Fans of the Ford Focus RS will have to wait an unspecified amount of time for an all-new model, despite the fact that the hardcore version was supposed to launch in 2015.
Ford of Europe boss Stephen Odell said the launch of a new Focus RS remains some way off. “There’s nothing to talk about. It’s great that we have a proud past with RS, and it’s clear it has acted as a halo product and a way of linking to our racing programmes, but for now there is nothing to say,” Odell told Autocar.
Initially, the new Focus RS was confirmed for 2015, with Ford’s marketing people seeing it as a complementary product to the all-new Ford Mustang, which goes on sale this year in Europe. However, it appears that Ford bosses were afraid that that the launch of a new Focus RS would cannibalize sales of both the Mustang and the Focus ST (pictured), despite the fact that customer panels have proven this theory wrong.
The future Focus RS is expected to use Ford’s new 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, upgraded to around 330hp. The same engine is also offered in the Mustang.
Odell also talked about the new Mondeo, confirming that the model would finally launch in Europe late this year after three years of rather embarrassing delays. A more upscale Vignale model will add to the Mondeo lineup in 2015. “We don’t expect Vignale to allow us to take customers off BMW, but it will put us on more consideration lists,” Odell explained.
By Dan Mihalascu
Note: Ford Focus ST pictured
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