Ford Focus RS replacement could feature hybrid power

By Matt Brogan | February 05th, 2010

Following news last month that Ford will soon release its next-generation Focus, comes a report from UK publication Auto Express this morning that Ford engineers have reportedly turned their environmental attention to the next-generation RS high-performance version of the global car.

According to the report, the new Ford Focus RS will be met with a green tinge that could see a petrol-electric hybrid offering under the bonnet.

It is reported that the car will feature a version of Ford’s 2.0-litre direct injection EcoBoost engine to drive the front wheels, with an electric motor driving the rear - essentially giving the Focus RS an all-wheel drive system.

Early estimates put the total power output of the Ford Focus RS at around 224kW, which should be enough to see 0-100km/h times around the five second mark and a top speed of 250km/h. Fuel consumption figures are likely to be just as impressive with numbers around the 5.8L/100km speculated.

The new Ford Focus RS is expected to hit the roads in early 2013.

Simon

Desirable hot hatch no doubt. Also of little doubt would be the premium consumers will pay when/if it hits our shores. Would be very nice though. The reported build quality is great and it’s a handsome hatch.
Tony M

This is the sort of design I can see being used in the replacement Falcon in 2015. Eco boost engine up front driving the front wheels with electric engines in the rear driving the rear wheels, ala 4 wheel drive. As with the new RS Focus, the electric engines will balance the weight of the vehicle from front to back.
The world does move on.
noj

I`m in no way a Ford fan but I do like the look of this Focus and if what they are saying is true about build quality, well its about time. So if we start importing the Taurus as the Falcon replacement do we get the same lemon rules as America?

OzeWander

I dont recall hearing too many bad words up to this point about the build quality of imported Fords in Australia?

noj

I was referring to the local stuff in regards to poor quality.

Michael

What quality issues are there?? whos saying this oh thats right the people who bought Toyotas and Hondas – now there two quality brands thats for sure… never a problem in those fine vehicles… get a grip on reality australian products are not inferior these comments demonstrate a stereotype built upon myths of those that have never owned australian vehicles – thats you choice…

birdie

i keep hearing all this garbage about the falcon being replaced , it will sharing the next platform with the mustang from 2016. all this media bashing about the falcon being dead is a load of crap, again the media jumping the mark once again . i am pritty sure the media will be happy when there is no auto industry left in this country ; sorry abit off topic

Shak

if you actually read those reports. They say it will be the end of the fully Aussie Falcon, as the new one will just be a mustang with four doors(not that there’s anything wrong with that).

birdie

i know that ,but with a lot of aussie development, but i would not say its just a mustang with 4 doors

adam (aka mada)

Couldn’t agree more Birdie, it’s almost as if we like to sabotage our own industries.

When all things are considered the VE, FG and even aurion/camry turn a darn good profit even though local sales volumes are rather tiny compared to global markets.

I’m shocked they can even make the sums add up at times…

noj

No they don`t make a darn good profit.

Shak

yes they do. its just that the other cars in the locals line ups dont make as much money, and so they dont end up making a profit as a company.

birdie

adam (aka mada) says: it’s almost as if we like to sabotage our own industries ; SPOT ON

Bob

I dont recall hearing too many bad words up to this point about the build quality of local Fords in Australia?

noj

Maybe with the new one they don`t but with the BA- BF there were quite a few, the paint for one and not to mention the rust with the Territory. But have a look around you will find plenty of complaints. Here is hoping for the many buyers of the current model they have it sorted.

Michael

Get real… I find this mostly heresay i can find lots of things on other makes of cars build quality, faults etc…

noj

Oh yeah on a Ford Forum, get real.

Michael

Yeah thats right you have clearly no bias what so ever – good for you! so you dont like australias fords good for you.. your steorotypical opinions however are not needed you represent heresay as fact… which is wrong.. just as i could say BMW engines are no good for australias temperatures because they are designed in europe… utter urban myth just as the myth that australian vehicles are not world class…
noj

Just search for yourself Michael, I am certain you will find plenty of complaints. Your an idiot if you think that they don`t have any issues.
The Real Car Fanatic

Noj is right you know, just last year 20,864 BF series and FG E gas falcons were recalled due to vacuum leaks in the brake booster valve. On top of that Ford territories between 2004 and 2008 were recalled due to a front brake hose leak!
Andrew M

Yet those numbers are still slim in comparison to other makes, particularly its rivals
Michael

You will find many complaints about any vehicle if you look.. and i’m the idiot no car is perfect… I find these questions about australian cars quality most frustrating because it is all just stereotype that is made by.. Australians… find me any car without a fault…

adam (aka mada)

FG’s build quality matches locally built camry/aurion, the people that don’t believe that simply don’t see or work with cars daily.
perception doesn’t match reality 80% of the time.

I wasn’t too keen on the frontal design of the new focus however its a design which is growing on me and i think looks much more appealing in the flesh compared to pics.
I’m very curious to see how this focus performes, being a global engineering effort promises good things to come.

The Realist

I totally understand your comment about perception, I mean, the big mac brigade still think the Falcon is produced by an Australian company.

