Focus RS to be the last RS ever?

Enjoy the Focus RS while you can

The Ford Focus RS is a landmark performance car, but it's also set to be the last RS-badged Fast Ford ever

It’s the end of an era. We can reveal the new Ford Focus RS is likely to be the last model to wear the firm’s legendary performance badge.

The current financial crisis and future emissions laws mean developing such high performance petrol cars in future is no longer viable for the company.

The news will come as a shock to Britain’s fast Ford fans as it marks the end of a long line of Blue Oval high performance vehicles which started with the Escort RS1600 in 1970.

Read our review of the Ford Focus RS here.

A Ford insider told us: “The new Focus RS is pretty special, and not just because of its incredible performance, but because it’s likely to be the last car of this type you will see from Ford.”

He explained the economic downturn meant there was “absolutely no business case” for any new RS models at the moment and that this situation would probably never change.

That’s because once recovery begins all the firm’s focus will be on economical and eco-friendly vehicles such as hybrids and electric cars.

The insider added: “People should enjoy cars like the Focus RS while they can. It’s unlikely you will see driver focused high performance hatchbacks ever again.”