Tuesday 14th June 2005

Ford suspends Focus RS project

Blue Oval defocused about 320bhp hatch. Shame...

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Ford unfocused

Remember the new Focus RS that we headlined on 2 June? Remember the promise of up to 350bhp and 332lb-ft of torque from a high-pressure turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine, driven through all four wheels -- more than the current BMW M3's 343bhp and 269lb-ft?

According to Autocar, Ford has slammed the brakes on the project. The magazine said it didn't know why but did confirm that the car was due to put out 320bhp.

We also don't know whether the suspension of the project is permanent or not. Sorry to have got your hopes up.

• Original story

[joephandango]

Knew it!!! Pah!! :(

[sumplug]

ford has now shot themselves in the foot.an icon model if ever i saw one!!

[gbw911]

The question is, was there any truth in the original article or was it just another lazy 'let's have a guess about what a new model of car xyz MIGHT look like IF it were to be made' article? There's usually one of these a week in Autocar, and although they're not the only offenders, they're getting worse. As I said, I think it's lazy journalism. Bet their paintshop guy who gets to style them is a happy bunny though, dreaming up ever fatter widearches and plonking new grilles on the last model - and getting paid for it. rant over.