Ford Focus RS Confirmed as Hatchback Only, No Estate or Saloon Planned
Ford has confirmed the new Focus RS will not be offered in estate or saloon forms, with the high-performance model to remain hatchback-only for its launch in 2015.
Ford has ruled out estate and saloon versions of the new Focus RS, confirming the high-performance model will be available exclusively as a hatchback when it arrives in 2015.
Speculation about additional body styles for the Focus RS had circulated since the car’s unveiling, with some expecting a wagon or even a four-door saloon variant to follow. However, a Ford representative confirmed there are no plans for either. The company already offers the Focus ST estate, available with both petrol and diesel engines, and is not looking to duplicate that format for the RS. The ST wagon is set to go on sale in early 2015, including a new diesel option.
Focus RS technical details
The new Focus RS stands out visually with a more aggressive body kit and, for the first time in the model’s history, an all-wheel drive system. This marks a departure from previous generations, which stuck with front-wheel drive. Ford has borrowed the 2.3-litre EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the Mustang, tuning it for RS duty. The engine is rated at 315hp (235kW), though full performance figures have yet to be released.
Ford’s decision to keep the RS as a hatchback reflects both market demand and the company’s existing line-up. The ST estate already caters to buyers seeking performance with added practicality, while the RS is positioned as the brand’s flagship hot hatch. There are no official plans for a Focus RS estate or saloon, and Ford has made clear it will not revisit the decision for this generation.
How it compares to other performance Focus models
The Focus RS will sit above the Focus ST in Ford’s performance range. The ST is available as both a hatchback and estate, with petrol and diesel options. The RS, by contrast, is focused on delivering maximum performance in a single, hatchback-only format. For more on the Focus ST, see Ford Focus ST confirmed for LA Auto Show debut.
- Focus RS: hatchback only, 2.3-litre EcoBoost, AWD, 315hp (claimed)
- Focus ST: hatchback and estate, petrol and diesel, FWD
Further details on pricing, full specifications and UK availability are expected at the Geneva Motor Show. For now, buyers seeking an RS-badged Focus will need to opt for the hatchback. Ford’s position on body styles is clear: the RS will not be built as an estate or saloon this generation.
