New Ford Focus RS

D

Doublemint1984

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Its getting awesome reviews pretty much everywhere.

What are your opinions?

How do you think it will compare to the S3 permormance/handlingwise?

The looks of it aren't for me tbh and compared to the s3 the interior looks a bit cheap.
 
Hmmm, tough one.
I quite like it as a car (though it does look about halfords if you know what I mean) but overall I think it's a focussed car.
It sounds amazing - I really really want to see the next get S3 or an RS3 with the 5 cyliner engine from the TT-RS. The Focus RS sounds great (awesome even - go to Drivers Republic and watch the video!!), the new technology on the front suspension seems to work very well. I really quite like it as a whole, and much respect to Ford for creating this and keeping it below £25k. Only issue for me is, modding wise, the front wheels can only cope with so much.... so though a chip, exhaust and intake could push it to 400bhp pretty easily.... would you ruin the car in the process though?
Would I buy one.... hmmmm, I really don't know.
 
I just dont like the spoiler for me, the aggressive front is nice, but would I buy one, NO, do I want a go in one YES :yum:
 
I haven't seen any road test figures but ford quote 0-60 in 5.9 and 0-100 in 14.

What I am wondering is how it manages to be slower than the S3 0-100 when it has 40bhp more and 60ish lb/ft!

Autocar tested the S3 0-100 at 13.6!

Mind you it might be faster when they road test it, but I wouldn't think Ford would release conservative figures as they are trying to sell the car.

I expect it's better handling and more focussed than the S3 but I prefer the understated Audi looks to the in your face spoilers and vents.

Could be a future classic though, Ford say it could be the last RS model and it's getting rave reviews everywhere.
 
If FORD have really created a fwd drive car that has a useable 300bhp then this has smashed popular belief and done something pretty unique.

If so, they have just upped the game big time by increasing the thresh hold by a fair margin.

iirc its circa 28K anyway which makes it one for the fast FORD hardcore fan.
I wouldnt be chucking that much money at a FOCUS, however good it might be, 28K gets you into all kinds of nice stuff.

my 2p

cheers
Paul
 
As good as it is I think the image is just too much..

Im going to wait until VW release the Golf with the new 2.5 5 cylinder turbo engine.. Thats going to be gooooood!
 
jonnyc said:
Im going to wait until VW release the Golf with the new 2.5 5 cylinder turbo engine.. Thats going to be gooooood!
Click to expand...

This WILL be the hot hatch to have IMO.
Even better, stick it in the Scirroco and really mix things up.
 
jonnyc said:
Im going to wait until VW release the Golf with the new 2.5 5 cylinder turbo engine.. Thats going to be gooooood!
Click to expand...

Is that confirmed jonny, or the start of a rumour that can drive you to near OCD levels of insanity....

... did someone say RS3 :haha:
 
Got the latest EVO magazine last night and the Focus RS is an EVO 5 star car along with the Megane R26.R... for reference the S3 is an EVO 3.5 star car.

I'd love one. Would have to be in blue and not that disgusting green. Dont think I'd be messing about tuning it either, wouldn't want to risk mucking it up!
 
Jamiekip said:
Hmmm, tough one.
I quite like it as a car (though it does look about halfords if you know what I mean) but overall I think it's a focussed car.
It sounds amazing - I really really want to see the next get S3 or an RS3 with the 5 cyliner engine from the TT-RS. The Focus RS sounds great (awesome even - go to Drivers Republic and watch the video!!), the new technology on the front suspension seems to work very well. I really quite like it as a whole, and much respect to Ford for creating this and keeping it below £25k. Only issue for me is, modding wise, the front wheels can only cope with so much.... so though a chip, exhaust and intake could push it to 400bhp pretty easily.... would you ruin the car in the process though?
Would I buy one.... hmmmm, I really don't know.
Click to expand...

Good point with the modding that. Had not thought about that.
Also if you would like to lower the car..Is the revoknuckle thing gone then or what? No idea...
Just watched the video on DR. The cars sound gorgeous.

s3mike said:
I haven't seen any road test figures but ford quote 0-60 in 5.9 and 0-100 in 14.

What I am wondering is how it manages to be slower than the S3 0-100 when it has 40bhp more and 60ish lb/ft!

