Ford Plans Ultra-Powerful Focus RS Model

As far as OEMs go, only Chrysler Group's Dodge division offers a warranty-backed model that produces power and

The RS will sport all-wheel drive for increased car control on all, but especially poor road surfaces.

torque figures in this lofty range, and than not an off-the-rack item - the SRT-4 enhanced with a Mopar supplied stage-three turbo kit.

As is the case with all top-level WRC cars, the RS will sport all-wheel drive for increased car control on all, but especially poor road surfaces.

The all-wheel drive system will come from Haldex, the Swedish parts supplier that not only adds an uncanny level of traction to all-wheel drive versions of the new Ford Five Hundred sedan and Freestyle crossover, but also Volvo's lineup of sporty premium vehicles.

But, based on a report by Britain's Autocar magazine, its all-wheel drive system isn't the Focus RS's only tie to Volvo. Rather, the 3.0-litre six-cylinder will be sourced from the Ford-owned Swedish automaker as well. The 24-valve engine, which incorporates an aluminum

The 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine found in the new Focus will be sourced from Swedish automaker Volvo.

block contributing to a low 180 kg overall weight, is expected to come in two displacement and three levels of tune.

First will be a naturally aspirated 3.2-litre version with variable cam timing for inlet valves only, making a base SRT-4 fighting 235-horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 236 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm. Next in line will be a 3.0-litre, low-pressure turbocharged six with variable cam timing on all valves, producing 285-horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Last on the list will be a 3.0-litre high-pressure turbocharged six-cylinder, as previously mentioned, with variable cam timing on all valves. It will produce 350-horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.