AI slop is everywhere, and thanks to Google, there’s no way to avoid it being shoved in your face. The search engine’s Gemini-powered “AI Overview” may read like a credible sources, but even the AI assistant can’t tell what’s generative content and what’s real. That’s on full display when one punches in “2026 Ford Escort RS,” under which Gemini directly contradicts itself in its own overview.
Google’s AI leads with a disclaimer: “Ford Focus production will end in November 2025. Any information about a 2026 model may be speculative or refer to concept/design studies rather than a production vehicle.” However, with that out of the way, the AI overview completely flips the script, talking in absolutes like the 2026 Ford Escort RS is an inevitability.
Gemini thinks that the nonexistent 2026 Ford Escort RS is going to harness the turbocharged 2.3L EcoBoost I4 engine and a 48V mild hybrid system, and even expects it to produce around 400 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque. The AI overview says that the model is expected to utilize a seven-speed manual transmission, all-wheel-drive, torque vectoring, and a drift mode.
Meanwhile, it also states that the interior is expected to “blend sporty and luxurious elements with features like Recaro seats,” along with a digital instrument cluster, and a 13.2-inch touchscreen running “Sync 5.” Which doesn’t exist. There is no Sync 5, but there is the Ford Digital Experience, which we imagine is what Google meant.
But, with all that out of the way, Google checks itself again. “Any talk of a 2026 model should be taken with a grain of salt and likely refers to non-production-bound concepts or speculation,” it says.
If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. And don’t listen to anything that the AI overview throws at you. It thinks that the 2026 Ford Fusion is happening (it’s not). The chance to get a 2025 Ford Focus has already come and gone, too, as the order books finally closed not too long ago.
Comments
Besides the Mustang or its pick-ups, Ford is cancelling all its interesting models to produce crap, garbagge and atrocities instead.
About 2026 Focus RS. With 400hp,425tq, a 7 speed manual would be over kill and unnecessary. A 7 sp dual clutch would be just right
Ford made a monumental error canceling the Focus. I had 2, and everyone I know with a Focus thought very highly of the car. Ford sullied its reputation with the PowerShift automatic. If they’d just cut their losses and put in a regular 6-speed automatic with a torque converter they could have sold 250k a year with the cost of tooling and production well amortized. Instead they abdicated the market to Japan and Korea, who combined sell 500k+ compacts in the US every year. Plus, they have no entry point into the brand for new buyers. Chevy did the same but smartly introduced the Trax to give new buyers a taste of the brand. Dumb.