New Ford Focus RS: Will it Happen?

Ford engineers say they know what sort of car a new Focus RS would be. They also say it would make a profit. (The previous Europe-only Focus RS sold out.) But if top management thinks the development cash would get a better return used in another way, there's no certainty the Focus RS will get the investment.

The engine would have to develop about 350 horsepower. The last Focus RS did 300 horses, with a special 350-horsepower final edition, using a modified Volvo five-cylinder 2.5-liter engine. The new one would be a hot EcoBoost four. Can capacity stretch beyond the 2.0 liters of the 250-horse Focus ST? It can, according to Ford's global hot-car and competitions strategy chief, Jost Capito, though he won't say by how much.

The hottest Focus will be front drive, not AWD, says Joe Bakaj, until recently Ford of Europe's engineering boss. The platform has AWD capability, as proved by the Vertrek concept crossover that will replace the Kuga and Escape.

Front drive would save considerable weight -- about 200 pounds. Otherwise it would be hard to open up a significant performance gap over the Focus ST, and with the weight of AWD, economy and agility would suffer. So would cost.

What about torque steer and traction limitations? The new electric power steering system can be programmed to counter torque steer, Bakaj explains. The 'Revoknuckle' axle developed for the old RS, a non-turning strut with a pivoted hub, reduced the rotational leverage the tire contact patches imposed on the steering axis. It did a good job of keeping the car going where the driver pointed. "Imagine what you could do by combining Revoknuckle with EPS," Bakaj muses.

Meanwhile, the electronic stability system's torque vectoring function on the new Focus is claimed to make a reasonably effective substitute for a limited-slip diff, allowing the chassis designers the freedom to use a stiff front anti-roll bar (without limited-slip, a stiff bar reduces traction by unweighting the inner wheel). We're skeptical of any scheme that relies on brakes to help acceleration.

So there you are. A hatchback with 350 horsepower or so, a six-speed transmission, front drive with Revoknuckle front suspension, and control blades at the rear.

It would have 20-inch wheels and a stiff, agile chassis. It could weigh as little as 3200 pounds, hit 60 mph in little more than 5 seconds, and crack 160 mph.

Such a machine would need to be identifiable, so expect a new front face and body kit, plus wider wheel arches and sills. With the new Focus's cabin quality and available electronics content, it would be a car to run with the BMW 1 Series M and Euro Audi RS3.

So, enthusiasts of the world, start bothering your dealer. If there's enough pressure, Ford might just give it the green light. The ingredients and the plan are all ready.