Ford left some gaping holes in the story when it unveiled the Focus RS at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year – starting with the number of ponies it planned to pack under the hood.
Sure, something “well in excess of 315 horsepower” got our attention. But we stood up and took notice when we received word today that the precise number will be 345 horsepower – and 324 pound-feet of torque. Oh, and did we mention that the turbocharged EcoBoost engine will be capable of bumping that up to 347 lb-ft for 15 seconds at a time?
That should make for an interesting launch at the stoplight or a great run down the straights for anyone who might have the chance to log some track time in the new Ford Focus RS.
For those who haven’t kept track, the hot hatch is one of a dozen new performance models Ford has committed to bringing to market through 2020. It’s even created a new division specifically to oversee that effort, the Global Performance unit, bringing together North America’s Specialty Vehicle Team and Europe’s Team RS. Behind the wheel is Dave Pericak, who served as chief engineer on the Ford latest Mustang project.
(Ford bringing new Focus RS to U.S. for the first time. For more, Click Here.)
Mustang and Focus RS just happen to share the same new 2.3-liter verson of the EcoBoost. Make that the same basic inline-four. But the global hatchback gets a number of powertrain upgrades, including a larger twin-scroll turbocharger, an upgrade to its intake system, and a new radiator, Ford stressing that engine cooling “has been given the highest priority.”
Ford claims it has banished that dreaded turbo lag, full torque available by 2,000 RPMs with the twin-scroll design.
Meanwhile, all that power will be delivered to all four wheels for the first time in any version of the Focus RS. That’s turning into a trend among competitors in this segment, (never mind more and more performance machines in just about every category, Mercedes-Benz planning to use a modified 4Matic system on virtually all future AMG models).
(Click Here for details about early details about Focus RS.)
“This very special 2.3-liter EcoBoost unit will inspire drivers as they feel the surge of the turbo, and reward them as they take it to the red line – all delivered with a visceral sound guaranteed to put a smile on your face,” Pericak said.
Ford still isn’t showing all its cards. It isn’t talking zero-to-60 times or top speed yet, but it should pose a significant challenge to competitors such as the 306-hp Honda Civic Type R, 292-hp Volkswagen Golf R – or even the BMW M235i at 320-hp.
Only a handful of luxury performance models in this class can deliver more ponies to the pavement: the 355-hp Mercedes-AMG A45/CLA45 siblings, and the 362-hp Audi RS3.
(To see more about Fields knocking down rumor about merger with FCA, Click Here.)
One other number we’ll have to wait for is price. Don’t expect to see that until closer to the official launch of the new Ford Focus RS early next year.
AWD is mandatory for this power level in a typical FWD chassis as FWD alone can’t put the power to the pavement. It would just spin it’s wheels, often just one wheel actually.
Except for the AMG A45 all of these turbo engines are in the same power per liter range, give or take. It will be interesting to see if they suffer the same wear issues that the previous Ford 2.3L and Mopar 2.2L/2.5L engines suffered. At these and higher power levels only the best quality engine components and top engine designs will survive high mileage use without significant wear issues.