2015 Focus RS engine possibility

[SVT666]

By Mark Kleis


With sales of Ford?s all-new 2012 Focus well underway around the world, and the mid-level Ford Focus ST nearing production, we must now turn our attention to the range-topping Focus RS thanks to some new information about Ford?s hottest hatch.

Just about any automotive enthusiast can attest to the entertainment value of Top Gear (U.K.), but every now and again the blokes across the Atlantic also dig up some rather juicy details: like news of a new 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine destined for the next-gen Focus RS sometime in 2014 (as a 2015 model year).

According to the folks from the BBC show, an inside source that is ?intimately connected with Team RS? said that Ford will likely ditch the thirsty 2.5-liter, five-cylinder, turbocharged powerplant from the last-gen Focus RS in favor of a more efficient powerplant, most likely a 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine producing around 320 horsepower. That same engine is reportedly being developed for use in the next-gen Ford Mustang as well, likely arriving in either special SVO flavor and tuned for economy over power.

Because one of the most defining characteristics of the outgoing RS was its unique exhaust note, Ford may (emphasis on ?may?) borrow some of noise cancellation technology from the new Mondeo and create some form of artificially enhanced sound. In all likelihood, this will most likely end up being nixed for a less expensive, less complex and more enthusiast-friendly solution based on the exhaust system itself.

You can also expect the return of the renowned Ford RevoKnckle system for the next RS, aimed at minimizing the effects of torque steer coming from the 300+ horsepower, front-wheel drive powertrain.

For you Americans out there, expect this RS to be the first to come state-side ? making it the most exciting performance Focus since the Ford Focus SVT from two generations ago. Unless Ford reveals a three-door hatchback between now and 2014, there is a strong chance the next RS will also become the first to arrive in five-door hatchback form, rather than the three-door form it has in the past.

[Xer0]

A 320hp Turbo 4 in the Mustang sounds pretty awesome.

[FoMoJo]

Just when we thought the fun was over .

[S204STi]

Too bad they had to go down the unthusiast route and offer a powerful engine.  I mean, real enthusiasts enjoy wringing out a squirrel-cage for all it's worth every time they want decent acceleration.

[Xer0]

Too bad they had to go down the unthusiast route and offer a powerful engine.  I mean, real enthusiasts enjoy wringing out a squirrel-cage for all it's worth every time they want decent acceleration.

Even worse, they attatched it to a heavy car.  Real enthusiasts don't drive boats.

[r0tor]

I want an I5...

[SVT666]

Even worse, they attatched it to a heavy car.  Real enthusiasts don't drive boats.

2800 lbs is a boat?

[Eye of the Tiger]

Too bad they had to go down the unthusiast route and offer a powerful engine.  I mean, real enthusiasts enjoy wringing out a squirrel-cage for all it's worth every time they want decent acceleration.

Yeah, like Accent!

I am feeling more enthusiastic about the SVO.

[sportyaccordy]

2800 lbs is a boat?

You're missing the really bad joke. I don't blame you.

A 4 banger Rustang def has a nice ring to it, especially in these tough economic times. Def makes more sense as a base engine.

[Onslaught]

4 banger Mustang? NO, no no no no no. WTF is wrong with you people?

[Eye of the Tiger]

4 banger Mustang? NO, no no no no no. WTF is wrong with you people?

SVO!

[sportyaccordy]

What's wrong with it? They're not gonna kill the GT.

[SVT666]

4 banger Mustang? NO, no no no no no. WTF is wrong with you people?

SVO

[sportyaccordy]

With the metric wheels...

[Xer0]

2800 lbs is a boat?

You're missing the really bad joke. I don't blame you.

Pretty much 

[Onslaught]

SVO

Not the worlds biggest fan of any of those Mustangs.

[SVT666]

Me neither.  I really don't like the idea of a turbo 4 Mustang.

[Raza]

Me neither.  I really don't like the idea of a turbo 4 Mustang.

Wasn't the SVO faster than the GT?

[SVT666]

Wasn't the SVO faster than the GT?

It was on par IIRC, but it doesn't sound like a Mustang should.

[MX793]

Wasn't the SVO faster than the GT?

Straight line was pretty close.  IIRC, the old SVO motor had pretty bad turbo lag (I've heard this from multiple people who had driven cars with that turbo 2.3) and a pretty narrow powerband, so no sooner were you in the power, you had to shift.  The SVO was really more of a road-course type of car in the same vein as the Shelby GT350 and Boss 302 before it.  The suspension was more sophisticated than the GT (came with specially tuned Koni suspension bits and the quad shock rear suspension that was not used on other Mustangs of that time), 4-wheel disc brakes (GTs of those years still had drums in back), pedals that were laid out specifically for heel-toe shifting, and IIRC they came with Recaro sport buckets.

[sportyaccordy]

It was on par IIRC, but it doesn't sound like a Mustang should.

Neither do any of the non-V8 Stangs. They're not looking to replace the V8 (or even the V6, though as good as it is I think a 4 makes more sense)

[SVT666]

Neither do any of the non-V8 Stangs. They're not looking to replace the V8 (or even the V6, though as good as it is I think a 4 makes more sense)

The V6 does have a growl to the exhaust, but no 4 banger will ever sound like a Mustang should.  BTW, how does the Turbo 4 make more sense?

[sportyaccordy]

Turbo 4 will be much more economical to run, and a little lighter (plus have a lower moment of inertia) at the nose. V6 sounds like a 350Z uncorked.

[Eye of the Tiger]

SVO's sound like SVO's should. V8's are for stupid rednecks :P

[MX793]

The V6 does have a growl to the exhaust, but no 4 banger will ever sound like a Mustang should.  BTW, how does the Turbo 4 make more sense?

The V6 has a nice howl to it (I think it sounds a shade better than the big-bore VQs), but I'm not sure it really "sounds like a Mustang should".  The sound is more befitting something Japanese or European, IMO.

[MexicoCityM3]

The RS sounded fantastic. It was available here and I've been pn the track with them. There is an active Focus SVT/RS club here. We got the previous gen euro versions of both. The RS in particular is sick.

I once was at a track session with a few SVTs in a friend 135i. i was driving. I could stay ahead of the SVTs but barely and couldn't catch the RSs.

[SVT666]

The V6 has a nice howl to it (I think it sounds a shade better than the big-bore VQs), but I'm not sure it really "sounds like a Mustang should".  The sound is more befitting something Japanese or European, IMO.

I never said it does, but at least it doesn't sound like a Honda.

[Soup DeVille]

Wasn't the SVO faster than the GT?

yes, but it was an incredibly slow GT.

[LonghornTX]

The SVO, as mentioned, was much more of a corner carver than a straight line car. A close friend had one for awhile and it was definitely ahead of its time (w/ regards to other Mustangs), but was not super quick and did suffer from bad lag (like most early turbo cars). The car definitely handled pretty good.

But, like others, I am a V8 Mustang kind of guy (I have two). Without it, I would buy another type of sports car, probably something smaller like a FR-S

[sportyaccordy]

I never said it does, but at least it doesn't sound like a Honda.

Neither would a turbo 4 pot. Your Focus is closer to a Honda than this proposed motor.