Focus RS is a winner

  • Thread starter Thread starter Stotty
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Uh...so, where does that leave the Mustang? The Taurus SHO?

I think Ford's message is being a little misconstrued.

and I still think they chickened out on gravel.
 
"Rumor has bubbled up that this latest Ford Focus RS will be the last"

Try a different record Ford, your current one is skipping.

This is exactly what they said a few years ago before launching the current RS, and it's also what they said before launching the first Focus RS too.
 
Jim Prower
Uh...so, where does that leave the Mustang? The Taurus SHO?
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I think that the article was mostly referring to Europe. I don't think they would ever discontinue the Mustang. Their emissions regulations over there can be pretty strict.
 
I just wish they would give the SVT program the proper attention it deserves. We went how many years between SVT products, the Lightning and the Raptor? Why haven't they done a car since the SVT Focus?

Personally speaking, I'm more in favor of properly designed "sport" variants of average models (think of the Ford ST models) than balls-deep RS/SVT/etc models. It gives more people access to well designed sports models at a reasonable price, and overall, likely ends up being a better endeavor for business purposes.
 
Uh, Brad? The GT500 was an SVT project, although I think the only thing badged SVT was the wheels.

But very much agreed, simple "Average" performance models would be a good idea.
 
Is SVT really all that active anymore? GM is still putting out hot versions of a few of their cars, but Ford hasn't really had anything lately other than the Mustang. I think an SVT Focus or Fusion would be pretty cool. Although Ford doesn't exactly have the widest lineup to put the badge on.
 
hat will mean a far sadder state of affairs than merely the loss of the RS line. Unless, of course, Ford means that the next Focus RS will be 300 hp, 302 lb-ft... and electric?
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Pfft, that would be a very sad state of affairs indeed. 302lb-ft from an electric....

I kid I kid.
 
YSSMAN
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:eek: BUICK?! Does want.

Also, Alfa Romeo wants to speak with you.
YSSMAN
The only reason I posted them was because they're the only other 300+ BHP FWD cars I can think of off the top of my head, and honestly, the only "fair" comparison would be to the Pontiac, which is no longer in production. They too set out to make some kind of performance standard for their vehicle, benchmarking cars like the G35 and 330i (at the time), but they maybe only achieved 90% of what they wanted to.

Still, I'd take the Focus over the STi and Evo anyway, regardless of 0-60 times and all that jazz. Well, until the VW R20 hits the streets...
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Eh, what?
Toronado
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Well, that hurts. At least the mode of the current update for that one was honourable; improvement of errors, without any crap thrown in.
YSSMAN
I just wish they would give the SVT program the proper attention it deserves. We went how many years between SVT products, the Lightning and the Raptor? Why haven't they done a car since the SVT Focus?

Personally speaking, I'm more in favor of properly designed "sport" variants of average models (think of the Ford ST models) than balls-deep RS/SVT/etc models. It gives more people access to well designed sports models at a reasonable price, and overall, likely ends up being a better endeavor for business purposes.
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I'm fairly sure that the Focus SVT was a rebadged Focus ST... Either way, here in America, a good-to-drive American hatchback simply wouldn't sell. People looking for something exquisite and fun would not likely buy American. So, that means that Ford can only go eco (base Focus) or epic (RS). An ST wouldn't sell here, same as the late SVT.
 
Well, lemme put it this way: we won't be getting any engines on the lower end of the range as yankees. Besides, I'm sure once Steeda gets their hands on a Fiesta, it'll be plenty ST-ish enough...
 
Eric.
Same for my Civic. First goes to 37 if you stretch it out, and then you're moving to third at 53mph, I think. Third gear is awesome because your speed is 1% of the revs. You can rev match all day into third and look like you know what you're doing. :lol:
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That's the same as my car in 4th, since my speedo has the 2 needles 'layered' on top of one another, it looks awesome changing into 4th :D
 
homeforsummer
"Rumor has bubbled up that this latest Ford Focus RS will be the last"

Try a different record Ford, your current one is skipping.

This is exactly what they said a few years ago before launching the current RS, and it's also what they said before launching the first Focus RS too.
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Trying to sell this one before announcing that 4WD RS.If you can find out motors torgue curve,its been cut hevyly in higher revs.That extra torgue+power is for 4wd model.
 
i really want one of these... can't understand why ford doesn't import gems like this, the mondeo and the falcon to the states.
 
^Maybe. It just occurred to me, the Cobalt SS Turbocharged is here! That way, the Focus RS may have an excuse to come.

Hoping...
 
Well, we do already get the Mazdaspeed, so that is probably Ford's entry into that market in the states.
 
Ford doesn't own enough of Mazda to do that... i really cannot understand why ford is adverse to bringing the rs here...EA11R is right. it would be a great cobalt ss competitor.
 
