Ford confirms new generation Focus RS

Ford Confirms All-New Ford Focus RS; More Than 12 Vehicles Coming from New Global Team

• Ford is launching an all-new Focus RS - the ultimate performance version of the world's best-selling global nameplate
• Focus RS will be made available globally for first time
• Ford bringing more global performance vehicles to customers worldwide; more than 12 new performance vehicles through 2020 - including Focus RS - to be available globally

• Ford uniting regional performance engineering and racing teams as one global team under Ford Performance, delivering more new vehicles and parts, sooner

PRETORIA, South Africa, Dec. 11, 2014 - Ford today confirmed it will be launching an all-new Focus RS - the ultimate performance version of the world's best-selling global nameplate.* The company announced that the all-new RS will be made available to customers in major markets around the world for the first time.

Ford also announced that the all-new Focus RS is one of more than 12 new performance vehicles coming for global enthusiasts through 2020. This is part of the company's plan to deliver more performance vehicles, parts and accessories for customers around the world - more quickly - through a new global Ford Performance team.

"Ford remains committed to innovation through performance," says Raj Nair, Ford's group vice president, Global Product Development. "Through our global Ford Performance team that ties together racing, performance vehicles, and parts, we can more quickly bring to market products and accessories that meet the needs of customers around the world on-road and on the track."

Focus RS, which builds on a pedigree of driving excellence dating back to the first Ford RS in 1968, was last introduced in 2009.

"To earn the RS badge, the vehicle has to be a no-compromise driver's car that can deliver exceptional performance on the track when required while providing excellent every day driving," Nair said.

In addition to pleasing enthusiasts, vehicles such as Focus RS help deliver the company's One Ford plan for profitable growth, product excellence and innovation in every part of its business. Performance vehicle sales are growing around the world - with sales in Europe and the U.S. up by 14 percent and 70 percent respectively, since 2009.

Powering performance vehicles, such as the Fiesta ST and Focus ST, is Ford's award-winning EcoBoost engine range. Since the introduction of the EcoBoost engine in 2009, Ford has produced more than 2 million EcoBoost engines globally.

"EcoBoost is a strong example of how we are migrating technology and engineering across our line-up, ensuring our vehicles are fun to drive - not just our Ford Performance line-up," Nair said. "From our most nimble Fiesta to our hard-working full-size pickups and racing vehicles, our line-up benefits from the innovations we deliver at the track and at the limit."

New global team

The new Ford Performance organisation unifies Team RS, Ford SVT, and Ford Racing globally, serving as an innovation laboratory and test-bed to create unique performance vehicles, parts, accessories and experiences for customers.

This includes developing innovations and technologies in aerodynamics, light-weighting, electronics, powertrain performance and fuel efficiency that can be applied more broadly to Ford's product portfolio.

In addition to race tracks around the world, the team also will develop new vehicles and technologies at Ford's engineering centres globally and at a new technical centre in Charlotte, North Carolina. This state-of-the-art facility helps the team deliver racing innovations as well as advancing tools for use in performance vehicles and daily drivers alike.

The Ford Performance organization is led by Dave Pericak, who has been appointed director, Global Ford Performance.

Heritage of Performance Innovation

Performance and racing are deeply embedded in Ford's DNA, dating back 113 years ago when Henry Ford won the Sweepstakes Race against Alexander Winton - then America's greatest racer.

Following a remarkable upset victory in front of Detroit's business elite, some of whom immediately came forward to back whatever automotive venture Henry had in mind, Ford Motor Company opened 18 months later.

"Ford still races for the same reasons Henry Ford did in 1901 - to prove out our products and technologies against the very best in the world," Nair said. "The Ford Performance team will continue to pursue performance innovation, ensuring we can deliver even more coveted performance cars, utilities and trucks to customers around the world."

Rendering courtesy of www.autocar.co.uk