Focus RS is a winner

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I've not read anything criticising the car (even slightly) for feeling heavy performance wise. As for it relying on power to be fast I find that odd, as one thing it isn't for a 300bhp car is notably fast in a straight line.

To quote Jason Plato during the 5th Great review when talkinga bout the handling "It's bloody good actually".

I wonder if what you've read was referring to the steering feeling heavy or firm under certain situations, but that's not a bad thing. If the cars steering is light then you lose feel, everything I've read and seen suggest that the car is brilliant to drive and takes corners extremely well. From what I've read and seen as well you are right about it going about life like a normal car when you arn't putting your foot down.
 
Perhaps my reading skills need a polish, or I am assuming too much. Every review I've read or watched have been nothing but positives (for the most part), and I generally agree with most. The Sky review seemed to suggest that it wasn't quite as hard-edged as the Evolution X, but certainly, that it was just as capable. Everything I've seen has used the world "brutal" to describe the car when driving it hard, and it makes a lot of sense. I guess I see the RS --> R26 relationship in something similar to how we would compare the GTI --> Civic Si here in the US. They are both equally capable, and both are about equally fast, but both approach the situation in a different way. Maths and extra power ultimately make the RS a techno-lover's dream, but there is still something good about the purity of the others.
 
Oh ofcourse, the RS isn't as uncompromised as the R26, it's a much more refined car. My only point is that cornering wise it's as sharp a front wheel drive hot hatch is and a lot sharper than a lot of other sports cars be them 4 or rear wheel drive. You don't lose refnement through great corning ability, feel and feedback. My Focus is a very chuckable car, I get great feel through the steering on twisty roads, bu at the same time it's a lot more refined a ride than the 306 I had a couple of years ago which was also a very chuckable car. My Focus is heavier than my 306 was, but it doesn't feel it, I'd suspect it's similar with the RS, sure it's not the lightest hot hatch out there but I bet feels as sharp as the lightest ones.
 
The only criticism I've read of the RS is that it has more understeer in tight hairpins than the R26R... understandable since it's a much heavier car.

But that's like saying an F430 has more understeer than an Elise... how it compares to a stripped-down racer is much different to how it compares to other regular road cars.
 
I'd be surprised if the R26R wasn't faster (or at least have faster apex speeds) than a Focus on a dry, really tight track or road. But that's no criticism of the Focus... afterall, the Renault has a full cage and track day tyres. Stick a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cups on the Focus and I guess it would be equally as fast.
 
extreme car
I'm still really interested on how the Ford Focus RS really handles on the corner because the main point they make a new suspension is to make the car handle better, I know it's heavier than the FD2 type R and R26 but I think if their new suspension really works out it should be able to kill the civic and the renault.
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I was under the impression that the Ford RevoKnuckle set-up was copied from what RenaultSport did with the Megane R26 originally?
 
Not quite copied enough to infringe Renault's patents, but the same general idea.
 
Hey 'Merica, Want the RS?

...Apparently Ford is thinking about giving it to us...

Jalopnik
Automotive News claims Hermann Salenbauch, Ford's advanced product creation and global performance director told them Ford is looking for "feedback from the media and customers...how much do they like it? Is it really what they want? We are pretty confident that it is." We know we feel pretty confident it is. So say we all? If we do, say your piece right now — show Ford the positive feedback they so desperately desire.
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It would be amazing if we could get it, but I'm terrified by the total price that would be required on entry.
 
KSaiyu
This is cool

revo_knuckle.jpg


After reading about it in a magazine review, didn't expect to find such a detailed file about it.
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Very interesting! I was about to come here and ask if anyone had drawings or pictures of this thing in action. Looks like I found my answer.

niky
So they're claiming it's almost as good as a double-wishbone?
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It seems to lack the great camber gain that double wishbones have, but like a McStrut it's lighter and cheaper than a double wishbone. It toes out under compression like a double wishbone, though I think the A-arm suspension probably does it more than this suspension. The Revostrut thing also has virtually no caster change--I have no idea how a double wishbone performs in that aspect. And even with an intermediate shaft double wishbone FWDs are not at all immune to torque steer. But this fancy thing seems to be!

