According to a recent rumor, the next generation of the Ford Focus RS will be a hybrid. The Ford Focus RS Hybrid is expected to be powered by a 2.0-litre Ecoboost petrol turbo engine developing around 250 hp that will drive the front wheels. The rear wheels of the Ford Focus RS Hybrid will be powered by an electric motor with a high torque output. This means the next generation Ford Focus RS Hybrid will also be all-wheel-drive.
The name of the future Ford Focus RS Hybrid has not been decided yet, but possibilities include XR, SVT and ST.
Senior sources inside ford are saying they have already started on putting together a powertrain for the new Ford Focus RS Hybrid.
However, the total output of the future generation Ford Focus RS Hybrid will have to be significantly higher than the current version. Another issue is that the Ford Focus RS Hybrid will have a battery pack so engineers must find a place to put it, and it will add to the car's weight.
Our sources believe the Ford Focus RS Hybrid will match the performance figures of the current RS500, but it will do it with less fuel and CO2 emissions.
Another possibility for the Ford Focus RS Hybrid powertrain is to use the unit from the current Ford Fusion which has a 2.5-liter engine and an electric motor that develop a total of 191 hp. Of course, the engineers will up the output in this powertrain before installing it into the Ford Focus RS Hybrid.
We'll have more details on the Ford Focus RS Hybrid as soon as they become available.
[Source: Autocar]
