SPYSHOTS: Ford Focus RS – next-gen 330 hp rocket

FocusRS 1

Fast Ford fans can finally rejoice – our trusty spies have snagged photos of this third-generation Ford Focus RS mule running around in the US, confirming that development of the unhinged pocket rocket is underway.

The prototype’s ST clothes (there’s even an ST badge on the tailgate) has been mutilated to fit and cool what is surely some serious hardware. At the front, there is a deeper lower air dam, feeding a stream of cool air to the enormous intercooler that peeks through the mesh. The ST’s central tailpipe has also been gutted, replaced by a pair of large exhaust tips.

Putting the power to the road are 19-inch wheels swiped from the Fusion, wrapped in 235/35 Michelin Pilot Super Sports. Behind the front rollers lie four-piston disc brakes, which our spies tell us could possibly be supplied by Brembo and are a world away from the single-piston stoppers fitted to the ST.

Rumoured to be under the bonnet is the Mustang’s 2.3 litre EcoBoost inline-four, fettled in this application to boost power from the pony car’s 305 hp to as much as 330 hp. Whether the next RS will get all-wheel drive or remain torturing those front wheels remains unknown, however.

Of course, if the RS does get four-wheel drive, it wouldn’t be able to challenge the new Renault Megane RS 275 Trophy-R and the next Honda Civic Type R for the Nürburgring front-wheel drive lap record, would it?

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • ahmadjohnson97 on Jun 18, 2014 at 12:05 pm

    Till now I haven’t seen ford focus st on the road. Quite underrated car I would say or maybe overpriced @rm208k which makes mazda 3 mps a better value for money to buy.

    I would prefer the upcoming focus rs to get all wheel drive, manual transmission and 4 doors for practicality so it can challenge cars like subaru wrx and Volkswagen golf r.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 7
    • nightfury on Jun 18, 2014 at 2:23 pm

      Where do u live? I live here in seremban, and i’ve seen some people using the focus st.. Maybe u juz seeing another same car that u’re using on the road… Ppfftt. =.=

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
      • Same L0r on Jun 18, 2014 at 5:13 pm

        The Ford is much more easier to be found compared to Suprima S on the road.

        Proton fanboys thought Preve/Suprima S are the “cars from heaven”. No wonder no one interested to buy them, because it is not made for human. LOL!!

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
    • Currently there’s a 30k++ rebate for 2013 year of make, so this makes the ST around 175k-ish…good buy and value for money for those who has always been wanting one but thinks it’s too pricey….

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • AVH (Member) on Jun 18, 2014 at 12:22 pm

    There’s not much lift on the rear wheels from the normal car as to indicate a transfer case at the rear. The previous focus RS barely copes with torque steer and understeer from ‘just’ 300hp ,it’s gonna be quite a sight with 30more horses. And the comperatively long wheel base of the Current Focus(5 door) could prove difficult to catch up with the usual shorter wheelbase of VWs and Renault in really tight corners, hallmark of all nifty FWD.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
  • Typing on Jun 18, 2014 at 12:31 pm

    Golf R crying hard

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • ST Man on Jun 18, 2014 at 12:54 pm

    Well, I drive Focus ST and there many on the road. They are just too fast to be seen.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 3
    • AVH (Member) on Jun 18, 2014 at 2:05 pm

      ….Or too easy to confuse between the normal S 5-door hatch and the ST.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 3
  • Denaihati on Jun 18, 2014 at 1:06 pm

    so much different from the ST, I think the price is also much higher.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • torque on Jun 18, 2014 at 3:04 pm

    Had driven both cars, previous RS and the current A45 AMG…previous RS with 400nm torque suffer a bit of torque steer despite its RevoKnuckle suspension system. Can’t say about this new one..let’s see if Ford could rectify it but my money is on the A45 AMG with its 4matic + the “firecracker” exhaust note sound…and I MEAN a lot of money! :p

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • hukaka on Jun 18, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    focus ST rm 178K 2013 stock.
    low demand,later resale value also low.
    donno how much will drop as seen the RS 265 will lost rm 100K in two years.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3
 

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