Details of new 280bhp Ford Focus RS revealed
Autocar claims to have the skinny on Ford's new Focus RS that may debut as soon as this summer's London Motor Show. The new Focus RS will get all the updates seen on the 2008 Ford Focus in Europe, which means it will combine the standard car's new Kinetic Design styling cues with big intakes, flares and a serious dose of attitude as seen above in the teaser image released last month. Autocar claims the new RS will be powered by the same 2.5L five-cylinder turbo from the Focus ST, but with modified pistons, cams and valve springs, a bigger turbo and a larger intercooler, all of which will bump power up from 222bhp to an impressive 280bhp. Autocar has also confirmed that power will be sent to the front wheels alone, but claims Ford has a new electronic front differential to keep the car steady under power. What transmission will be offered is still up in the air, with Volvo's new six-speed PowerShift dual-clutch gearbox still being considered.
The new Focus RS should be able to reach 60 mph in under six seconds without breaking a sweat, but its top speed will likely be governed to 155 mph. Projected pricing of around £25,000 is aimed squarely at the Volkswagen R32 in Europe, though the new Mitsubishi EVO X and Subaru Impreza STI are also in the car's crosshairs. We're happy for our European brethren that the new Focus RS sounds every bit as good as advertised, and continue to patiently wait until Ford's plan of integrating platforms on a global scale delivers unto us a worthy successor to the late, great Focus SVT.
Autocar claims to have the skinny on Ford's new Focus RS that may debut as soon as this summer's London Motor Show. The new Focus RS will get all the updates seen on the 2008 Ford Focus in Europe, which means it will combine the standard car's new Kinetic Design styling cues with big intakes, flares and a serious dose of attitude as seen above in the teaser image released last month. Autocar claims the new RS will be powered by the same 2.5L five-cylinder turbo from the Focus ST, but with modified pistons, cams and valve springs, a bigger turbo and a larger intercooler, all of which will bump power up from 222bhp to an impressive 280bhp. Autocar has also confirmed that power will be sent to the front wheels alone, but claims Ford has a new electronic front differential to keep the car steady under power. What transmission will be offered is still up in the air, with Volvo's new six-speed PowerShift dual-clutch gearbox still being considered.
The new Focus RS should be able to reach 60 mph in under six seconds without breaking a sweat, but its top speed will likely be governed to 155 mph. Projected pricing of around £25,000 is aimed squarely at the Volkswagen R32 in Europe, though the new Mitsubishi EVO X and Subaru Impreza STI are also in the car's crosshairs. We're happy for our European brethren that the new Focus RS sounds every bit as good as advertised, and continue to patiently wait until Ford's plan of integrating platforms on a global scale delivers unto us a worthy successor to the late, great Focus SVT.
