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A high-performance variant of Ford’s next-generation Focus will make production, the company has confirmed.

Speaking on the eve of the Geneva motor show, Ford’s Derrick Kuzak confirmed there would be a “global performance model” of Ford’s new Focus. He also confirmed the car would get the firm’s new Ecoboost technology and would be “exciting to drive and great to look at”.

Ford insiders say the firm has yet to decide whether the next performance Focus will get the ST or RS badge. Insiders have also said there will be a coupe variant of the next Focus, so this could form the basis of the performance model.

The performance variant is expected to be front-wheel drive and powered by a turbocharged petrol engine, as in the current RS. Power from the engine is likely to be around 250bhp, and Ford insiders claim hybrid technology could be used to boost its power output.

The next-generation Focus will go on sale in late 2011, although no time scale has been put on the launch of the performance version. Jost Capito, Ford’s performance car chief, is the man who will be responsible for developing the new Focus variant.

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