The 2010 Ford Focus RS Mountune. Image: Ford Motor Company
First the good news: Gunnar Herrmann, Ford’s global head of small cars, has confirmed that the much-revered Ford Focus RS will be back for a third generation, and it may produce as much as 350 horsepower from its 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine. Now the bad news: if you want to get your hands on one, you’d best live somewhere other than the United States, which will probably have to make due with the upcoming Ford Focus ST. The Focus RS, we’re told, is “too expensive” and “too narrowly targeted” to appeal to U.S. buyers.
Hermann also shot down rumors that the next generation Focus RS would switch to all-wheel-drive instead of the front-wheel-drive used on previous versions. Ford’s “Revoknuckle” suspension does an admirable job of limiting torque steer, and Focus RS models also include a torque-biasing Quaife limited-slip differential to get the power to the ground. While AWD would improve traction, it would also increase the car’s weight, complexity and cost.
There’s no word on when the lucky bastards in the rest of the world will see the new Focus RS, but my guess is in 2013 as a 2014 model. In the meantime, those of us on this side of the pond are counting down the days until Ford launches the 250-horsepower Focus ST in the United States. The automaker hasn’t given us specifics, but I’d be willing to bet that the 2012 Ford Focus ST will be launched at next year’s Detroit Auto Show.
Editor’s Note: We incorrectly attributed the origination of this story to Left Lane News, instead of Drive.com.au, who first published it. Our apologies to the Drive.com staff, and we promise to buy a round in reparation next time we’re in Sydney.
Source: Drive.com.au via Left Lane News
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
