Ford Focus RS (2016)

Imagine how many hoodies you could get for £15k......
 
I read somewhere that instead of a through load option in the back seat, they're going to provide a staffie harness :)
 
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They'd have too as the boot on the mk3 hatchback is smaller than some competitors, with a rear axle it will be tiny. Still it will amuse me if all those 'hoodies', who supposedly are the only people who will be owning the right, doubtful if they would be able to afford it though, blowing off the s3. Still I will wait until proper road tests are released...
 
Don't like the looks of the Focus RS.
Bound to drive far better and give much more enjoyment than a S3 or RS3 though.
Looks of it would put me off ever having one.

I'm thinking about a Cayman GT4 after I'm done with the RS5.
Fantastic bit of kit!
 
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Looks like we could be heading for leasegate 2. Gotta get people out of bargain Golf R deals somehow.
 
I just realised I have a 'hoodie' so perhaps I should get the rs, only trouble is it has s-line and the four rings on it...
 
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I aint a car/badge snob though there seem to be a few on here,thats fair enough..but dont demean a car thats not even been driven/reviewed. The larger the options list the better the car,its seemed to be on here
 
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My dad had an a Escort Cosworth which he bought brand new 1995. I was only 11 when he got it and it was the one of the most exciting days of my life the day we picked it up from Yeovil Ford. Never felt that way about a car I have owned myself. It truly was an event eveytime we went out it in it - my school mates flocked round it when dad pulled up on the drive.

I had a chance to drive an Escort Cosworth about 5 years ago thanks to a friend who owned one and it lived up to all my expectations - absolutely fantastic car.

If the a Focus RS can capture even 10% of the magic of the Cosworths it will be an epic thing and I will be buying one....
 
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Three door, five door? They don't seem to do a three door so its ridiculous to suggest they design what would be almost a new car and invest the multi millions it would need to tool a three door up.
Apart from which five doors are the biggest sellers by far.
 
jassyo06 said:
l am a car fan foremost....l love fast fords....l love the thought of being a Audi S3 owner soon...but dont compare GM cars with Ford cars....although they are both in the same category...the Fords have the edge on build quality and are way ahead in the driveabilty front?
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I'm sorry to say that as long as Ford keep producing cars that look like that and don't start recruiting people who can style a car then they and Vauxhall will forever be playing in the same sandpit. They also do not have the edge on build quality these days.
 
Can't any worse than the 3/5 door a3, hardly body styling that stirs any emotions...
 
cilurnum said:
I'm sorry to say that as long as Ford keep producing cars that look like that and don't start recruiting people who can style a car then they and Vauxhall will forever be playing in the same sandpit. They also do not have the edge on build quality these days.
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Yeah, I'd imagine Ford'll really struggle to sell these due to their poor design...

:rolleyes:

If Ford designed and specced the car to the standard that some are calling for, it'd cost £40k plus and would have propellers, rings or a three pointed star on the front.

As it is, it's likely going to be a performance bargain and they'll sell a shed-load.

Look at Mk2 RS prices, especially as a FWD car, and tell me it was a failure.
 
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Since my GF got her new Fiesta ST a year ago I have taken more of an interest in Ford as a replacement for my 2012 S3 as its a fantastic package. No the interiors aren't as good a quality but Ford have certainly upped their game with the new Focus, it's much more Germanic with less fussy buttons and the recaros are fantastic! Shame there's no DSG option though.
I know a lot of guys on here are going to slate the Ford as they own/rent an S3, which are brilliant cars and a step above a Focus ST but the price reflects this. The difference between my personal spec of S3 and ST is circa £10k and the difference in quality isn't worth that amount.
As for the new RS, I think it will be an absolute hoot to drive and by the vids it sounds lovely.......it's just not special enough in the looks department. I'm sorry I don't think any petrol head can look at the old RS and not appreciate it and give a little grin. They may not want to own one, or admit to liking a Ford but they couldn't walk past without looking!
I'm in agreement with previous posts and the top level cars in their respective makes/class should be a tad bonkers and certainly 3 door only.
A late well specced RS may be a cheeky investment if folk aren't keen on the new 5 door model.
 
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a3_phil said:
Yeah, I'd imagine Ford'll really struggle to sell these due to their poor design...

