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Ford’s new RS twins

We reveal how firm is taking current hot hatch out with a bang – and bring you early glimpse of the sensational hybrid that will replace it

New Focus RS

By Dan Strong

01st February 2010

It's the future of the hottest Focus ever – but ‘R’ you ready for it? Feast your eyes on the two cars that will get every fast Ford fan salivating in anticipation!

According to Auto Express sources, the firm is planning a pair of new RS models. First up is a stripped-out Clubsport, designed to wave farewell to the current car in spectacular style. And then there’s a brand new RS, based on the Focus unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show.

The RS Clubsport (opposite) will arrive before the end of the year. Limited to 500 models and priced at around £35,000, it will get a 350bhp, 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo. There will also be lightweight racing seats, lowered and stiffened suspension and sticky tyres, plus a dramatic paintjob. With that extra punch but fewer kilos to carry around, it should sprint from 0-60mph in five seconds. As with Renault’s previous Mégane R26.R, it will be a fitting send-off for one of the best RS models in history.

Its replacement, the all-new RS (above), will be crammed with technology, and offer fans a totally different experience to the current car. A revolutionary hybrid system will give it the option of four-wheel drive.

The outgoing RS’s much-loved 2.5-litre unit will make way for a 2.0 EcoBoost direct-injection turbo in the new car. This will be teamed with an electric motor to offer more muscle, and cut emissions and fuel consumption.

In short, the RS will reinvent the hot hatch. So, where will this hybrid powertrain come from? Well, it’s already been revealed – in Peugeot’s SR1 concept (Issue 1,097). Although Ford is remaining tight-lipped at present, the French maker recently let slip to Auto Express that it will co-develop the new system with the blue oval.

While the SR1 uses the same 218bhp 1.6-litre turbo as the MINI JCW, augmented by a 95bhp electric motor, the Focus RS EcoBoost will be mated to a slightly less powerful unit in order to ensure reliability.

Total output should be 300bhp, and with the engine driving the front wheels while the electric motor feeds the rears, the Focus RS will have incredible traction. Expect 0-60mph in five seconds and a 155mph top speed. What’s more, thanks to the torque-vectoring system from the regular Focus, a development of the existing RS’s RevoKnuckle suspension set-up and dynamic cornering control, the RS’s grip, stability and adjustability will really set the driving experience alight.

In addition, the car will have the ability to juggle electric assistance according to road conditions, a stop-start system, brake energy recovery and a dual-clutch Powershift box. This means it could return 40mpg and emit 150g/km of CO2.

The new model will look the part, too, enhancing the striking lines of the fresh Focus with a sporty bodykit. The front boasts extra air intakes – with bonnet vents which hark back to those of the Escort RS Cosworth. And at the rear, a dramatic venturi-style bumper and huge roof-mounted spoiler complete the head-turning looks.

Inside are Recaro sports seats and carbon fibre trim. These will complement a sat-nav and Wi-Fi touchscreen, radar cruise control and voice activation.

Unfortunately, the Focus RS won’t arrive for at least another three years. In the meantime, the next 18 months will see the debut of a high-performance non-hybrid ST with a 240bhp 2.0-litre EcoBoost turbo.

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14 Comments

The new Focus is a fantastic looking car, Ive seen a lot of negative press about it looking to much like a big fiesta, but whats wrong with that? The fiesta is an amzing looking small car, even more so in the flesh.

By liveforever on 3 February, 2010, 4:26pm

4WD

Great news! I wish the new Focus RS will be made preferably with 4WD and 2.0 turbo engine producing over 300 horsepower!

By Thomars on 4 February, 2010, 2:38am

I agree with liveforever ,,its time other manufactors took a leaf out of fords book ,ford has come a long way with its styling and always in my oppion set the bar ..top maks ford ..from me.

By jemyd on 4 February, 2010, 7:17am

Lost its Focus?

The new car is attractive but I'm disappointed that Ford has chosen to abandon the C-pillar-mounted tail lights that have, to date, been a signature feature on the Focus.
The electrical drive to the rear wheels is an interesting development that seems to have taken a long time to appear. I would have thought that such a system would reduce the amount of re-engineering required to convert any front wheel drive car to 4 wheel drive so I'm surprised it has yet to appear widely.
One other advantage of the system is the reduction of mechanical transmission losses when 4WD is engaged. I look forward to seeing more cars fitted with this system.

By snappyuk on 4 February, 2010, 8:37am

Awesome

Visually on the money- if you want a Q car, buy an S4 an pay double
We all know the drive is going to be good, driving position first class etc, poised and balanced but maybe not with the raw, rear wheel lifting edge that the Mee-gan can give? I love the fact they ve gone balls out for the hybrid too- kudos to you for doing that Ford. As a lover of RS s from the halcyon Mk 2 days it's great to see that Ford can stil lead the way. I just hope Jeremy Clarkson hates it and only entusuiasts who know about cars buy it as a consequence.

By WeeKaisDa on 4 February, 2010, 9:26am

The best compact

Ford, Bravo! Focus is great car.

By Depp500 on 6 February, 2010, 12:35pm

RS Clubsport looks brilliant :)

By ianpammo on 6 February, 2010, 9:48pm

Finally....

....after Top Gear comparing the stripped out R26 Megane to the fully loaded RS, something to shut Hammond up once and for all. A stripped out, lightened and lowered RS - that's gonna be one awesome machine

By everton2004 on 10 February, 2010, 6:09pm

Utter disappointment

It doesn't look like a big Fiesta. It looks like a pre-cee'd Kia.

By chickenfeed on 11 February, 2010, 8:39am

Lie's

Sorry to say this But Autoexpress aint telling the truth about these cars.

By adzmcp on 15 February, 2010, 8:36pm

Official Video

See the Clubsport RS500 hit the track here...

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/videos/featuresvideos/250015/ford_focus_rs_500.html

By DanStrong2 on 26 March, 2010, 1:15pm

Official Video

See the Clubsport RS500 hit the track here...

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/videos/featuresvideos/250015/ford_focus_rs_500.html

By DanStrong2 on 26 March, 2010, 1:26pm

Who did the dodgy photoshop-ing? Check out the missing exhaust from the rear diffuser and the spray painted rear window! Why is auto express content always just a load of botched images from existing models?

By richardbryn on 17 April, 2010, 12:06am

Yes!!!

My mate's kicking himself having bout the 'standard' RS a few months ago- then the Mountune came out- now this!
Love the looks though!

By car_mad on 22 April, 2010, 5:40pm

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