---
title: "The Ford Focus RS Has Officially Been Killed by Europe’s Strict Emissions Rules"
description: "And COVID-19 didn't help, either."
date: "2020-04-17"
modified: "2020-04-17"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Teague"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-teague"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/33058/the-ford-focus-rs-has-officially-been-killed-by-europes-strict-emissions-rules"
categories:
  - "Ford News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "compact"
  - "focus"
  - "Ford"
  - "Hatchback"
  - "sports car"
---

# The Ford Focus RS Has Officially Been Killed by Europe’s Strict Emissions Rules

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/05/focusrs_optionspack_02-e1496260009693.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

We've known that [Ford](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/31525/this-crumpled-ford-f-150-pickup-shows-why-you-should-never-overload-your-truck>) would be axing the Focus from its North American lineup for quite some time, but there was a lingering glimmer of hope that the hot hatch would continue to live in Europe or other parts of the globe—especially as a downright nasty [Focus ST Wagon](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/26532/2019-ford-focus-st-europe-only-hatch-gets-detuned-rs-engine-with-276-hp>) appeared in the Old World last year. However, Ford Europe just admitted that the Focus RS will be no more, as the Blue Oval couldn't have kept the pocket-rocket *and* meet the European Union's fleet-wide emission requirements of 95 grams of CO2 per kilometer by 2021.

French site [*Caradisiac*](<https://www.caradisiac.com/nouvelle-ford-focus-il-n-y-aura-pas-de-rs-182611.htm>) reported the original story based on a meeting with executives from Ford Europe, claiming that "the fourth-generation of the Focus will not be entitled to an overpowered RS version. We must, therefore, be content with ST.” How poetic.

https://twitter.com/_/status/1251042831478788096

Reports initially speculated that [Ford](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/32500/ford-will-pay-millions-to-fiesta-focus-owners-over-faulty-automatic-transmissions>) wanted to stick with the 2.3-liter four-cylinder [EcoBoost](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/31902/our-ford-mustang-problem-is-continuing-in-2020-and-now-its-killed-a-poor-dog>) from the third-generation RS, with the addition of a 48-volt hybrid system to help decrease emissions. The 360-horsepower four-banger would power the front wheels and the electric motor would power the rear, which together should have added up to something close to 400 system horsepower. Reporting from [*Autocar*](<https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-ford-focus-rs-hinges-hybrid-system-breakthrough>) quoted a Ford executive saying that the mild hybrid wouldn’t get them where they needed to be with regard to emissions limitations in the European Union. That led to a plan that involved the 2.5-liter four-cylinder and e-motor from the Escape PHEV, which could have made the same 400 horsepower.

Ultimately, there were two final nails in the [Focus RS](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/30310/mountune-squeezes-unbelievable-684-hp-from-2-3-liter-ford-focus-rs-engine>)' coffin: The big problem with the hybrid plan was the complicated nature of shoehorning a heavy and expensive hybrid system into a car that needed to be light and relatively affordable. That, and the fact that Ford Europe is closing six factories and cutting back on low-volume vehicles to save cash. Oh, the coronavirus pandemic with its accompanying economic disaster didn’t help the Focus’ case either. *Caradisiac* says that, for now, Ford’s ambitions will end with the Focus ST, but that the company could produce a hotter version of the car at some point in the future.

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## Author
After working in the technology and software industry for several years, Chris Teague began writing as a way to help people outside of that world understand the sometimes very technical work that goes on behind the scenes. With a lifelong love of all things automotive, he turned his attention to writing new vehicle reviews, detailing industry trends, and breaking news. Along the way, he earned an MBA with a focus on data analysis that has helped him gain a strong understanding of why the auto industry’s biggest companies make the decisions they do.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/TeagueDrives>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/TeagueDrives>)