:rolleyes:

If Ford designed and specced the car to the standard that some are calling for, it'd cost £40k plus and would have propellers, rings or a three pointed star on the front.

As it is, it's likely going to be a performance bargain and they'll sell a shed-load.

How is it a poor design....elaborate?? its a 5 door hothatch same as a RS3....and to what standard are you referring too....?back up your points of view...Trust me the build quality gap aint that wide...these days

l aint on the Ford Soap box here....l have just gone and ordered a NEARLY £39K S3.....but l aint wearing other Marque blinker's
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Well said Buz. quite frankly the S3 interior needs to be a step up. You spend more time noticing It since the drive is a tad dull. Safe but dull. :sleeping:
 
buz said:
Since my GF got her new Fiesta ST a year ago I have taken more of an interest in Ford as a replacement for my 2012 S3 as its a fantastic package. No the interiors aren't as good a quality but Ford have certainly upped their game with the new Focus, it's much more Germanic with less fussy buttons and the recaros are fantastic! Shame there's no DSG option though.
I know a lot of guys on here are going to slate the Ford as they own/rent an S3, which are brilliant cars and a step above a Focus ST but the price reflects this. The difference between my personal spec of S3 and ST is circa £10k and the difference in quality isn't worth that amount.
As for the new RS, I think it will be an absolute hoot to drive and by the vids it sounds lovely.......it's just not special enough in the looks department. I'm sorry I don't think any petrol head can look at the old RS and not appreciate it and give a little grin. They may not want to own one, or admit to liking a Ford but they couldn't walk past without looking!
I'm in agreement with previous posts and the top level cars in their respective makes/class should be a tad bonkers and certainly 3 door only.
A late well specced RS may be a cheeky investment if folk aren't keen on the new 5 door model.
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Good post and hard for anyone to argue any points made ;) As you say for 'the price' the Fiesta ST is a good car and if that price range is your limit it's hard to find anything better.
 
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There's no doubt that Ford will shift far more of these than Audi will of the S3 and RS3.
Price wise it may not be a direct competitor to the Audi models. If it's like previous RS models then it will be a great drive and great value for money. I don't think the two manufacturers are necessarily after the same market. There will be some overlap at the edges though..

We all have different reasons for choosing the cars we buy, the S3 Golf R debate is an example of this, it doesn't mean all the cars you (we) didn't choose are bad cars with huge problems. Or that you (we) necessarily bought the best car.

This car will be a huge success and I'm sure the owners will love it, the RS owners club is pretty special too.
 
If it drives well I would consider one, but it wouldn't be my daily driver . It seems most on here picked the s3 because it is a great all round vehicle , and most people pick a focus rs because it's an amazing , fun , weekend toy. I reccomend anyone who owns an s3 to go and drive a focus rs and tell me your not grinning from ear to ear after thrashing one around for a bit.

Would I part with £30k + of my hard earned cash for one?.... probably not but if the new one is as good as expected I would probably get a 2-3 year old one when the time comes as weekend / track car for laughs.

Sean
 
steeve said:
There's no doubt that Ford will shift far more of these than Audi will of the S3 and RS3.
Price wise it may not be a direct competitor to the Audi models. If it's like previous RS models then it will be a great drive and great value for money. I don't think the two manufacturers are necessarily after the same market. There will be some overlap at the edges though..

We all have different reasons for choosing the cars we buy, the S3 Golf R debate is an example of this, it doesn't mean all the cars you (we) didn't choose are bad cars with huge problems. Or that you (we) necessarily bought the best car.

This car will be a huge success and I'm sure the owners will love it, the RS owners club is pretty special too.
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Good post and spot on. I also have a baseball cap that if I wear it with the peak facing backwards my car is much faster. I guess, according to some, that qualifies me for the RS as well?
 
I'll take a look when it comes out, my only experience of ford first hand was my girlfriends Ford Ka which started to show issues at 40k miles. Alternator, some seal buckled that meant oil was leaking into the clutch. lower front suspension arm went, seat belt started to lock up randomly (rather annoying when you are trying to lean forward to assess the road at a junction.
So I can only hope they've improved the build quality and I really hope that my S3 doesn't disappoint in terms of build quality.
 
Before Audis I've always liked fords.

