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Ford Vs Everything: The Needed Return of the RS

  • Writer: Nicholas Tiller
    Nicholas Tiller
  • Feb 23
  • 11 min read

Updated: 5 days ago


Synopsis: Ford has dominated global motorsports except rally. Should Ford revive the RS badge to bridge the gap between the Mustang and GT?


Ford vs the World


Ford has brought us many great nameplates over the years, such as the Mustang, Bronco, Raptor, and GT – the cream of the crop for the blue oval. Ford’s former strategic business plan as a rideshare mobility company is on the back burner in favor of their most recent approach, “Ford vs the World.” This campaign, gaining momentum under the slogan “Ready Set Ford,” aims to reassure consumers that Ford can meet the requirements of each global market.


January 15, 2026, marks the private launch of Ford's Racing Season, outlining their plan to compete across various racing disciplines. It is also highly anticipated that Ford will unveil a new halo GT, or at least the race variant, as well as their F1 car with Red Bull after a 22-year hiatus. It seems the Ford vs. Ferrari spirit is alive and well, spurring on this level of competition, with an echo from the past: Henry Ford II's "Go Like Hell!"



Ford’s Domination In Various Disciplines


The GT4 Mustang achieved its 1st win at IMSA VP Racing SportsCar Challenge with driver Luca Mars, setting the fastest lap time of the race with 1:53.740 at the DIS. The Mustang GT3 achieved a GTD Pro class victory at the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship this previous season. The Mustang GTD lapped the Nürburgring Ring in 6:52.072, making it the fourth-fastest production car.


At the King of the Hammers Every Man Challenge, the Ford Bronco snatched the entire podium in the 4600 Stock Class. This is part of a third-year podium sweep and marks the 4th win for the Bronco at this event. The Bronco Raptor secured a victory in the Stock Mid-Size class at Baja 1000.The 3.5L F-150 Raptor captured the Stock Full-Size class win at Baja 1000. Emil Bergkvist and Mattias Ekström finished 3rd overall at Dakar in the Raptor T1+. Ford’s podium finish at Dakar is quite a feat, given it was the T1+ 2025 debut. At the time of writing, the Raptor T1+, has won the Prologue, as well as Stages 3 & 5 at Dakar 2026.


The 3rd generation Ford GT race variant in the LM GTE Pro category took 1st, 3rd, and 4th place at Le Mans in 2016. Ford is set to return to Le Mans in 2027, battling in the LMDh under the FIA World Endurance Championship.


The Neglected Racing Discipline: World Rally Championship


I understand that in recent years, Ford, M-Sport, and WRC have had issues with their relationship. With rumors swirling of M-Sport leaving Ford as a rally partner, no statements have been confirmed yet. But it is conceivable that M-Sport is displeased with Ford, as the Puma seems more like a market push rather than a dedication to the sport.


It shows up in the WRC Championship Standings. Ford's best position this 2025 season was 10th place, with a mere 40 points. Toyota swept the podium with each driver scoring well over 250 points in the championship. Ford's performance in rally racing has been humiliating recently, and I don’t fully blame it on FIA regulations for WRC. Ford isn’t providing enough of a car for M-Sport to work with. The Puma isn’t a championship-winning car. Ford’s rally drivers know this, which is why some of their best drivers walked away to other teams like Hyundai.


Ott Tanak raced for Ford in 2023, taking 4th place, and returned to Hyundai to race once more in 2024, taking 3rd place overall in the WRC championship. In 2024, Ford fielded Adrien Fourmaux, who finished 5th, and the next season he raced for Hyundai. Fourmaux took 7th place with 115 points the 2025 season, which is 3 positions above Ford’s best driver and he holds 75 more points in the WRC standings.


Ford has neglected this discipline, as they most likely don’t see enough draw in the motorsport to invest heavily in a vehicle for domination due to stringent FIA regulations. Fear not, there is light at the end of the tunnel. WRC 2027 appears to allow more leniency for racecars competing in more categories, such as hatchbacks or bespoke designs that can run on gas, hybrid, or electric power, with a maximum output of 300 HP. 