But still, building a car as a weekend autocrosser/daily driver means you'd still have to roll around on ridiculous static negative camber on the street. The double wishbone on my Civic goes from just over 0 camber to, well, a lot as it compresses. People who slam these things have to deal with over -4 degrees of camber. But like I said earlier they also toe out quite a bit, which ruins response. I guess they both have their benefits and problems.

Famine
It outlapped the Impreza and Evo X around the Lommel #7 circuit. This is a 4.3km (2.7mi) circuit of two lane road with 20 corners.

And Lommel #7 looks like this:

​

Twisty bits? They've got that covered.
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The new Cobalt SS also has a history of outlapping the Evo 10, on VIR specifically. A much longer and faster track than the one you mention, but the SS can still has stellar handling for what it is.

I'd love to see comparisons of the Focus RS, Cobalt SS, and JDM Civic Type R on various tracks. I already know the Civic doesn't have the power to keep up with either, and the Focus still has 40 more horses than the Cobalt. Thus, a couple fast tracks, like VIR, and some nice tight ones like Tsukuba or Lommel. I've got a feeling that all three would have similar handling numbers on tight tracks, but the Civic would probably be more tossable and responsive than either of the bigger cars. The reviews mention the Cobalt feeling a little disconnected, and I have to imagine the heavier Focus suffering from that too.

Does anyone have videos of the Renault in a comparison or anything? I don't get to hear a lick about that car in American magazines, whereas the Civic Type R and the Focus RS have both had a mention.
 
I'm having serious doubts as to whether they could get enough sales to make it worth it. If they already sold the Focus Mk. II, it would be different, but I dunno whether "Merkur...Again" could be pulled off any better this time.
 
I'm sure EVO will put one round Bedford soon enough, then we'll see how it stacks up against the Evo and the R26R... and I think they've also already run the Japanese spec Civic too.
 
Here's a short video from Edmunds showing some tests on the Cobalt:



Here's an interesting video, the Focus RS driven in the mountains against the Evo 10 and 135i. Both of which were beaten by the Cobalt SS around Virginia International.



I really wish they had some numbers to back it up...
 
YSSMAN
It would be amazing if we could get it, but I'm terrified by the total price that would be required on entry.
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Thought: What does this mean when it comes to which platform the next Focus will use? Would they sell the regular Focus on a MKII chassis and have the halo car on the MKIII? Or would they do MKIII all the way through?
 
No matter what, we're getting the same MKIII Focus that the rest of the world will have. My guess is that ultimately, the MKII RS would be a "bridge" car for Americans to better-accept the idea of a well-done Focus once again. But, depending on the price of the car, it could be a tough sell. Ultimately, we're looking at a high-performance Focus that will be in the price bracket that the Mustang GT kicks around it. Sure, VW sells plenty of R32s and A3 3.2s in the $30K range... But I don't know how well Ford could do it.

I mean, I'd buy one if it came around for $27K. Camaro RS V6? Mustang GT? Gen Coupe 3.8? HA! I'll take the Focus, thanks!

Problem is, if the Cobalt SS truly is the faster car, Ford is going to have to lowball the price to remain competitive. That means, ultimately, the RS would have to sticker for no more than $25K.
 
Come to think of it, the Focus could probably run with the Mustang GT and Camaro V6 (which isn't the RS btw... that's just a package). If it came here.... oh... around $29-30k to pay for the tech and then make a profit... but they would be snapped up fast.
 
mPWRD
... Camaro V6 (which isn't the RS btw... that's just a package)...
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Points to Thread ---> Zeta News 2.0

Yes, I realize that. While I do not wish to debate the semantics of the model designations of the 5th Gen, ultimately saying "Chevrolet Camaro LT V56 RS" comes off as something rather silly when you can just say "Camaro RS V6," get the same effect, and still realize that it is ultimately a better package than the average LS or LT model. However, I would surmise that while the RS badge is just a "package," ultimately it should be considered a separate model given the overall changes that are included with the car.

...But this drags the things off topic...

I am actually rather certain that the Focus RS would ultimately be the faster vehicle by days end. Both the Mustang and Camaro would likely run away from the Focus without much of a problem from a stop, but getting into the twisties, I believe that the RS could make up a significant portion of ground due to the fantastic grip and ability to hold speed. Certainly, the Mustang is no slouch performance wise... And neither is the Camaro, but given that the Cobalt SS is just as fast (if not faster) than both, I see no reason why the RS wouldn't surpass them as well.
 
