Ford Focus RS – more hardcore version in the works?

A limited-run Ford Focus RS with even more power is said to be under consideration, according to Autocar UK report. Citing company insiders, Ford Performance is said to be monitoring the Ford Focus RS before going forward with the plan. Achieving greater outputs through weight reduction and drivetrain upgrades – it could also be more expensive than more premium-branded performance models.

It is said that the 345 hp 2.3 litre EcoBoost engine is already close to its peak, in terms of performance. In addition, there’s not much space left in the engine bay for additional cooling capacity, which is why Ford is looking elsewhere to achieve more power. Due to budget restraints, Ford had to forego weight-saving features that could have been featured in the standard RS.

Better power-to-weight ratio is now one of the main areas in which the hotter RS is said to be delving into. Lightweight additions (or deductions for that matter) include polycarbonate glazing, a carbon-fibre plastic body, forged aluminium suspension components, carbon-fibre brakes, less sound insulation and a stripped-out interior. In total, it is estimated to lose 100 kg compared to the standard model.

Mechanical upgrades, meanwhile, are said to range from an electronically-controlled limited slip differential for the front axle, that’s tuned to work with the rear drive unit. Insiders also revealed that the said limited slip differential has improved the hot hatch’s handling, and for that, it is being considered as a permanent fixture in the standard Focus RS.

Apart from that, a dual-clutch automatic transmission is also said to be one of the enhancements that will be in place of the six-speed manual – currently in the RS. Highly likely to be Ford’s Powershift transmission supplied by Getrag, odds are, that it will be a revised unit as the current dual-clutch unit is rated for engines with a peak torque of 450 Nm.

The beefed-up version is looking to outdo the century sprint times of the Mercedes-AMG A45 (4.2 seconds) and the Audi RS3 (4.3 seconds). As a benchmark, the Focus RS goes from 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. Interestingly, insiders confirmed that the standard Focus RS can closely match those two when fitted with 19-inch forged wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 semi-slicks.

GALLERY: Ford Focus RS at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

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