Joker

And I think you will find an even bigger majority who think The Commodore is produced by an Australian company because their name is “Holden” not GM or Chevrolet. Then the one’s who think their Commodore is a Chev rebadge it.
Ford Australia is a Subsidiary of Ford US. I don’t think they hide it as much as Holden try to make out they’re Australian.
birdie

what ; and holdens are produced by an australian company , locally produced ,yes,locally owned, no .there never has been a 100% australian owned car company big shame really

Lynchy

The build quality complaint is a myth, people who support the red corner bag out on the blue corner and vice versa, in the last decade though those who buy Toyota, Honda and the Euros have jumped on the bandwagon,there’s now a perception that Australian cars are inferior which just isn’t the case. Every car company has bad vehicles, I don’t think Toyotas reputation will be as polished after this ‘pedal’ debacle but it happens to them all.

Personally I’ve got BF F6 and the build quality is fantastic, no paint dramas, no rust, no squeaks or rattles, all backed by a super smooth drive line and one of the best 6 speed autos getting around, but I’m shore there are people that haven’t been so lucky.

Anyway the next Focus RS will be a winner if they deliver on that promise. The true test will be if Australia actually gets it, if not then I guess the global car idea only applies to the cheaper models.

The Realist

Compare an FG to a 10 year old Lexus and you’ll find the Lexus is better built.

Considering the tax payer dollars pumped into Ford I’d want something a little better.

Spetty

Still an idiot i see Realist.Move to another country if you dont like it here.

The Realist

I wouldn’t be surprised if you were part of the “I grew here you flew here” brigade.

Spetty

Like i said,still an idiot.And no,not part of that brigage as you say.

adam (aka mada)

+ two for an idiot.

In that case a 10 year old lexus would be superior to the current aurion/camry for built quality.

Please tell us all what countries don’t offer all auto companies incentives to built/produce or continue to produce in thier backyards.
If you’re such a realist you would already know that…

The Realist

You’ll find those companies actually make profits. When will 100% American owned GMH and FA make a profit in Oz next? This lifetime?

Name calling eh? Not much more to be expected from a pleb who thinks the FG Falcon is hot stuff.

How many cars did Ford export again?

Muse

… you just bagged a person for name calling then came up with ‘Pleb’ -
Not much more to be expected from a self-righteous bigot who spends all day fighting with people from behind a computer screen. Your mother must be so proud.

Captain Nemo

The Realist

So does your dislike of taxpayers money being used only extend to the car industry in particular Ford/Holden does it include Toyota??

Or does it extend to ALL industries & manufacturing for example farmers who get government handouts. Would you prefer farmers went broke and your vegies came from some 3rd world toilet in asia grown in human $h!t.

You see all governments help their industries too not just here in Oz

Shak

So when Ford does a global platform car ala Cruze to Focus, no one says anything even though it is built in South Africa, but when Holden imports one that is built in Korea, they have sold their Aussie-ness. C’mon people, no manufacturer can survive with a full native line up.

Lynchy

Right you are Shak, but I think most people would look at say the Cruze and Focus comparison with the following perception, The Focus whilst it may be built in many different countries, South Africa being one, it was still predominately designed and tested by Fords European team (who have a decent reputation for quality) where as the Cruz whilst it may have had a lot of Holden input (I have no idea in that regard)was built in Korea where GMs other manufacturers (Daewoo)reside so people assume they’ve completely designed and developed the car (with limited funding)and Holden have just put their badge on it or Chevy have put theirs on it for the US, like our Barina/Captiva/Epica, doesn’t mean there not quality cars. If Ford owned a Korean manufacturer who was tasked with developing an all new small car for global release they would suffer the same stigma. It wasn’t long ago that Korean cars survived their warranty period and then imploded. I think the European Vaxuall/Opel Barinas and Astras had a pretty good reputation in OZ and people were sad to seem them swith to the Korean product although the Cruze is selling gangbusters now and whilst it hasn’t been reported as being much of a drivers car it seems to tick most boxes pretty well.
adam (aka mada)

The all new focus will not be built in South Africa like the current model.

Joker

BMW, Mercedes(?) & VW also build cars in South Africa.

Their doesnt seem to be a stigma associated with South Africa, well- no where near when compared to Korea.

Captain Nemo

Joker

Thats because the people that buy BMW & Mercs think they are still made in Germany.
And at no time during the sale do you think the salesperson will tell them they are shelling out $100k+ on an African car??.

Neli

Release date of around 2013 for the next Focus RS hey… so we might get it in 2015. Sweet, same year I pay off my MkII Focus RS.

No matter which country you get your car from there are bound to be issues crop up from time to time. The current RS is handbuilt and I’m missing at least 3 pieces off the interior (dust caps, carpet extension and a couple of hose clamps) but shmeh. Two 2007 Honda Accord Euros that I have both had to have a steering rack replaced due to a design fault. The wheel alignment on my German built XR4 was misaligned from factory and even Ford couldn’t fix it. Our 14 company SR5 Hilux utes got recalled due to a problem that could see the drive shaft disconnect… with the billions of cars sold when you factor in to them the number of issues there really aren’t that many.