Rumors about a new generation Ford Focus RS have been circulating for quite some time now, but today, British magazine AutoExpress is offering new details on the company’s new sports hatchback. The next Focus RS will be powered by a newly developed 2.3-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine - also rumored to be used in the 2015 Mustang. This new engine will deliver a total of 350 horsepower - a 50-horsepower increase over the current model.
The engine will send its power to the front wheels, but will use an active limited-slip differential - E-diff - that will optimize traction in all driving situations. The model will be offered with a standard manual gearbox, but Ford is taking the development of a new dual-clutch automatic, using PowerShift technology under consideration. However, this kind of transmission is heavier and Ford needs to find a solution to adapt it to the RS model.
The new Focus RS is set to be released in early 2014 and will be priced at about £25,000 ($39,965 at the current exchange rates).
