Ford of Europe has confirmed it will launch a top sporting RS model of the European Focus for launch in 2009.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


The new RS (for Rally Sport, a brand used on top sports European Ford models since the 1960s Escort) will be based on the current five-cylinder ST model and will be developed by Ford Team RS, a specialist team led by Jost Capito who becomes vehicle line director for Ford of Europe Performance Vehicles from 1 January.


“With two consecutive manufacturers’ world rally championship titles under our belt, the time is right to create a new Focus RS,” said Ford Europe president and CEO John Fleming.


A company statement was long on hype and short on details of the new model. It said, however, it would show a concept version in mid-2008.

Just Auto Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Auto Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Continental has secured the Window Displays Innovation Award in the 2025 Just Auto Excellence Awards for its Window Projection solution, transforming side windows into dynamic, data-rich canvases. Discover how this compact projection technology and intelligent software are reshaping in-car UX and opening fresh revenue streams for OEMs and mobility providers.

Discover the Impact