RE: Ford Focus RS - full details
Discussion
macky17 said:
fireball-xl5 said:
well done Ford, 10 years late to the party that you started. At least the car nearly has as much power as my old 2007 impreza RB320 but I bet it won't have the reliability. But with a nice interior and plenty of bling to blind new buyers - who cares?
Reliability as in head gasket and ringland failure? No, I hope the RS doesn't have the 2.5 scoobie engine's reliability. (Owned an rb320 and loved it but reliable???)
(this is a joke / lighthearted mr fireball!).
macky17 said:
Is it just me that thinks the Golf R looks wholly and unforgivably unremarkable? I mean I get 'subtle' but why settle for 'boring'? Is it out of some misplaced desire to look 'classy'? Is it just a car for people who are used to not being noticed? I don't get it. It's a fast car - a hot hatch - why would you want it to look so ordinary? So the police don't look twice? Trust me, a traffic cop knows what it is so you may as well go to town a little.
Given that 99.9999999% of speeding fines are handed out by machines you might as well drive something that looks like a dragster, for all the difference it will make. I've been driving my mk2 RS like a joyrider for five years and I've never been pulled over.
fireball-xl5 said:
well done Ford, 10 years late to the party that you started. At least the car nearly has as much power as my old 2007 impreza RB320 but I bet it won't have the reliability. But with a nice interior and plenty of bling to blind new buyers - who cares?
Hmm, does that include Piston Slap, loss of Compression, broken Pistons, oil Consumption, melted valves, Big End Failures like Imprezas can suffer from ?macky17 said:
Is it just me that thinks the Golf R looks wholly and unforgivably unremarkable? I mean I get 'subtle' but why settle for 'boring'? Is it out of some misplaced desire to look 'classy'? Is it just a car for people who are used to not being noticed? I don't get it. It's a fast car - a hot hatch - why would you want it to look so ordinary? So the police don't look twice? Trust me, a traffic cop knows what it is so you may as well go to town a little.
actually most police wont, my MKV R32 was badged 2.0 TDi and of the 6 police "chats" I had with it only one knew what it was when he stopped me "the exhausts in the middle gave it away", the rest only knew once they had run the plate, one wanted to check to see if it was a diesel ...As someone who used to sell Mitsuibishi Evo's, from VIII up to X (the IX MR FQ360 was the best) I am still surprised that the current crop of high power hatches are a good 0.5 to 1 second slower to 60 mph than an FQ330 or FQ 360. I bet they are not as sharp to drive either. The 4G63 (up to Evo IX) is an amazing engine, full stop.
As for the new RS, I like it, but I would much rather own a Mustang GT five-point-O, especially given the similar pricing.
As for interior quality, I really don't think you buy a hatchback for interior ambience. Yes it should be nicely trimmed and feel solid, but when you bear in mind that my parent's Jaguar XF V6 petrol cost similar money to a Focus RS or Golf R when new, there really is not contest where interior ambience is concerned (it you want an XF with similar performance to a RS/Golf R, be prepared to spend £50k plus.
Now, I own both a Focus ST Mk2 and a Focus 1.6 turbo Zetec-S Mk3. My brother owns a Golf GTI edition 30. I would honestly say that Mk2 has the better styled and trimmed interior (much thicker carpet, more solid and better grained plastics) than the Mk3 Focus. The ST has a better level of finish to switch packs, seats, dash etc. than lesser Focus Mk2s. The Mk2 also feels more solid from a door shut point of view. However, the MK3 is quieter, with the exception of tyre noise, which is much louder than in the ST. In comparison with my brothers Golf, I would honestly say that there is very little difference in trim quality between the Golf and the Mk2 ST. It terms of styling (subjective) it is orange inserts/floor mat edging in the Ford vs Tartan trim in the Golf. Neither is completely subtle!
As for the 2.3 motor in the RS, it is a very strong unit. Mazda used version of this engine in the 3 MPS, 6 MPS and CX7. Early versions of the engine did suffer a problem (oil supply? I can't honestly remember) but once resolved, it has proved to be very reliable. It is also very effective, even in a car the size of a CX7, it has plenty of power and flexibility (I also used to sell Mazda). My only concern, especially when comparing it to the old 2.5 five cylinder in the MK2 ST/RS is it is a rather dull sounding engine, though no more dull than most 4-pots (4G63 and Alfa four cylinders excepted).
As for the new RS, I like it, but I would much rather own a Mustang GT five-point-O, especially given the similar pricing.
