI alot easier.

[photn]

Originally Posted by Stugots

Helps make the decision to buy a Golf R32 or Impreza STI alot easier.

or an EVO!

[More revs]

or a Renault Sport Megane.. FWD but no bad vices.. That is if you dont mind driving a car that looks like you backed into a wall... lol

[bman]

Ford is working on a top-secret new Focus RS, and is likely to choose next year’s London motor show for the car’s grand unveiling.

Buoyed by storming market demand for the Focus ST — which in its first year sold twice as well as its deadly rival, the VW Golf GTi in the UK — Ford believes it has created market space for a faster, edgier, 30 per cent more powerful Focus whose near-supercar performance and rally-car looks can both take advantage of last year’s win in the World Rally Championship and recall the heady days of the Escort RS Cosworth.

The new car, powered by a 280bhp turbocharged version of Ford’s five-cylinder engine, retains two-wheel drive but will use a special semi-active limited-slip diff to improve traction and on-limit handling. It has standard 19-inch wheels, special springs, dampers and anti-roll bars, and rides a little lower than the already-lowered Focus ST, which keeps its status as Ford’s bigger-selling, more versatile sporty saloon. Like the ST, the RS uses a six-speed stick-shift transmission. Total production is forecast at between 5000 and 10,000 units before the next Focus arrives.

Ford’s performance cars boss, Jost Capito, won’t confirm the car’s existence, on the grounds that it’s not yet in the company’s official plan, though he refuses to condemn the concept. “We are always pushing for cars like this,” he said, “but it is difficult because we have limited funds to spend on sporty cars. However, we would obviously like to build cars like this one.”

Designers want to avoid over-decorating the new RS, but the car is nevertheless believed to have a deeper front bumper with rally-style brake and turbo air scoops, plus a rear roof spoiler design influenced by the WRC cars. Flared wheel arches won’t be on the agenda as they were in the previous Focus RS; they’re deemed too expensive for such a low-volume model. Instead, the RS will use distinctive interior materials and badges to emphasise its special status.

It is perhaps a surprise that the new RS retains front-wheel drive when Ford has access to various Volvo and Land Rover 4x4 systems that might have been adapted. But retaining two-wheel drive saves money: Ford plans to have the RS on the market at the impressively low price of £21,000 to £23,000, only about £3500 ahead of the ST entry price. The project is believed to need around 18 months to complete, so production cars should be ready by June 2009.

[bman]

the above was posted a few months ago in the UK, but the UKFOCUS forum has all the members stating that it has been shelved......NO MONEY IN IT?!

[photn]

well considering they actually made a loss on the FOCUS RS to start off with... i bet they tried to make it cost effective, but failed.

[ClevlndStemer]

There will be no RS Focus

Source: Auto Express

Ford ditches new Focus RS

According to our sources, the firm will not use the famous RS badge on the current or imminent facelifted MkII machine - due late in 2008 - because of concerns over CO2 emissions.

One potential RS customer, who had placed a deposit for the car at his local dealership, said: "I'd handed over the cash 18 months ago, not wanting to miss out. But I was told staff had to return it, as the project has been abandoned on environmental grounds."

A Ford spokesperson revealed: "Our commitment to performance cars meant that we did build a number of Focus engineering mules to test and develop high-performance parts for future products. Sadly, we never got to the point where we were ready to begin developing a business case for an RS-badged Focus."

Auto Express last scooped these cars in Issue 933. It's believed that prototypes offered around 300bhp and four-wheel drive. But the spokesperson was keen to dismiss the claim that the decision was eco-based.

"It's worth bearing in mind that it's not the green issue which is driving this decision - cars have to be profitable. While Britain is the home of RS, there's not enough interest across other markets for us to earn the kind of money that's going to give the vehicle a green light," said the spokesperson.

However, there is still hope for fast Ford fans. Potential RS versions of the MkIII Focus, due in 2010, are possible.

[Martyvan]

Its amusing, Ford Aus said the same things about the Turbo Territory early on.... Wonder if they use media representitives trained at the same college...

[Miyagi]

please let the RS come here! (from all reports i thought it had been canned also)