Autocar tested the S3 0-100 at 13.6!

Mind you it might be faster when they road test it, but I wouldn't think Ford would release conservative figures as they are trying to sell the car.

I expect it's better handling and more focussed than the S3 but I prefer the understated Audi looks to the in your face spoilers and vents.

Could be a future classic though, Ford say it could be the last RS model and it's getting rave reviews everywhere.
Click to expand...


Dont get the acceleration times either. From 0-60 you could still argue that it has something to do with traction/limited torque on the RS or something. But that the S3 is faster from 0-100 is strange. Maybe the S3's numbers are a bit optimistic an the RS's numbers a bit pessimistic :)

Ditto on the looks though.
 
s3mike said:
...

What I am wondering is how it manages to be slower than the S3 0-100 when it has 40bhp more and 60ish lb/ft!

Autocar tested the S3 0-100 at 13.6!

.
Click to expand...

Whatever else,and that includes the Quaife diff....it's still FWD so it loses out on the traction front on sprints like 0-60mph.
 
Jamiekip said:
Is that confirmed jonny, or the start of a rumour that can drive you to near OCD levels of insanity....

... did someone say RS3 :haha:
Click to expand...

According to a good friend that works for VW yes, it will be the R32 replacement..

So RS3 is a very distinct possibility!
 
True, but that would mean the 60-100 for both is around 8 seconds.

I would have expected the RS to be quicker with all that mid-range torque. Mind you it's not light from the figures i've seen despite being FWD.
 
jonnyc said:
According to a good friend that works for VW yes, it will be the R32 replacement..

So RS3 is a very distinct possibility!
Click to expand...

Ooooohhhhhh interesting!
Can you PM me anymore?

Mitch.... are you reading :nyah:

I have to say, it would surprise me if Audi/VW go to the effort of creating this engine and limit it to one niche model. Theya re the kings of product/platform sharing so would make sense seeing it in other models.
The TT-RS, though great, isn't my cup of tea, but an .:R25 Golf or RS3 would have me running to the dealers.... so long as the price is right!
 
Matt said:
Got the latest EVO magazine last night and the Focus RS is an EVO 5 star car along with the Megane R26.R... for reference the S3 is an EVO 3.5 star car.

I'd love one. Would have to be in blue and not that disgusting green. Dont think I'd be messing about tuning it either, wouldn't want to risk mucking it up!
Click to expand...

Really?, the S3 used to be a 4 star car.
Oh well, it just became a bit more rubbish in the last few months according to EVO:whistle2:

Matters not anyway, the R26 could have 10 stars but I would reckon few S3 owners would swap. Probably the same for the RS?


cheers
Paul
 
audi upgrades
Thats according to the EVO website for the pre-facelift like yours, think they have revisited some of the ratings.

The facelift S3 Sportback is listed as a 4 Star.
 
Green is a shocking colour that suits a gallardo but focus?!


 
If it would have been available when i purchased my S3 it would have been a hard choice considering I have paid almost 33k for mine (lots of extras though).
 
Matt said:
Thats according to the EVO website for the pre-facelift like yours, think they have revisited some of the ratings.

The facelift S3 Sportback is listed as a 4 Star.
Click to expand...

Mmm Ok, not read EVO since the Dec edition. Not sure why the pre-facelift has been judged an inferior version.

Anyway, IMO R26 R and FOCUS RS are bona fide in yer face hot hatches, that fit the EVO criteria perfectly, and probably deserve the 5 star.
The S3 isnt.

Im not sure `being a good all rounder` is something that the EVO team care less about and why its not rated highly by them. I guess price has a lot to do with it too.
The R26 and RS are certainly 2 cars I would want to drive, just not own. Too `focused` for me I reckon. Even the Civic type became too much for me after a while!

cheers
Paul
 
i think its a very nice car, spoiler is a bit OTT tho but its the rs modal, all ford RS modals have been mad, the focus is designed around the rally spec car, subaru do it and so do mitsubishi, all we need now is a citroen c4 rally spec.

its not as quick as the s3 due to the s3 having 4 wheel drive but it will handle very well, probably better than the s3 and better than the megane R26-R. its been given on all new redesigned limited slip differential called (utomatic torque-biasing limited-slip differential) and suspension set-up which means it can put 300bhp thru to the front wheels without there being much torque steer. there will still be torque steer but it will be gentle unlike the astra VXR where it throws the wheel away. the LSD is very clever, when goin around a corner, if you accelerate hard it will put the power to the outside wheel meaning that you are able to go round the corner, faster and be able to open her up earlier.

this car is now the benchmark for all hot hatches, shame about the price of the thing tho,

PS green is a horrid colour for the focus
 
but i would still choose and s3 over it because it is such a more civilised car, and a lot better built inside!
 
