Next Generation Focus RS Cancelled

[Franco Cozzo]

New report suggests Blue Oval has killed off plans for a new Focus RS due to emissions struggles

Plans to introduce a fourth-generation Ford Focus RS have been scrapped after engineers failed to find a high-performance powertrain that could meet tougher EU emissions, according to Caradisiac.

As carsales reported in February, Blue Oval bosses sent Ford Performance back to the drawing board in search of an ultra-low emission solution to power its white-hot hatch, with rumours suggesting it was re-engineering the 2020 Ford Escape PHEV hybrid powertrain.

Sadly for hot hatch fans, it appears those attempts have failed and the Focus RS project had been canne, says a source speaking to the French car mag.

The issue facing engineers was the introduction of European Union fleet emission targets that require a car-makers to lower their average fleet emissions to just 95g/km of CO2 or face huge fines.

The insider hinted that Ford engineers were successful in finding a plug-in powertrain that could deliver the 300kW-plus needed, but the cost of doing so was exorbitant for the small number of Focus RS vehicles sold globally.

https://www.carsales.com.au/editoria...KBpo4XEG9KB2A8

Death to the EU

[sixman]

I have a 2017 RS. It is the perfect counter-point to my Falcon, a real go-kart that loves corners.
Was thinking of trading it for a Mustang GT, but if its the last RS...

[In Focus]

Not over yet....

Ford Australia has dismissed overseas reports that its flagship hot hatch Focus RS will not be revived with the latest generation model.

French publication Caradisiac claimed yesterday the fourth-gen Focus RS – which has been reported to add a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to the outgoing generation’s 257kW and 470Nm 2.3-litre turbocharged four cylinder engine – had failed to meet 2021 European emissions standards even with hybrid technology.

“The latest generation of Focus ... will not be offered in a radical RS version,” the French news outlet said.

The new European standards require a fleet-average CO2 emission of 95g/km. For context, the outgoing third-generation Focus RS recorded 175g/km in European-specification as reported by AutoBlog.

However, Ford Australia remains confident emissions targets can be met, adding that it is too early to confirm the model’s future either way.

“It’s far too early to speculate on any future plans for RS,” a Ford spokesperson told CarAdvice.

“The ‘C2’ platform that underpins the new-generation Focus features an up-to-the-minute, highly-advanced technology-laden architecture.”

"[The platform] has enabled our Focus line-up a range of efficient powertrains."


Above and top of story: 2018 Ford Focus RS

There is no lack of investment in the C2 platform by Ford either, with the underpinnings used for its fourth-generation Focus and sportier Focus ST models, also set to feature in the upcoming plug-in hybrid Escape due later this year.

Ford Australia also pointed to the timing of previous generations of Focus which did not launch with an RS version – instead seeing the high performance model added to the lineup towards the end of each generation's life cycle.

CarAdvice understands that – if a fourth-generation Focus RS was to be offered – it would land sometime in 2024.

The fourth-generation Focus launched in Australia in 2018, accompanied by the sportier ST model earlier this year.

https://www.caradvice.com.au/843603/ford-focus-rs-axed/

[jpd80]

The USA not taking Focus and the RS. Extremely tight regs across Europe then consigned it to history.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by jpd80

The USA not taking Focus and the RS. Extremely tight regs across Europe then consigned it to history.

Short lived world car, was only available in Europe for a long time, came to Australia in limited numbers (circa 300) in LV/MK2.5 variant then the previous model and that's it, no more.

I wonder if Ford Performance will go back to being US Centric and the rest of us can GAGF?

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Short lived world car, was only available in Europe for a long time, came to Australia in limited numbers (circa 300) in LV/MK2.5 variant then the previous model and that's it, no more.

I wonder if Ford Performance will go back to being US Centric and the rest of us can GAGF?

Jim Hackett took $11 billion out of ICE budgets to fund electrification, mobility/connectivity and AVs.

Europe introducing 95grams CO2/km is a death sentence for ICE hot hatches, ushering in BEVs like Tesla 3.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Jim Hackett took $11 billion out of ICE budgets to fund electrification, mobility/connectivity and AVs.

Europe introducing 95grams CO2/km is a death sentence for ICE hot hatches, ushering in BEVs like Tesla 3.

Enjoy what we have lads, if you want serious ICE's in the future it will be supercars or the collection in your garage.

Progress/evolution is OK, but we are becoming dinosaurs.

Personally I have no issue with EV's in urban areas being legislated at some point.

