RE: Focus RS - the next generation
Discussion
stuart-b said:
loudlashadjuster said:
Cost. Plain & simple.
The Sierra (and Escort that was basically a cut-down Sierra) was obviously a RWD car to start with and it is generally easier to go RWD>4WD than FWD>4WD.
Add to this the fact that the current Euro Ford range doesn't even boast any RWD models any more (i.e. no parts bin to raid and no knock-on benefits to other models) and you're looking at developing a bespoke platform for, at best, a few thousand sales.
Not going to happen.
I believe the Escort lost RWD after the mark 2. Mark 3 onwards were FWD. They managed to make an Escort RS that started life as FWD, why not do it again? Cost.The Sierra (and Escort that was basically a cut-down Sierra) was obviously a RWD car to start with and it is generally easier to go RWD>4WD than FWD>4WD.
Add to this the fact that the current Euro Ford range doesn't even boast any RWD models any more (i.e. no parts bin to raid and no knock-on benefits to other models) and you're looking at developing a bespoke platform for, at best, a few thousand sales.
Not going to happen.
epom said:
The fiesta with a WRC bodykit, and 350bhp and then we might be getting somewhere. Maybe even throw in some 4wd and its already available as a 3 door. All problems sorted 
Frankly I'd rather this too. The 3-door Fiesta looks ace. 350bhp 4WD in one of those would be perfect. Sod the bootspace.The new Ford Mondeo/Fusion has a 4wd system
http://www.carsuk.net/2013-ford-fusion-arrives-as-...
And the Taurus SHO has the 3.5 V6 ecoboost and 4wd set up with 365bhp.
Maybe Fords new Global Family plan is to keep the Focus FWD and "low spec" and maybe issue a new Mondeo/Fusion ST or RS "global performance car, with 400BHP+ and 4wd to take on the likes of the Audi Rs4/C63 AMG/ M3 etc!????
http://www.carsuk.net/2013-ford-fusion-arrives-as-...
And the Taurus SHO has the 3.5 V6 ecoboost and 4wd set up with 365bhp.
Maybe Fords new Global Family plan is to keep the Focus FWD and "low spec" and maybe issue a new Mondeo/Fusion ST or RS "global performance car, with 400BHP+ and 4wd to take on the likes of the Audi Rs4/C63 AMG/ M3 etc!????
SonicHedgeHog said:
Here's a question for all you power junkies out there. My old TVR had 350bhp, RWD and weight just over a tonne. The only time I could apply pedal-to-the-metal was on a dry motorway/dual carriageway. How often do you really expect to try and deploy all 350bhp in first gear? If I buy one of these (and I'm really thinking about it) I can't think of any situation outside of a multi-lane road where I'd be able to deploy all 350bhp even if it had 10wd.
I have a 420bhp V8 RX7 as my daily driver, I apply all 420bhp in all gears in the dry (where possible)- the way it snakes up the road is the reason I enjoy it.Admittedly in the damp I have to be more progressive when accelerating otherwise it'll throw itself off the road.
I you can't / don't use the power - there's no point having it.
When did 250bhp become a 'warm' hatch?
It used to be any hatchback that could knock out over about 150bhp was considered hot, now it seems you need over 200bhp just to be considered warm.
Can we have a KA RS instead please? Tweaked ecoboost engine with around 180bhp and under 900kg would be awesome fun and if you can butch the styling up it'll steal a lot of sales from the now bloated hot hatch market.
It used to be any hatchback that could knock out over about 150bhp was considered hot, now it seems you need over 200bhp just to be considered warm.
Can we have a KA RS instead please? Tweaked ecoboost engine with around 180bhp and under 900kg would be awesome fun and if you can butch the styling up it'll steal a lot of sales from the now bloated hot hatch market.
y2blade said:
renrut said:
Can we have a KA RS instead please? Tweaked ecoboost engine with around 180bhp and under 900kg would be awesome fun and if you can butch the styling up it'll steal a lot of sales from the now bloated hot hatch market.
That is a very good shout 
doogz said:
Who's going to buy it?
Girls don't want beefy steroid-full looking cars, young boys aren't going to want to drive a KA, despite 180bhp, because they'll look queer, and who else is going to spend that sort of money on a new car, with that spec, over the MINI or Polo?
The fiat 500 abarth sells well doesn't it?Girls don't want beefy steroid-full looking cars, young boys aren't going to want to drive a KA, despite 180bhp, because they'll look queer, and who else is going to spend that sort of money on a new car, with that spec, over the MINI or Polo?
RobCrezz said:
If they decided to go AWD - Instead of using a Haldex made system, they should licence in the AWD system from Mitsubishi...
Agreed, I was astonished how good it is in the recent torrential rain, truly astounding traction despite worn summer tyres. Would love to see the focus with a similar system.
doogz said:
Who's going to buy it?
Girls don't want beefy steroid-full looking cars, young boys aren't going to want to drive a KA, despite 180bhp, because they'll look queer, and who else is going to spend that sort of money on a new car, with that spec, over the MINI or Polo?
Ah but what sort of money? I suspect you could have one on the road for maybe £12K with 200bhp/ton and you could do what the great hot hatches of the past have done and rob bigger/uprated bits from the next model up or from previous hot models to keep costs down. Upgrade the interior a bit and I did say butch up the styling to change the target market.Girls don't want beefy steroid-full looking cars, young boys aren't going to want to drive a KA, despite 180bhp, because they'll look queer, and who else is going to spend that sort of money on a new car, with that spec, over the MINI or Polo?
A new Mini cooper S is what £18K and massively heavier (1200kg+) than that so this would be faster. Is there even a decent hot Polo at the minute?
IMO get the styling right, get it some giant-slaying publicity on Top Gear (i.e. street cred) and it'll sell like hot cakes to the young lads who are old enough to afford something a bit quicker but don't need massive load capacity. Think Fiat 500 Abarth SS not Micra SR.
One question would flaring the arches massively require lots of retesting for crash safety or could they just get on and do it?
I don't quite understand this thirst for as much power as physiclly possible. On the road you might use it once or twice, but if you use it too often, you're bound to lose your licence after a while. Keep the same engine as the ST, and give it more trick handling, possiby lower the weight a bit too. Fibreglass body panels etc, or possibly aluminium. New exhaust and the likes?
LuS1fer said:
Funny how Rover managed to convert the 75 to a RWD V8 for about 5 shillings then.
I'm not clear why there is no 3 door. The Scirocco is effectively a 3 door Golf and sells in droves (inexplicably).
I know the Mustang is coming but I still think a 3 door "Capri" is a better idea.
Yes, but remind me what happened to Rover shortly after? Was the RWD version a huge success? I seem to remember that despite having a saddle shaped tank and some space for a transmission tunnel, the 75 was a biatch to convert to RWD. I have read stories that it was much more difficult than originall predicted and used some "interesting" engineering solutions (bodge of the centrally mounted damper to locate the axle). I'm not clear why there is no 3 door. The Scirocco is effectively a 3 door Golf and sells in droves (inexplicably).
I know the Mustang is coming but I still think a 3 door "Capri" is a better idea.
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