Indy 500 Carb Day Practice To Franchitti; Dixon Takes IZOD Pit...

Volkswagen Golf R Cabrio Patent Photos Revealed

2013 Cadillac XTS Configurator Launched
BMW Zagato Coupe Unveiled At Villa d'Este

New Firestone Indy Lights Formula For 2014

Lotus F1 Tells Raikkonen, 'No Rally!'
Lotus CEO Dany Bahar Suspended For 'Conduct'

2013 Cadillac XTS: First Drive

Eric Clapton's Custom Ferrari SP12 EC Officially Unveiled

Ford nixes plans for new Focus RS

Ralph Hanson

Author

LATEST ARTICLE
Report: Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Back On Production Path
When General Motors' financial situation turned from serious to bankruptcy-bound, two of the first... Read More

N/ALEADERBOARD RANK
1799ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
0COMMENTS POSTED

1 912 views May 24, 2007

Ford nixes plans for new Focus RS

Enlarge Photo

Ford of Europe has apparently axed plans for the development of the sporty Focus RS hot-hatch because of concerns over carbon-dioxide emissions. The RS version of the facelifted Focus due next year was one of the most eagerly anticipated models in Ford’s Euro lineup, with some customers offering deposits up to 18 months in advance.

A spokesman from Ford, who spoke with AutoExpress, revealed that the prototype models seen testing in recent months were developed to test high-performance parts for other future products and that at no point was there ever a business case for an RS-badged Focus.

Initial predictions for the new RS claimed that it would feature a potent turbo motor pumping out more than 300bhp, with drive sent to all four wheels.

Other reasons for nixing the model was due to a lack of interest in markets outside of the UK but the source has not ruled out a potential RS version of the next-generation MkIII Focus that’s due in 2010.