Ford can’t bring back the Fiesta or Focus in the North American market due to unprofitability. In the European market, Ford has to contend with ever-advancing emissions regulations that limit performance and raise production costs. Yet Ford can produce a new car that gets the heart of every gearhead racing, one that is profitable in North America, meets European emission standards, and could compete in WRC.


Ford's Ace – The RS


Ford has an ace in their hands that they haven't taken advantage of - the RS nameplate. Ford needs to offer a global RS as they have done with the Mustang, Raptor, and GT. This new RS model shouldn’t be as low in volume as the Escort RS & RS200 that Boreham Motorworks is working on. The RS nameplate would reignite more conversations about rally history lore behind the badge. The RS shouldn’t be compromised to be sold to the masses as some large crossover or an electric-only variant that lacks soul and enjoyment.


The RS will need to be purpose-built for homologation and street-legal, with one goal: domination in rally racing. There are plenty of rally racing events globally and in the United States that would be worthwhile for Ford to bring back the iconic RS, such as racing in the World Rally Championship, making an appearance at Rallylegend, and being driven hardcore at the American Rally Association events. Also, not to mention the possibility of competing in World Rallycross. It is essential for Ford to produce the RS not only for rally racing but also to add diversity to its vehicle lineups.



The Lack of Car Options From Ford


Driving past Ford dealerships feels bland in the United States, as SUVs and trucks abound in dull shades of gray, white, and black. I've noticed the two-door Mustangs are pushed to the back of the lot in favor of the Mustang Mach-E, which is placed on the front row like the favorite child, who’s an Honor Student.


Does anyone remember the exciting lineup Ford had back in 2016? There was the Fiesta ST, Focus ST, Focus RS, Shelby GT350R, all with manuals. Not to mention the F-150 Raptor and Ford GT were something to behold. There was a Ford Performance vehicle to fit anyone’s budget and something to compete in every racing discipline.


The 2026 lineup includes the Mustang Dark Horse, Mustang GTD, Mustang Mach E GT, Ranger Raptor, Bronco Raptor, F-150 Raptor, Raptor R, Escape ST, and Explorer ST. The Dark Horse is the only model with a manual option, and it's not standard equipment. While the lineup may seem strong, some may see it as simply assigning badges to various vehicles, which dilutes the legacy of each nameplate. What are your thoughts on Ford’s current lineup?


A new RS nameplate would add another exciting Ford, helping break the monotony of modern showrooms. It would add new appeal to the Ford brand above the overwhelming variants of the Mustang, such as the RTR, Saleen, Roush, Fathouse Performance, Hennessey Performance, Shelby & etc.


If Ford seriously considered the RS from a business perspective, they would need to find a place in the lineup to determine cost, performance expectations, and build volume to cover R&D.


A Model Between the Mustang and GT


This new RS nameplate ought to fill in the gap between the Mustang and the GT. The current placeholder, the Mustang GTD, should be replaced for two reasons. First, while the GTD offers exceptional performance, the Corvette will always beat it until it becomes mid-engine, too. This would upset a lot of Mustang fans, but it would not be hard to offer a mid-engined RS, since the RS200 already had that configuration. Second, the GTD allows Ford to raise Mustang prices as they morph the Mustang into a vehicle befitting a super sports car. Making the previous everyday man's muscle car into a high-priced, exclusive sports car club. We’re talking about Porsche money for the GTD at $327,960! It is a beautiful and amazing car, yet I believe Ford needs a mid-engine super sports car to compete with the Corvette, as the Ford GT aims to defeat Ferrari.


Ford could bring back the RS nameplate to a greater extent than it has in the past, finding a comfortable spot in the $200,000-$250,000 range. Some may want the new RS nameplate to be in the $30-50K spectrum, yet that would put it in direct competition with the Mustang.


Ford needs to return to making the Mustang more affordable for its consumers; otherwise, it will outprice its own enthusiasts, prompting gearheads to go with something like the Toyota GR 86 or Mazda Miata, both of which offer a manual option on their base models. Ford forces you to step up to the Mustang GT to get a manual transmission, which starts at $46,560. Making it harder for the regular car enthusiast to get into a manual sports car at a reasonable price.