As for interior quality, I really don't think you buy a hatchback for interior ambience. Yes it should be nicely trimmed and feel solid, but when you bear in mind that my parent's Jaguar XF V6 petrol cost similar money to a Focus RS or Golf R when new, there really is not contest where interior ambience is concerned (it you want an XF with similar performance to a RS/Golf R, be prepared to spend £50k plus.
Now, I own both a Focus ST Mk2 and a Focus 1.6 turbo Zetec-S Mk3. My brother owns a Golf GTI edition 30. I would honestly say that Mk2 has the better styled and trimmed interior (much thicker carpet, more solid and better grained plastics) than the Mk3 Focus. The ST has a better level of finish to switch packs, seats, dash etc. than lesser Focus Mk2s. The Mk2 also feels more solid from a door shut point of view. However, the MK3 is quieter, with the exception of tyre noise, which is much louder than in the ST. In comparison with my brothers Golf, I would honestly say that there is very little difference in trim quality between the Golf and the Mk2 ST. It terms of styling (subjective) it is orange inserts/floor mat edging in the Ford vs Tartan trim in the Golf. Neither is completely subtle!
As for the 2.3 motor in the RS, it is a very strong unit. Mazda used version of this engine in the 3 MPS, 6 MPS and CX7. Early versions of the engine did suffer a problem (oil supply? I can't honestly remember) but once resolved, it has proved to be very reliable. It is also very effective, even in a car the size of a CX7, it has plenty of power and flexibility (I also used to sell Mazda). My only concern, especially when comparing it to the old 2.5 five cylinder in the MK2 ST/RS is it is a rather dull sounding engine, though no more dull than most 4-pots (4G63 and Alfa four cylinders excepted).
Alex P said:
As for the 2.3 motor in the RS, it is a very strong unit. Mazda used version of this engine in the 3 MPS, 6 MPS and CX7. Early versions of the engine did suffer a problem (oil supply? I can't honestly remember) but once resolved, it has proved to be very reliable. It is also very effective, even in a car the size of a CX7, it has plenty of power and flexibility (I also used to sell Mazda). My only concern, especially when comparing it to the old 2.5 five cylinder in the MK2 ST/RS is it is a rather dull sounding engine, though no more dull than most 4-pots (4G63 and Alfa four cylinders excepted).
Cam chain tensioners, VVTi and a few rods through the blocks. All fixed. IMO the MPS Exhaust note is nicer than my 2.5T but then the Focus ST/RS has a nicer exhaust than the Mondeo!
Engine itself sounds nicer in the 2.5T.
I bet it's brilliant.
A '08+ hatchback Impreza STI with the Prodrive kit is probably quite close in theory. Maybe not as quick on track but most never see one. Obviously not as 'nice' a package all round, but 5 doors, adjustable 4wd, 330ps, manual, flared bodywork, etc. The newer ones are more refined than the older versions too, so arguably more usable. Plus they have a bit of character, unlike the new VAG stuff.
A '08+ hatchback Impreza STI with the Prodrive kit is probably quite close in theory. Maybe not as quick on track but most never see one. Obviously not as 'nice' a package all round, but 5 doors, adjustable 4wd, 330ps, manual, flared bodywork, etc. The newer ones are more refined than the older versions too, so arguably more usable. Plus they have a bit of character, unlike the new VAG stuff.
Edited by mmcd87 on Wednesday 4th February 13:53
CS400 said:
I find that last statement interesting. Can you explain why, when I took my 8 year old son in a Golf R and was pushing it to its limits, he turned to me and asked "when are you going to have some fun and push it to the edge"! 
This will invoke the usual PH flaming but, since moving back to FWD from AWD, I'm having more fun at lower speeds. The Evo X and 330S were so quick, so grippy and did so much of the driving skill for me that they never made me smile much. Very quick, yes, but so much so that they just sneered at my puny attempts to go quickly. With FWD again, after a good decade, it's actually fun to feel the wheel tug and the front wheels scrabbling. No, it's not quick, but it's interactive, and that's grossly missing from so many AWD cars. After years of placing things in the usual PH order of RWD>AWD>FWD, the last two would now get reversed, unless you're a WRC driver. mmcd87 said:
I bet it's brilliant.
A '08+ hatchback Impreza STI with the Prodrive kit is probably quite close in theory. Maybe not as quick on track but most never see one. Obviously not as 'nice' a package all round, but 5 doors, adjustable 4wd, 330ps, manual, flared bodywork, etc. The newer ones are more refined than the older versions too, so arguably more usable. Plus they have a bit of character, unlike the new VAG stuff.
