Details of Ford’s plans have started to appear a good month early of the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and even the tiny confirmations are certainly hinting towards an impressive showing. Here’s what is known so far:
1. There is a new performance group within Ford. Christened “Ford Performance”, the new group is going to combine the separate groups that currently exist (Ford Racing, SVT and Team RS) into a one-stop shop for both track and street performance and parts. Ford Performance will be headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina and will spend their time developing the kinds of goodies that make us salivate.
![Ford-Focus-RS500_thumb[1]](https://bangshift.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Ford-Focus-RS500_thumb1.jpg)
2. The Focus RS has been officially confirmed for the U.S. market. While details are still sketchy (there’s still no true confirmation on whether or not it will be all-wheel-drive or not), it’s safe to say that Ford’s mid-size hatchback will be a sociopathic little beast. The last version of the Focus RS, which was a Euro-only deal, was a 305hp hot hatch with a severe attitude issue. While that would be impressive enough, there is speculation that Ford will have to have a power level at or near 340hp to be competitive.
Two tasty little bites of information, one entire feast yet to go. Ford has said that they are unveiling a 12-vehicle group of performance vehicles that will fill in between now and 2020. Certain vehicles, like the Shelby GT350 and GT350R, Fiesta ST, Focus ST, and Raptor are given to fall into the Ford Performance arena. Other vehicles are up to speculation at this point, including the rumored LeMans-destined secret-squirrel project that will undoubtedly become the centerpiece of this group if it does exist.
Let’s hope the North American Focus RS isn’t an ugly 5 door like the Fiesta ST they stuck us with, while the rest of the world got a 3 door.
OK. They got their performance group. Now are they going to finally come up with a V8 rear wheel drive performance sedan?
The second they do, I’ll be in line for it. I’d love to see a Lincoln performance sedan with the new 5.2l.
The name is none too imaginative. But maybe they will finally deliver on the Fusion SVT/SHO/RS/ST that they have been hinting at for years. And a Raptor based off the new F-150 oughta be sweet