The new Ford Focus RS is coming!

Good news! Ford has confirmed that it is working on an all-new Focus RS hot hatch.

It will form one of 12 new performance vehicles built for ‘global enthusiasts' by the year 2020, under the Blue Oval's new ‘Ford Performance' team.

Raj Nair, Ford group vice president of global product development, confirmed that the range-topping hot hatch will return "to customers in major markets around the world for the first time" - meaning everyone on planet earth will be able to access the RS.

Naturally, powertrain details at this stage haven't been revealed, but considering the current ST runs a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder packing 250bhp, we'd expect Ford to use the 2.3-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost engine as featured in the new Mustang (the last RS remember, used a 2.5-litre five-pot).

And because the new RS is entering a very different hot hatch landscape, a power output of at least 330bhp to 340bhp would be a safe bet. The Merc A45 AMG packs 360bhp from it's turbo'd four-pot, while the new Audi RS3 is expected to pack at least this much from it's 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine.

Ford has also promised that the new Focus RS will be a fighty bugger. "To earn the RS badge," explains Nair, "the vehicle has to be a no-compromise driver's car that can deliver exceptional performance on the track when required while providing excellent every day driving."

It'll most likely be front-wheel-drive, Ford no doubt utilising its experience from the last Focus RS's RevoKnuckle technology to somehow make the power a more manageable lump.

We will of course, bring you more as we get it, but the bigger picture stands like this: Ford's SVT, Team RS and Racing teams will unify under the Ford Performance team banner, to serve "as an innovation laboratory and test bed to create unique performance vehicles, parts, accessories and experiences for customers." Does this open up the potential of more Ford-approved performance upgrades? We'd think so

"Ford still races for the same reasons Henry Ford did in 1901," said Nair. "The Ford Performance team will continue to pursue performance innovation, ensuring we can deliver even more coveted performance cars, utilities and trucks to customers around the world."

Let battle commence...

Pictured: last-generation Ford Focus RS500