2015 Ford Focus RS leaked
First look at blue oval’s new hero hot hatch in a series of early images.
Ford's much-hyped Focus RS performance hatch has surfaced online just hours before its official global unveiling.
A series of leaked low-res images reveal the revised look of the flagship model, which is due to surface in Australian showrooms from next year sitting above the Focus ST. The RS was initially due to break cover during an official Ford launch in Cologne, Germany, but leaked images have instead surfaced across several automotive sites, including Jalopnik, ahead of time.
The photos depict a largely unchanged profile on the updated RS. Among the handful of exterior changes, Ford has applied its new front design language, as well as more aggressive flared guards and a more muscular rear end.
Inside, a more minimalist centre fascia eschews the current RS' button-festooned layout. There's also a flat-bottomed steering wheel and what appear to be leather sports seats.
What's not yet known is the Focus RS' official power outputs. There are reports the updated model will produce 240kW, courtesy of a 2.3-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost that sends power to all four wheels. One publication has suggested the updated model will sprint from nought to 100km/h in under five seconds.
Ford will lift the lid on the RS' finer details Wednesday morning Australian time.
A limited edition run of just 315 Focus RS models were distributed to Australia in 2010, priced from about $60,000 plus on-road costs. The 224kW/440Nm front-wheel drive predecessor was offered only in manual guise. Ford Australia is tipped to bring out the new model sometime around 2016. The rest of the Focus range will be overhauled this year.
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