Ford Targets Audi And Mercedes-AMG With 400HP Hybrid Focus RS

Shelby Focus would be so much better sounding than the generic RS.

@MD- I don't think so in this case. This is a halo car for people 25-35 years old. Shelby as a brand means nothing to them. This is all about WRC and their rally heroes and getting a car that is as close as you can get to one of those rides.They should offer a raised version, with mud flaps and an option roll cage. Maybe even a roof vent. The closer to the WRC car they can get the better.

@Canadiancomments, Of course you "don't think so" because you're being contrary solely for the sake of being contrary.

Please give your market research that concluded "people 25-35 years old. Shelby as a brand means nothing to them" because Ford's market research on the Mustang says the opposite, so much so that they are considering recasting the Shelby GT350 even more directly at millennials with ICE + electric propulsion.

You prefer "ST" that sounds like a tire losing air or "RS" that is the trim level of a cheap Camaro??

@MD. I do not disagree with you to be disagreeable. There is enough of that on this site. Everyone I know ( younger riding and skiing buddies) that own a Focus ST or Focus ST or the rarer RS are in that age group. The older ones do quite well and need to to afford the RS or a Subie STI. They want to track them and rally them. Ford can do what it wants with the GT350/R (which is not a cheap ride to begin with). But in my view younger buyers will gravitate towards this sort of ride. I would have called in the Focus WRC and the 400hp one the WRC-R, but nobody asked me.

Hybrid Mustangs are running around as we speak. They are literally hiding in plain sight. As I understand it, the GT350 would be an alternative to the GT rather than a notch above. The Shelby brand trends very strongly with millennials and post-millennials.

anyone know who is already selling anything with this new mild hybrid tech? I am intrigued

If its anything like what GM did, it's 100% about being able to put a "hybrid" badge on the car.

I think most of the new "mild" hybrid for "performance cars" will be more like the hybrid that FCA is adding to its new Ram pick ups - adding Torque. THere is actually a good case for doing that one.

However - again - Ford cannot really target Mercedes - or EVEN AUDI - with a Ford branded product -they are simply not on the same "perception" level in the real world. Over the years - lots of manufacturers have produced such "pocket rockets" - and some - like the VW GTI have done well in their segments - but the idea that they actually are competitors to real premium vehicles is outright Comical - another example of a false Headline here at Autospies.

Really, a consumer looking to buy an Audi or a Mercedes is going to buy a Ford because of its performance? Next.