We’ve heard confirmation of a Ford Focus RS model, and we’ve seen the teaser pics floating around. But do we have the specs, do we have anything physical to go on, a tyre thread, a steering wheel, anything? Nope. We have this photograph. Plus the teaser image that’s already been published.
London Motor Show in July is the place to be if you want to check out the entire detail. Of course some time before then WCF would have supplied technical specs, as usual. But for now we have to rely on crumbs thrown down from the engineering insiders’ table at Ford that firstly the Focus RS will not be 4WD but front-wheel-driven. This alone is probably enough to make it a Mazda3 MPS rival more than a Subaru STI foe. But wait, there’s more. Looks like we’ll be coming in at under 300 bhp – 280 bhp speculated on this one! It’s a lot sure, but again, STI places 300 horses on its back, with an additional 8 horses just in case.
FWD of course makes sense up until around 320 bhp where 4WD must be used. Otherwise you can stick to rear-wheel-driven motors. We are hoping for 4WD and that magical 300-plus horses from the 2.5-litre turbo, and there’s still time to effect the necessary changes before the RS hits the market.
Ford Focus RS Concept Headed for London
TopGear / Ford Focus RS Concept
Look forward to 280 bhp of raw Ford
By Thami Masemola
March 13, 2008 8:17 PM
Filed Under: American, Concept Car, Ford
Comments
ck314
March 13, 2008 11:00 PM
Well, most reviews state that new gen STi's traded some racing genes for safety and comfort (weight, muted sound, etc). Here you might get around 20hp less but w/out the drag of a 4wd system, and LSD will surely be standard = HOT! And I love those sun orange dials.
mroctober
March 14, 2008 2:01 AM
why do european Ford models look so much nicer than US counterparts?
AussieV8
March 14, 2008 4:29 AM
I can't believe that Ford Europe is going to miss the oppotunity to beat the WRX and EVO X is one car! Mazda 3 MPS rival?? brillant Ford take out a car that you helped to pay for. 4wd and 280bhp is what they need to release, if you want more do what everybody else does and go to a tuner!
122
March 14, 2008 8:37 AM
This car looks Hoott. Apart from the vents on top of the hood, its looks great. If the vents are put to actual use (cooling the engine) then its a reasonable reason for it to be there.. otherwise, remove the damn thing.
jphxr
March 14, 2008 10:25 AM
its hard for me to say anything good about ford (personal preference thing) but performance aside, it looks like they have a solid design minus the hood vents (very tacky) looks like the last post covered that though
joelynn
March 14, 2008 11:41 AM
hmm... not sure about the front altogether- they'd do well to take a leaf out of Ford Australia's book
122
March 14, 2008 3:07 PM
lol Actually Ford australia is adopting the euro look. You probably meant the execution of the finished product?
radmeister
March 14, 2008 11:57 AM
285hp of raw volvo power....The dials are off of the S60R except orange instead of blue. The engine is from volvo. If they put in the AWD from the S60R and the Ohlins shocks this little car will beat out the WRX and Evo X.
phobos
March 14, 2008 3:58 PM
it will not beat out the evo x..evo's 4wd is one of the fascinating tech in the world of sport car
catch22
March 14, 2008 5:34 PM
Expect a very stiff car this time again... not much different than last RS. Considering Top Gear's Stig beat the hell out of its competitors with the last one, we should expect the same. My bet is that it will beat Impreza STI hatch around Top Gear's track however it will suck on public roads...
radmeister
March 14, 2008 7:07 PM
I doubt without AWD it will beat the STi, unless it was like 500lbs lighter, FWD sucks on a track and it has less hp.
ck314
March 14, 2008 7:55 PM
on twisty roads with nice grip, lighter weight, better suspension setup plus limited slip diff its gonna beat the sti for granted.. dont forget this car is supposed to be tuned by ford motorsport rally enthusiasts.. another thing would be on slippery surfaces of course
catch22
March 17, 2008 9:11 AM
The old RS could beat the WRX quite easily around Top Gear's track with Stig on the wheel. I know the STI is a lot better than WRX but considering added weight and friction losses of 4WD, the RS might as well triumph with its ligthweight and agile chassis and suspension setup. Just a point, we shall wait and see...
NISMO
March 14, 2008 6:38 PM
Yet another Ford that would probably sell well in the States that will probably never be brought to the States...add it to the list...
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