Ford indeed rejected the AWD system from volvo due to weight but also because the head of development, Jost Capito, said he found the feedback from AWD is less clear. Or to put it another way, he and his team felt that a FWD only car gives more intuitive feedback and feel as there isnt the AWD system playing with front rear drive adjustments. THe RS team therefore wanted to find a way to make the RS work as a FWD car. The RS is also a different character to the ST, more hardcore. The C30 isnt as harsh/hardcore as the RS so AWD suits it more. Volvo's views on AWD for high performance car verses Ford's seem to be different. VW, Audi dont seem to have problem with AWD performance cars.
The Revoknuckle is very interesting. Volvo seems to have access to this technology/suspension knowhow. Be sure the revoknuckle design will surely make it ways into newer FWD suspension designs at Ford and Volvo.
Volvo is going for AWD it seems but how about Revoknuckle combined with AWD.......