2015 Ford Focus RS to Arrive with Five Doors and 320 HP
Ford is preparing a new Focus RS for 2015, expected to feature a five-door body, front-wheel drive and a turbocharged 2.3-litre engine with 320 HP.
Ford is developing the next-generation Focus RS for a 2015 launch, with reports indicating the hot hatch will be offered exclusively as a five-door model and powered by a turbocharged 2.3-litre engine producing 320 HP.
Sources suggest the new Focus RS will not follow the three-door template of some previous performance Fords. Instead, the 2015 model is expected to be five-door only, reflecting the direction of the mainstream Focus range and aiming to broaden the car’s appeal. Ford has not confirmed the final specification, but the change would bring the RS in line with rivals like the Volkswagen Golf GTI, which are now all five-door as standard or at no extra cost.
Engine and performance details
The 2015 Focus RS is reported to use a turbocharged 2.3-litre direct injection engine. This unit is expected to deliver 320 HP, a substantial increase over the previous Focus RS, which used a 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine producing 305 HP. The new engine is also rumoured to be related to the EcoBoost family, with a de-tuned version set to appear in the 2014 Ford Mustang for some markets.
Despite the power increase, Ford is expected to retain front-wheel drive for the RS, rather than adding all-wheel drive. Sources claim that the extra weight and packaging issues of an all-wheel-drive system would not suit the lowered, performance-focused chassis of the new RS. This decision keeps the car lighter and potentially more affordable, but means the RS will continue to rely on chassis tuning and electronic aids to manage torque steer and traction.
Focus RS: body and market positioning
The five-door-only approach is a notable shift for the RS badge, which has previously appeared on three-door models. The strategy appears aimed at maximising practicality and sales volume, positioning the RS as a usable everyday performance car rather than a track-focused special. There are no current indications that an estate or saloon version is planned. For more on Ford’s hatchback-only approach, see Focus RS Confirmed as Hatchback Only, No Estate or Saloon Planned.
- Five-door hatchback only, no three-door, estate or saloon
- Turbocharged 2.3-litre engine, 320 HP
- Front-wheel drive, no all-wheel drive option
Ford has yet to officially confirm the new Focus RS as of February 2012. However, the performance hatch is widely expected to be revealed before the end of 2014, in line with the company’s usual product cycles. Further technical details, pricing and availability will depend on Ford’s final announcement.
The Focus RS continues to play a critical role in Ford’s performance line-up, offering a rival to hot hatches like the Volkswagen Golf R and Renault Mégane RS. The move to a five-door body and a more powerful engine marks a new chapter for the RS, bringing it closer to the heart of the compact performance market.
