Ford Focus RS500 Might Ultimately Not Be Approved For Production

Back in June, spy photographs of an alleged Ford Focus RS500 prototype surfaced, igniting hopes that a hot hatch with even more performance than the ultra-capable Ford Focus RS might soon be inbound.

But according to a recent piece by UK website Autocar, a Ford Focus RS500 mightn’t arrive at all; the outlet reports that one of its sources said the Focus RS500 is “not genuinely green-lighted” yet, even though “the desire exists to have a star in the RS and ST range.” This suggests that the engineering hoons at Ford Performance are perhaps working on the special, higher-tier RS model even before the business case has been effectively built.

For now, details remain scarce, though Autocar points out that should the new Focus RS500 receive the same 15-percent power boost over the RS as the Mk II model had, we could be looking at a beastly, 396-bhp hatchback. There’s no concrete evidence that Ford is chasing such a lofty figure, but the Focus RS500 prototype’s vented hood at least hints at something a little more potent. An earlier report from AutoGuide also suggested that carbon fiber and aluminum could help shave as much as 100 kg (220 pounds) from the Focus RS’ curb weight.

All that, plus the possibility of a limited-slip front differential, could mean superb performance from the new Ford Focus RS500 – if it is ever indeed built. We’d expect the alleged, forthcoming RS500 to cost in the neighborhood of $50k or more (US), with no more than 500 units being distributed globally.