YSSMAN
Problem is, if the Cobalt SS truly is the faster car, Ford is going to have to lowball the price to remain competitive. That means, ultimately, the RS would have to sticker for no more than $25K.
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I don't think the Cobalt would be faster than the RS, but one has to ask would Americans accept a $30,000 Focus? I'm all for having the Mk. III, but I'd rather not let Ford decide the future of the Focus in America based on the narrow profit margins of a low volume car. Also, as you said, that $30,000 performance price point is more crowded now than it has been since 1993.
 
Toronado
I don't think the Cobalt would be faster than the RS, but one has to ask would Americans accept a $30,000 Focus? I'm all for having the Mk. III, but I'd rather not let Ford decide the future of the Focus in America based on the narrow profit margins of a low volume car. Also, as you said, that $30,000 performance price point is more crowded now than it has been since 1993.
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The only Americans who would actually care would accept the price - like us. If I'm getting 300+ hp, possibly AWD (300+ hp and FWD? yeah right), great handling, overall brilliant performance package, I would cough up the 30 large.
 
YSSMAN
Points to Thread ---> Zeta News 2.0

Yes, I realize that. While I do not wish to debate the semantics of the model designations of the 5th Gen, ultimately saying "Chevrolet Camaro LT V56 RS" comes off as something rather silly when you can just say "Camaro RS V6," get the same effect, and still realize that it is ultimately a better package than the average LS or LT model. However, I would surmise that while the RS badge is just a "package," ultimately it should be considered a separate model given the overall changes that are included with the car.

...But this drags the things off topic...

I am actually rather certain that the Focus RS would ultimately be the faster vehicle by days end. Both the Mustang and Camaro would likely run away from the Focus without much of a problem from a stop, but getting into the twisties, I believe that the RS could make up a significant portion of ground due to the fantastic grip and ability to hold speed. Certainly, the Mustang is no slouch performance wise... And neither is the Camaro, but given that the Cobalt SS is just as fast (if not faster) than both, I see no reason why the RS wouldn't surpass them as well.
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For reference, TG Magazine ran an inverse touge - up a mountain road - with one of the hacks driving the Focus RS and The Stig driving a Ford GT (the press car - 1FMC).

The Stig won. By a second. And apparently I said this back at the end of February.
 
Bones Brigade
A Camaro V6 will pull away from the Focus in a straight line?
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No, but if we're to assume $30K price points, the Camaro SS won't have a problem with that. Its the overall performance limits of both the Camaro and the Mustang that would likely have the RS running away rather quickly, and ultimately, would make for an extremely interesting comparison test if we included the Evolution X just for good measure.
 
YSSMAN
No, but if we're to assume $30K price points, the Camaro SS won't have a problem with that. Its the overall performance limits of both the Camaro and the Mustang that would likely have the RS running away rather quickly, and ultimately, would make for an extremely interesting comparison test if we included the Evolution X just for good measure.
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understood.

It's a shame that the majority of people wouldn't care for that sort of a hodge podge comparison. Although, I guess that's what the Lightning Lap is for...
 
But... how many people do you know who would cross-shop a Camaro and a Focus... I just don't see that happening. Some of the Focus's more pressing competitors: Cobalt SS, Evo X, BMW 135i, WRX STi... I know that the evo and the wrx are awd and the bimmer is rwd, but those are in the same hotted-up small car segment as the focus. That's where the opposition is, and i think the Focus makes the best deal out of all of them.
 
Likewise, I see nobody cross shopping a Ford and BMW. It just happens to be in a similar performance category.

The only way to know for sure whether the Cobalt SS or Focus RS is the better performer is to compare them. Maybe a magazine that ventures overseas often--Road & Track or Automobile--will bother to test them. I can't imagine the Europeans being very interested in the Cobalt, no matter if it's a little bolt of lightening or not.

Or we can just wait for some numbers from European mags.

Also, the is reason for Best Motoring to take a trip and gather some foreigners on Tsukuba. The best all-round FWD performers now come from America and Europe. Sorry Honda, I love you, but 220hp simply is not enough.
 
Wait... what Honda makes 220 hp and is fwd? The Civic Type R? Because the S2000 is rwd... actually that makes more like 240, right?

And I mentioned the BMW because they are roughly 5k pricewise apart.
 

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