Will its new status as a global car spoil the Ford Focus RS?

It's not likely that being a global car will diminish the appeal of the Focus RS as it enters a third generation.

Twenty years ago there were concerns that US-engineered performance cars were too soft for local tastes, but priorities have changed completely for our cousins across the water.

Their demand for RS-style Ford’s has exploded by 70 per cent since 2009 (our own demand has increased only 14 per cent in the same time) and Ford’s engineering community is now so international that it’s no longer likely that only Americans work in America, or Europeans in Europe.

Besides, Ford’s effort with the new Ford Mondeo, shows off its impressive skills at developing car skills.

So let’s view the idea of a Ford Performance family with an open mind. Great fast Fords are coming.

Steve Cropley

Title: Editor-in-chief

Steve Cropley is the oldest of Autocar’s editorial team, or the most experienced if you want to be polite about it. He joined over 30 years ago, and has driven many cars and interviewed many people in half a century in the business.

Cropley, who regards himself as the magazine’s “long stop”, has seen many changes since Autocar was a print-only affair, but claims that in such a fast moving environment he has little appetite for looking back.

He has been surprised and delighted by the generous reception afforded the My Week In Cars podcast he makes with long suffering colleague Matt Prior, and calls it the most enjoyable part of his working week.

used Ford Focus 2011-2014 cars for sale