It's official! The Focus RS will have AWD & 320 HP!

According to the official Ford release today, the 2016 Focus RS will have an electronicaly enhanced AWD system routed through a 6 speed manual gear-box. It will produce 320HP via the 2.3L turbo unit found in the Mustang. The Euro-domestic market RS of just a few years ago was a legend in its own right, until today...

Don't be late for the debut of the 2016 Focus RS...

See it unveiled at the link below tomorrow at 7:45AM Eastern!!!

The All New Focus RS

No Focus RS at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, NAISA

Everyone and their mother said that the 2016 Focus RS would debut at this years NAISA along wit the new GT, the GT350 and the new Raptor. The only one missing was the only one that I would consider purchasing. What bothers me is that no one seems to be talking about the fact that it was missing. Ford promised one so I will continue to save my pennies. If they were trying to create more buzz and a bit of angst before they drop the curtain on it, for me, it is working...

An American Focus RS?!?! Oh let it be SO!!!

We knew about the new RS due out next year in Europe but it is being said that a limited number will find their way to the US as well. There is still debate about if it will be a FWD or AWD unit and the final number on HP output is still up in the air but the fact that Ford thinks us worthy enough to ponder the thought means that our incessant bitching is paying off. Way to go, everyone with a brain!

This message is to Ford Motor Company, USA:

Ford,

If you make this an AWD car, I will place an order immediately... No I don't really care how much it costs. Where do I sign up?

2016 Focus RS under testing at Nurburgring

This is one of two test mules seen at the track in the last few months. I am still on the fence as to if this is a diesel or not. The tone is very low and I am not sure how I feel about it...

I'm not saying that this is the case, but how would you feel about a diesel being the only option in the 2016 Focus RS?

Finally, The RS Badge Returns Astride the 2016 Focus RS!

The rumors are true. The Focus RS received the green light and this time, the US gets a crack at a true contender. Depending on who you ask, it will either have an electrically controlled FWD trans or an all new, state of the art AWD system with torque vectoring to each wheel. The prospects are strong towards the latter of these, according to insiders. It will make somewhere between 305hp & 355hp with likelyhood being more towards the higher end of that range, thanks to a new, twin-scroll turbo bolted to it's 2.3L I4. My belief is that the new RS will be an AWD because it simply must be to qualify it as true lineage to the great rally cars that also wore the badge. The last iteration of the RS was a good car but without all of that power going to all 4 wheels, it was not a great car. It is simple math: tons of HP to 2 wheels VS. tons of HP to 4 wheels... Ford, here is another equation for you. RS + AWD = +Me.  RS - AWD = -Me.   I'm sure plenty of people would buy a FWD Focus RS, but this being the first impression many North Americans will have of the famed RS, why not make it one they will not soon forget?