Competitor? Cobalt would be squashed like a bug. If it's a fast Ford with RS moniker, there's not much that could run against it in the hot hatch segment.
 
Agreed. The Cobalt SS is more than an adequate competitor to the Ford Focus RS. In general, while the Ford would likely be a shade faster, by days end, the Chevy would have ended up cheaper. Capability wise, they are similar, approaching the FWD segment with big power and a stiff chassis. Running an 8:22 on the 'Ring certainly makes it no slouch, furthermore, its proven performance in various tests here in the US against cars that (in theory) should have outclassed it.

In general, it would be an interesting fight. One that we should have been seeing.
 
YSSMAN
Agreed. The Cobalt SS is more than an adequate competitor to the Ford Focus RS. In general, while the Ford would likely be a shade faster, by days end, the Chevy would have ended up cheaper. Capability wise, they are similar, approaching the FWD segment with big power and a stiff chassis. Running an 8:22 on the 'Ring certainly makes it no slouch, furthermore, its proven performance in various tests here in the US against cars that (in theory) should have outclassed it.

In general, it would be an interesting fight. One that we should have been seeing.
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The Megane R26.R (stripped-out, caged, track-focused road car running Toyo R888 road-legal semi-slicks) ran a 8:17 around the 'Ring, the RS is expected to beat this with 5 seats and on regular roadtyres, so I don't think the SS really competes performance-wise...
 
But how much more expensive would the RS be? I'd guess that with it's tech level, we're taking near or above Mustang-level prices were it sold in the states.
 
YSSMAN
Agreed. The Cobalt SS is more than an adequate competitor to the Ford Focus RS. In general, while the Ford would likely be a shade faster, by days end, the Chevy would have ended up cheaper. Capability wise, they are similar, approaching the FWD segment with big power and a stiff chassis. Running an 8:22 on the 'Ring certainly makes it no slouch, furthermore, its proven performance in various tests here in the US against cars that (in theory) should have outclassed it.

In general, it would be an interesting fight. One that we should have been seeing.
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You're joking, right? :sly:

Am I correct in saying the Cobalt shares it's chassis with the European Opel/Vauxhall Astra? That happens to be the worst hot hatch (unless you want to call the Auris/Corolla hot) in Europe handling wise, where the Focus seems to be in a league of its own. Only the Megane is a bit more agile, but you can complain its ride is too hard for non-flat roads.

The Cobalt SS will offer much more bang for the buck, but that's about it probably. Where the Cobalt SS is a rump steak, the Focus RS is more of a filet mignon. The Focus isn't always the better choice, but if you call the Cobalt SS a more than adequate competitor to the Focus RS, you're completely neglecting the superb chassis of the Focus RS imo.

Also a mistake I see a lot of people make is that they focus too much on Nordschleife laptimes. Although it's a looong road with a lot of corners, power is still the key to a good laptime there. Especially with the sticky rubber these days.
If you want to drive a Focus RS out of your rear mirror on twisty roads, anything less than an Exige or fast Caterham won't do ;)
 
You're right. We do focus a little bit on the Nurburgring laps. But think about it - for us in the states, the only thing that could even come close to a Focus RS caliber (FWD, 250+ hp) is a Cobalt SS. The caliber srt-4 looked promising, and then turned out to be terrible. You are correct in saying that the cobalt shares its chassis with the astra - but it has been tweaked and strengthened. Apparently, it handles quite well - see October '08 issue of Motor Trend for details - but I'm also wondering how, with 300 hp, the Focus RS manages to overcome torque steer.
 
mPWRD
You're right. We do focus a little bit on the Nurburgring laps. But think about it - for us in the states, the only thing that could even come close to a Focus RS caliber (FWD, 250+ hp) is a Cobalt SS. The caliber srt-4 looked promising, and then turned out to be terrible. You are correct in saying that the cobalt shares its chassis with the astra - but it has been tweaked and strengthened. Apparently, it handles quite well - see October '08 issue of Motor Trend for details - but I'm also wondering how, with 300 hp, the Focus RS manages to overcome torque steer.
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It overcomes the torquesteer perfectly according to happy owners on other sites. The Ford engineers have done a fantastic job, the only thing it lacks is the oversteer fun of AWD vehicles (According to one owner this makes the car less fun point-to-point as you find the cars limits quickly)
 
Hugo Boss
You're joking, right? :sly:

Am I correct in saying the Cobalt shares it's chassis with the European Opel/Vauxhall Astra? That happens to be the worst hot hatch (unless you want to call the Auris/Corolla hot) in Europe handling wise, where the Focus seems to be in a league of its own.
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All those things that the Astra VXR does bad? The absurd understeer, the tire spin, the vague response, the torque steer? The Cobalt does none of them. For that matter, the normal Cobalt is a far better car than the Astra is, if the Saturn version is any indication.
 

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