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The Focus RS is the hardcore rally-bred performance model. With two consecutive Manufacturers' World Rally Championship titles under our belt, the time is right to create a new Focus RS, said John Fleming, Ford of Europe's President and CEO. With the Fiesta and Focus ST models, Jost [Capito] and his team have proved already that they can deliver exciting and practical performance road cars. The success of these models, combined with Jost's experience in motorsport and Ford of Europe's positive business results, mean that we now have a credible business case for a no-compromise Focus RS roadcar for more enthusiastic drivers.

Cologne,But does 'no-compromise' mean AWD? That's the sticking point at the moment. If the new Focus RS is AWD is will may be able to rival the Subaru WRX STI and Mitsubishi Evo X head on and be a true super hatch. If not, it'll just be another hot hatch with tough body work.

At the British International Motor Show, Ford has introduced the ECOnetic version of its Ford Fiesta. The engine is a 1.6-liter Duratorq TDCi (diesel) that has been tweaked for efficiency. Fuel economy for the ECOnetic Fiesta is 3.7 L/100km (63.6 mpg US) combined, or 3.2 L/100km (73.5 mpg US) on the highway! It's not exactly a race car, with 0 to 60 mph in 12 seconds, but those who will buy it won't care, the mileage will more than make up for it. The Mondeo has been Ford of Europe's mid-size sedan since the mid-90s, with the latest version introduced in 2007. (Ford tried selling the first-generation Mondeo in the US as the Contour, with limited success.) Though similar in size to the Ford Fusion and Mazda 6, the Mondeo does not share the CD3 platform that underpins those two cars.