But I just don't like the Burberry interior.
 
DommyR said:
Before Audis I've always liked fords.

But I just don't like the Burberry interior.
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l wouldnt say this a Burberry interior??
11 49743089 1737836 960 100
and the Recaro seats side bolsters dont sag/drop...if the drivers seat in my new S3 DECIDES TO DO THIS? it will go straight back to Audi to get fixed

LOL...
Dashboard

Although the Sony stereo..was a bit fussy looking,the new 2015 Focus ST3/2016 Focus RS have a new 7.5 Touchscreen....
 
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Just wish I could take the recaros into the S3 I test drove. Superb seats
 
a3_phil said:
Yeah, I'd imagine Ford'll really struggle to sell these due to their poor design...
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I'm sure they'll sell a few but I'm afraid trying to compare it with 'other' cars as has been done is a waste of time. It just doesn't evoke that special....something. If you're after a cheap performance car then great, but at over £30K it just isn't going to be a cheap performance car for most who can afford one.

Bizarrely, people who can afford more expensive performance cars have got to want to spend less to get a one and feel like they still have a badge that stands up.

If Ford designed and specced the car to the standard that some are calling for, it'd cost £40k plus and would have propellers, rings or a three pointed star on the front.
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Alas, the way they could have styled this car would not have increased the cost.

Look at Mk2 RS prices, especially as a FWD car, and tell me it was a failure.
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It certainly doesn't evoke the spirit of the old RS models which always succeeded on being a cut above the XR3i et al models, so on that note they've failed. It just isn't an Escort either. They have lost that whole era where people really would crowd round RS and Sierra Cosworths. I can remember how that felt and that's something you just can't put your finger on. Je ne sais quoi.
 
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I did look at an ST3 Focus a few years ago and although it was a nice car, it was also rediculously expensive to finance. GFV of £11k on a £28k car from memory made it £200 a month more than a MK7 Golf GTI.

Hopefully the RS will have a much better GFV. I have a good feeling about this car.....
 
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Hopefully that will reflect in the GFV for the new one veeeight :)

Not sure if I will get kicked off ASN for suggesting this.........is the Focus RS just a much more exciting prospect than the RS3 after the initial press releases? Totally underwhelmed with the initial details and videos of the RS3. The Focus RS on the other hand has truly got me excited

This article and video on Fast Fords doesn't help either

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/history-ford-rs-pictures
 
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audi upgrades
shhhhhh ;)

(But I agree :) And what if the A45 AMG Black comes out..... I truly can't wait for that one! )
 
veeeight said:
shhhhhh ;)

(But I agree :) And what if the A45 AMG Black comes out..... I truly can't wait for that one! )
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I know. We have got in trouble before for not worshiping all things Audi.

Mrs Pulp works for Mercedes and the Black has been given the green light apparently. Think it will be a lot of £££ though.
 
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Tbh I quite like the RS.. sshhh am a newbie and dont want kicked off..ha.

Really love the Recaro's and Audi have been really stupid and not opting to have those as an option.. one of the very few areas where my S3 isn't the best and that is when really giving it the beans on a country road (up to 60mph of course) there is too much moving about in the seat.. maybe the super sport seats would help that but the Recaro's just feel proper and hug like crazy..
 
I tried the SS seats on one of the many test drives but they are a bit of a 'half way house' The ST's seat's are superb but then I'm not carrying much bulk.
I would imagine persons over a certain size might find them uncomfortable.
 
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An observation on the handbrake.

Ken Block is driving what they describe as a "prototype". Which is probably a Mk.2 mule.
This is further re-enforced in the video, there is a shot of him near the end pulling up on what looks like a manual handbrake lever.
Some of his manoeuvres cannot be done unless you have a rear wheel handbrake.

In the press pics of the Mk.3, no such lever exists. Which probably means the Mk.3 doesn't get a rear wheel handbrake :(
 
It is a mk3 mule and the actual rs is based upon the mk3.5 which has just been made available to puchase. They do have a manual handbrake between the drivers seat and the centre console, unlike the picture above which is the mk3 interior.Thus the handbrake has been moved...
 
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The seats side bolsters could be hiding it if it is in the released position. On the ford site there is a picture of the mk3.5 interior which shows the position of the handbrake...
 
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