Just call it the Ned Kelly of hatchbacks – a more hardcore Ford Focus RS is being considered that would steal the fastest production hatch crown from the affluent Mercedes-AMG A45 and Audi RS3.
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Budget constraints reportedly limited Ford’s ability to offer the standard RS with weight-saving options, though a limited version could give more potential for improving the power-to-weight ratio.
So far, we’re already stoked for the all-new Ford Focus RS, expected to debut soon with around 345hp and lots of high-performance tech to make it one of the hottest hatches yet, with a 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds. According to reports out of the United Kingdom, the reaction to the 350-horsepower Focus RS is being studied closely by Ford, and it’s this that will influence the automaker’s decision to launch additional variants.
Performance is performance, no matter the premium tag, so such a Focus RS could come with a starting price of well over EUR40,000.
The list of updates would include carbon fiber reinforced plastic body elements, polycarbonate windows, forged aluminum suspension components, carbon ceramic brakes, as well as a stripped-out cabin with thinner soundproofing.
Ford may also decide to remove much of the RS’ noise insulation and pare back the car’s interior to the essentials. To help out with handling, the limited edition auto is expected to feature a limited-slip differential up front.
The decision, say the sources, on whether to give the even faster model the green light depends on market reception to the run-of-the-mill Focus RS.
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As it now stands, Ford’s current PowerShift dual-clutch transmission isn’t rated to handle the torque output of the RS (or less powerful Focus ST), so will need a thorough re-work to be brought up to task.