I had the STI 330S. Trust me, it's not got 330bhp. I'd rate them more around 360+ and most dynes of stock cars agree. It was underplayed because they were preparing the CS400. The Evo X FQ330 was far slower.A '08+ hatchback Impreza STI with the Prodrive kit is probably quite close in theory. Maybe not as quick on track but most never see one. Obviously not as 'nice' a package all round, but 5 doors, adjustable 4wd, 330ps, manual, flared bodywork, etc. The newer ones are more refined than the older versions too, so arguably more usable. Plus they have a bit of character, unlike the new VAG stuff.
Fastdruid said:
chuntington101 said:
I see this car being a Ford tuners dream car. The 2.3 should be pretty tuneable with bolt on mods. And with it being used in the stang as well, the harder core stuff (forged bottom ends, cams etc) should also be available.
Are these direct injection now?
Yes. It's a derivative of the Mazda L3-VDT 2.3L DISI Turbo engine (ie the one in the 3 & 6 MPS) engine which was direct injection 10 years ago.Are these direct injection now?
The Mk2 3 MPS had forged steel crank, forged alloy conrods and forged alloy pistons so I'd be shocked if the greater power'd Ecoboost doesn't.
Do you know if this engine has the exhaust track built into the head like the 1.0 Ecoboost engines?
Alex P said:
As someone who used to sell Mitsuibishi Evo's, from VIII up to X (the IX MR FQ360 was the best) I am still surprised that the current crop of high power hatches are a good 0.5 to 1 second slower to 60 mph than an FQ330 or FQ 360.
Can't speak for the pre Evo Xs but my X FQ330 SST never hit 60 in the quoted 4.4secs, ever! 5 seconds was average and, on a very good day, it could manage 4.8 if you were lucky. Far, far too heavy. My older STI 330S would have monstered it.
KarlMac said:
No they didn't.
"Engineered by Performance Car Enthusiasts The Focus RS500 engine has been modified by a team from Ford TeamRS in partnership with Revolve Technologies, the automotive engineering firm which develops Ford approved performance upgrades through its Mountune Performance brand. "
You are aware that Cosworth is owned by Kahn? They're more likely to provide a nasty bodykit and 20" alloys.
Calm down poppet! "Engineered by Performance Car Enthusiasts The Focus RS500 engine has been modified by a team from Ford TeamRS in partnership with Revolve Technologies, the automotive engineering firm which develops Ford approved performance upgrades through its Mountune Performance brand. "
You are aware that Cosworth is owned by Kahn? They're more likely to provide a nasty bodykit and 20" alloys.
Cosworth is also very much still its own company - http://www.cosworth.com/about/company-history/
It just lends out the name to Kahn to butcher 4X4's.
framerateuk said:
That was actually Mountune. The RS500 was basically the Mountune 350 upgrade with a black wrap.
I realised my mistake, just failed to correct it in time so let it run. I must've got all nostalgic about proper RS500's 
And got confused with the Cossie STI Hatch that launched at the same time as the Focus
dinz said:
On the obviously touchy subject of build quality, the Golf R isn't great. It's a good couple of rungs down the ladder from my previous A4 Avant and TT Coupe, but it's a damn sight better than the 2011 Focus Titanium X my wife had for two years. That thing was awful. Cheap plastic body panels (they felt plastic when they flexed in and out like a wobble board when washing it anyway!) and horrible, cheap plastic interior. This was a £22k car that felt like a £10k budget special!
Really? We've had a Focus Mk3 since new in 2011 and it's been great. No squeaks or rattles and cruises quietly on the motorway at 80mph with the comfort you'd expect from a much larger car. Plastic body panels are quite common these days, my brother's old A6 also had plastic front wings.Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 4th February 14:01
macky17 said:
Is it just me that thinks the Golf R looks wholly and unforgivably unremarkable? I mean I get 'subtle' but why settle for 'boring'? Is it out of some misplaced desire to look 'classy'? Is it just a car for people who are used to not being noticed? I don't get it. It's a fast car - a hot hatch - why would you want it to look so ordinary? So the police don't look twice? Trust me, a traffic cop knows what it is so you may as well go to town a little.
This. The Mk6 did it right, in a slightly heavy handed, slab sided, way. It at least looked more aggressive than a GTi.RyanTank said:
Calm down poppet! wink
Cosworth is also very much still its own company - http://www.cosworth.com/about/company-history/
It just lends out the name to Kahn to butcher 4X4's.
Thats the race technology bit. Never going to touch a road car. That part was sold off to VW, which became Mahle. Cosworth is also very much still its own company - http://www.cosworth.com/about/company-history/
It just lends out the name to Kahn to butcher 4X4's.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAHLE_Powertrain
Perfectly calm, thanks treacle.
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