A very quick end to the RS though if this is the case, so much history will start to fall off but then do the current generations care?

[PepeLePew]

Originally Posted by Polyal

A very quick end to the RS though if this is the case, so much history will start to fall off but then do the current generations care?

Especially in a few years time....everything is changing so rapidly it's a tough read of the crystal ball. Mk3 there are still random 'new' cars in scattered dealerships to be had.

[Cav]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Enjoy what we have lads, if you want serious ICE's in the future it will be supercars or the collection in your garage.

Progress/evolution is OK, but we are becoming dinosaurs.

Personally I have no issue with EV's in urban areas being legislated at some point.

A very quick end to the RS though if this is the case, so much history will start to fall off but then do the current generations care?

The WuFlu will cause a reset to people getting into electric cars because China has a near monopoly on lithium ion batteries, 65% of lithium reserves are in Bolivia and Chile, and most of the mines in these countries are owned by China.

Markets will refrain from dealing with China because of their antics over the virus.

They are too powerful and too dangerous to the West now.

China is fecked.

[chevypower]

It would go pretty well if it had the 3.0 V6 from the Explorer ST hooked to a DCT.

[Bossxr8]

Bugger. Was looking forward to seeing this in future.

Might just be the start though now. With manufacturers losing money hand over fist, low volume passion projects like this will be the first models they cancel. As well as stricter emissions regs.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Bugger. Was looking forward to seeing this in future.

Might just be the start though now. With manufacturers losing money hand over fist, low volume passion projects like this will be the first models they cancel. As well as stricter emissions regs.

Wonder if they'll push towards adoption of E85 globally, it works wonders to getting a modified 90s car past emissions tests if you want it legal and engineered

Surely its easier to bring E85 to the masses to get its lower C02 emissions than re-engineer platforms.

It'll buy them enough time to get their **** sorted for the transition, its a good stop gap.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Bugger. Was looking forward to seeing this in future.

Might just be the start though now. With manufacturers losing money hand over fist, low volume passion projects like this will be the first models they cancel. As well as stricter emissions regs.

Its another step towards cars becoming pure transportation, nit a symbol of freedom. I actually dont mind the notion of more EV's but I think we have hit a peak with the ICE's that will be available to the masses (guess its been a long time coming anyway).

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Its another step towards cars becoming pure transportation, nit a symbol of freedom. I actually dont mind the notion of more EV's but I think we have hit a peak with the ICE's that will be available to the masses (guess its been a long time coming anyway).

Cheap oil for a few years might dampen EV's take up. You'd have to drive a damn long way to make up the price difference between an ICE car and an EV, in terms of petrol savings.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Cheap oil for a few years might dampen EV's take up. You'd have to drive a damn long way to make up the price difference between an ICE car and an EV, in terms of petrol savings.

Purely based on emission and pollution EV's make sense in heavily populated areas; although perhaps there is another thread for that topic.

As mentioned this will be the tip of the iceberg.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Purely based on emission and pollution EV's make sense in heavily populated areas; although perhaps there is another thread for that topic.

As mentioned this will be the tip of the iceberg.

In Australia no. Not charging on fossil fuelled power. Even on green power they still contribute a hell of a lot more pollution during production than an ICE car, and take a lot of km driven to reach parity with a conventional ICE. That has been proven with numerous studies. The mining required for the precious metals required in EV's contributes a significant amount of CO2 before the cars even come off the end of the production line.

EV's are not the environmental lifesaver they are made out to be. Over the vehicles life they will be better than an ICE, but not from the get go like many assume.

[Poetic Justice]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Bugger. Was looking forward to seeing this in future.

Might just be the start though now. With manufacturers losing money hand over fist, low volume passion projects like this will be the first models they cancel. As well as stricter emissions regs.

And yet Toyota are wanting to develop the 'GR' side of the business with the new Yaris GR project, pending Corolla GR, Supra, new 86 coming etc.

Same with Hyundai wanting to build the N brand..

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Poetic Justice

And yet Toyota are wanting to develop the 'GR' side of the business with the new Yaris GR project, pending Corolla GR, Supra, new 86 coming etc.

Same with Hyundai wanting to build the N brand..

I don't know why they don't just upgrade the 2.3 from the last RS now, and ditch the hybrid part. It's still plenty fast enough.

They might be borderline with the new average emmisions regs though, and can't afford to have one model pumping the numbers up. Toyota can probably get away with it cause they have so many hybrids.