While it’s sad there won’t be a new Ford Focus RS, it seems apparent the Focus ST will stick around well into the future and could morph into a hybrid.
While recently speaking with Australian media during the local launch of the current Focus ST, Ford Performance Europe boss Stefan Muenzinger said European emissions regulations will force the company to consider electrification for its new flagship hot hatch.
Watch Also: Ford Finds Europe’s Best Driving Road In Portugal With Focus ST
“In Europe as you know there are significant CO2 constraints (and) legislation. Manufacturers must meet CO2 fleet consumption targets, which really puts tremendous pressure on (car manufacturers) as a fleet, to deliver on those targets. I think the answer is somewhat yes,” Muenzinger said to Car Advice. “If you do a fully conventional (Focus) RS type product with a CO2 above 200 grams (per kilometer), it just really, really hurts you for your fleet compliance. From a business proposition perspective, it really starts to have a negative impact just simply due to CO2 and (the) penalties associated with it.”
When asked specifically if the next-generation Ford Focus ST, which will probably land in five or six years, will be a hybrid, Muenzinger was unable to give a definitive answer but said electrification is definitely being considered.
“As you can imagine there are all sorts of studies ongoing, and I can’t give you any particular timeframe here, but we are looking at things. We are looking at what would customers like and what makes sense from a business perspective … but yeah (hybrid) is under consideration, absolutely.”
