It’s not a hybrid, just a combination.
Ford has pulled the plug in its U.S. cars, including the Focus sedan and its hot -RS sibling. The current Focus is still available in Europe so the Blue Oval could be joining the queue for the unannounced, yet to be announced, RS model. In a recent interview, Joe Hinrichs (Ford’s automotive president) suggested that this was the case.
Hinrichs suggested that a new Focus RS was on the horizon when he sat down with Autocar. Hinrichs also noted that the company might look into its electrified powertrains to improve performance. Hinrichs says, “The world is changing and we have new powertrain choices.” He said that hybridization was possible and suggested electrification.
Be careful not to jump the gun – a fully electric Focus RS is unlikely. Not at least not in the next few years. However, electrification may be an option for Focus moving forward. Hinrichs points out that finding the right buyers is the only problem.
He says that the Prius was the first vehicle to be marketed as a hybrid. Hybridization is a proven technology that consumers can trust. It’s not a science project, but a vehicle they already love with an efficient powertrain.
Ford already has two mild hybrid versions of the Focus or Fiesta in Europe, with plans for 2020. The 1.0-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder engine will be used in both cars. It is paired with a belt driven integrated starter/generator (BISG) and the Fiesta can return an estimated 48 MPG, while the Focus can get up to 50 MPG. Ford will also introduce mild-hybrid Transit and Transit Custom vans. An electrified Focus RS doesn’t seem so far-fetched.