Next Focus RS in 2015 with 'at least 320hp'

Sources within Ford have declared that the next generation Ford Focus RS is coming in 2015 with "at least 320bhp" according to an engineer working on the project. Ford has not signed off on the project yet, but the Team RS is already working on the car. 

Because Ford no longer owns Volvo, the five-cylinder in the previous car will go in favor of a new turbo 2.3 liter engine, which might also be used in the Mustang at some point. Ford is using active noise cancellation for the next Mondeo, and it could be a option on the new Focus RS as well. 

Front-wheel drive is almost assured for the Focus RS because Team RS considers all-wheel drive too heavy, too complex and it would add too much to the price of the already pricey Focus RS. To mitigate torque steer, it would likely use the RevoKnuckle system from the previous Focus RS. Similar systems are used on the Astra VXR and RenaultSport Megane, but both of those cars have significantly less power. Hopefully, the Team RS can find a way to manage torque steer effectively with so much power flowing to the front. 

There are still no plans for a three-door version of the current generation Focus. So the next Focus RS is almost sure to be a five-door. 

Pictured in the gallery is the next generation Focus ST.

Source: Top Gear