GConn said:
If someone wants this kind of looks...why consider the focus? You can have an EVO or an Impreza. Both of these 2 cars will probably knock the RS out in any performance test.

I bought an S3 because I actually like the understated look. These vents and all is not my cup of tea. And the interior?? Honestly, it couldn't be worse. :puke2:
Click to expand...

Spot on.
 
you would be very surprised to how quick the RS will be, it will be able to keep up with the WRX n evo n also you dont have to pay the stupid money as you do with them, servicing, petrol, tax will all be cheaper, it can get 30mpg. and also the interior isnt that bad, compared to other cars its a lot nicer.

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?i...ages?q=ford+focus+RS+interior&hl=en&sa=N&um=1

i think it is very nice interior actually, carbon fibre is bit weird n also not with the green seats. but other than that, its got nice smooth lines, a good finish, might not be as good quality as other, but its cheap and made to be affordable!
 
Will there be a huge diffrerence in running cost beteen a 300bhp FOCUS and a WRX/EVO X,? cant think it will be much? Even with the WRX/EVOs money pit reputation.

iirc the FOUCUS will be a ltd run, so bizzarrely might be relatively `sensible` new purchase as residuals will be high with an enthusiast following.
I would guess that used prices will be prtetty strong.
 
audi upgrades
Depends on what the service interval are on the Focus RS - aren't Mitubishi's FQ cars in every 6000 miles?
Economy - Focus will be a quite a bit better I'll bet - it's not running the 4wd system for starters
 
well taxin an evo or WRX is pricey cos of 4wheel drive, focus, two wheel, servicing and parts come from ford so again cheap compared to subaru n mit, insurance will be similar n petrol wise it should also be cheaper depending on driving style! it will all add up over the years!
 
yea i think it is every 6000 miles for evo, n if you use it for daily driving then you would be looking at a service more every year or more!
 
Lee_R said:
Every 3000 for oil and filter!:scared2:
Click to expand...

Lol.. Back in the day with the Evo 6 imports it used to be every 4500 miles for the AYC diff oil..

Not any more, pretty much normal service intervals..
 
iirc new EVOs have longer intervals.
Not that it matters, you are a brave man with deep pockets to run an EVO as a daily driver anyway.
 
jonnyc said:
According to a good friend that works for VW yes, it will be the R32 replacement..

So RS3 is a very distinct possibility!
Click to expand...


http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Volkswagen-Golf/235119/

A 265bhp, four-wheel-drive R version is expected later to replace the V6 R32.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9090202.012/volkswagen-golf-r20-with-270hp-reportedly-heading-stateside

Unlike today's R32, the new R20 will feature Volkswagen's 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with direct injection which will be tuned to produce 270 horsepower.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/a...ultimate_golfs_ready_to_turn_up_the_heat.html

The replacement for the R32 is being referred to within VW as the R-Series Turbo, but it’s likely to be called the R20T, hinting at its engine capacity. And our exclusive pictures show how the most powerful Golf ever will look when it eclipses the GTI at the top of the range.

Been reported widely it is a 2.0 Turbo, so likely to be the current S3 engine.
 
I like it in the blue and a black. green no thanks...But wouldn't want to own one, but would love to be in one and see how it handles etc....
But still wouldn't own one and dont like the spoiler too much! There a few cars i'ld pick over the RS. Like to see one on the road though

ashley
 
Hi there, it won't get anywhere near 30mpg. I have an ST currently, city driving
is around 18mpg and that's not being overly heavy footed.

Motorway at absolute best ie staying under 2000rpm and generally driving like Miss Daisy I've barely squeezed 29mpg out of it - which I have to say was mindnumbing
for 200 miles.
 
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