Time Saving Efforts to Reach Production Quicker


If I was in charge at Ford and tasked with bringing back the RS nameplate, I know my work would be cut out for me, as bringing a new vehicle from initial sketch to production usually takes about 4 to 5 years. I would review previous platforms and the parts we already have in production or have produced in the past to reduce development costs and comply with emission regulations. I would like to put forth a configuration for the RS nameplate.


Configuration:

  • Successor to the RS200: Mid-Engine AWD

  • Transmission: DCT, Manual Sequential (Optional)

  • Engine: 3.0L V6 EcoBoost

    • Dry Sump Oil System

    • Flat Plane Crank (Optional)

    • Lag-Free Turbos from 3rd Gen GT

    • Partner with Freevalve

  • Hybrid System: Eluminator, from the Mach E GT

  • FIA WRC Regulations: ± 300 HP

  • Non-hybrid – Weight Reduction (Recommended)

  • Manufacture Specs: 500+ HP & 600+ LB./FT (Est.)

  • Aftermarket: 700+ HP & 800+ LB./FT

  • Volume: 2,500-4,000 units/year

  • Weight: < 3,200 Lbs. (Recommended)


 You might have noticed that I mentioned in the configuration that I would partner with Freevalve. It would allow the RS to be offered in every global market, as Freevalve’s technology produces a more efficient engine that meets any emissions requirements. It would open the door to alternative fuels, keeping the car racing for years to come, which would be reassuring for race teams and car enthusiasts. Furthermore, Freevalve offers a lower center of gravity, which is even lower when paired with a dry sump. The flat-plane crank is for the pure enjoyment of a high-revving motor that Freevalve can easily manage without fear of engine failure or complications.


With that said, if Ford comes out with a new RS, it will need to be special, not just letters on a car that any other brand could have made. It needs to be a proper grand touring car with a rebellious side, with a Rally Mode that builds on the Drift Mode first featured on the Ford Focus RS. It will need to be track-capable and have enough power to take on the Corvette to make this RS more justifiable for production.



Marketing the RS


European Market


The European market will be easy to appeal to, given the rally racing history of the RS nameplate, yet the competition at this price point will be fierce. This will require Ford to build a quality product that exceeds expectations. It needs to be able to handle a good thrashing on a rally stage and still outperform super sports cars on the streets afterward. The RS would do well in the European market with a driver-centric environment, tactile buttons, and a minimalist technology presence that doesn't distract from the driving experience.


North American Market


Ford would have to significantly rework its North American market to convince people to pay $200,000+ for the RS nameplate, especially if they call it an Escort, given that it is seen as an economy car. The vehicle would fare better if it were referred to as RS300 or something similar to show the advancements from the RS200.


If I was in charge of the Ford RS program, I would get Lia Block behind the wheel to go rally racing, possibly filming a Gymkhana video. Create a documentary that follows her story and experience. Also, develop a docuseries to showcase the wonderful community around rally racing. I would offer a special-edition RS300, the KB43, limited to 43 units, in honor of Ken Block and his love for the Group B RS200.



The Return of the RS


In the fall of 2019, I sent my interpretation of the Escort RS to Ford Performance, and they responded, as did M-Sport. Ford made it clear that they were going in a different direction, which we now see in the GTD.M-Sport loved the idea of a new Escort RS, but admitted that building a vehicle like that was not a decision for them to make. Only Ford could bring an RS to life.


Interestingly, a group at Ford created a concept called the RS2.00 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the RS200 Group B rally car. Ford has most of the parts I mentioned on hand; some will need to be outsourced or modified, and they already have a design philosophy for the RS to base the production vehicle on. So, it could be assumed that such an RS would be possible, if Ford only dares to try.


We are on the inevitable path where cars are built solely for transportation. Automotive enthusiasts have a responsibility to band together and ask companies like Ford to bring back unique vehicles; it worked for the new Bronco. Therefore, all RS lovers need to speak up, write Ford, email Ford, message Ford’s socials to bring back the RS with #RSNeeds2Return.


Let me know what you think of a new RS? How would you configure a new RS? Should Ford have a car placed between the Mustang and the GT?


Godspeed,


Nicholas Tiller







Article Sources


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