RE: New Focus RS confirmed

[Johnnytheboy]

KarlMac said:

macky17 said:

Why would mk2 prices increase? I'd prefer an AWD RS to a FWD one and they'll be plenty of these mk3s about. Prices of mk2s are only as high as they are because places such as RS Direct artificially inflate them.

Finally someone else that sees it. Mk2's will crash as the vain scramble to be seen in the latest fastest thing. Look at how the mk1 tanked when the mk2 came out.

I'm a mk2 owner and I'm certainly expecting this.

[Podie]

vtgts300kw said:

Reminds me of this...

[Podie]

[anonymous-user]

Crikey. If my maths is right, you can get 49.5% of total engine torque to just one of the rear wheels (55%*0.9).

[andygo]

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/focus/89077/new-...

According to the above, you can get 100% to go to one rear wheel. But on the other hand, its Auto Express.

[JulianHJ]

I like it. It's certainly not conventionally pretty, but then what rally rep is?

[oobster]

Henry Wasthisname having a chat with one of the exterior design team:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2N6kZW8SDc

Sounds quite nice when it is being moved around inside the warehouse.

[Carl_Docklands]

oobster said:

Henry Wasthisname having a chat with one of the exterior design team:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2N6kZW8SDc

Sounds quite nice when it is being moved around inside the warehouse.

Good video. I really like the shade of blue on the car.

edit - its a show car colour only and its not in the launch selection of colours which is - White, Grey, Black and RS Blue.

MPSS Standard. Michelin Cup 2 tyres are an option. 235/35/19 tyre at the front. Over 320PS, 6800RPM redline.

70% to the rear wheels with 100% available of that to an individual wheel using a secondary system.

Adjustable suspension (2 selectable types).

Edited by Carl_Docklands on Tuesday 3rd February 21:26

[Zoon]

andygo said:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/focus/89077/new-...

According to the above, you can get 100% to go to one rear wheel. But on the other hand, its Auto Express.

100% of the 70% sent to the rear.

[anonymous-user]

Monsieur Block giving it a rag around the Cologne factory.

http://jalopnik.com/watch-ken-block-hoon-a-ford-fo...

I expected it to be a bit crazier, but it sounds just...okay. Seemed to be a bit tricky to get it to drift at times too.

[Zad]

It does sound a tad agricultural.

[stuckmojo]

I can't believe I am saying this, as a hater of the Mk2, but I actually want one.

[Hellbound]

Zad said:

It does sound a tad agricultural.

Seems to be the biggest concern with the new 2.3; It's characterless and gruff. I'm hoping the RS team do enough to turn this engine into something special.

Very few American journo's are willing to really criticize the new engine so it's difficult to get a handle on things. Everything I've read so far relating to the 2.3 has been luke warm; It's quick but not as refined as it could be, and that's about it. We'll just have to wait for reviews of the RHD Mustang here in the UK and also see what Mountune think of the new engine, keeping in mind that it's still in development.

[Atmospheric]

This will be better than any of the VAG competitors if the ST models are anything to go by.

I like alot.

[Zad]

I suppose that, to be fair, the classic Sierra / Escort Cosworth 2.0 was never exactly charismatic with respect to the sound it made. Certainly in standard trim. It is no BDA anyway. I suppose turbos will always do that to an engine, as we have seen in F1. Even this year's crop of engines aren't exactly symphony orchestras.

With regards to CO2, what Ford could (but probably won't) do is make available a factory fit LPG option. Turbo engines quite like to use LPG, I understand it has a higher effective octane rating than petrol, so enabling more aggressive timing, and the vapourisation cools the inlet charge.

[David87]

Be interesting to see what Mountune do with it. MP370?

[Zad]

I'm expecting the headline power to be more than it is in Mustang tune, otherwise the 4-pot Mustang is going to eat into its market for less money. They claim "over 320ps", and really they have to beat the 345 put out by the Focus RS500, so 350 seems possible. That would surely make 400 temptingly close for Mountune, maybe even more. Not being a showroom product, it wouldn't be competing with the V8 pony.

I would love to see these homologated for a rally championship!

[Centurion07]

Zad said:

I'm expecting the headline power to be more than it is in Mustang tune, otherwise the 4-pot Mustang is going to eat into its market for less money. They claim "over 320ps", and really they have to beat the 345 put out by the Focus RS500, so 350 seems possible. That would surely make 400 temptingly close for Mountune, maybe even more. Not being a showroom product, it wouldn't be competing with the V8 pony.

I would love to see these homologated for a rally championship!

Really? You think someone would decide to buy a RWD, 2+2 coupe the size of a Mondeo estate, instead of a smaller, 4WD family car, because it puts out a few more BHP? They're totally different cars so I don't think it's an issue.

[Zad]

Yep, I think most buyers just aren't as clued up as PHers are, they would rather go for the relatively glamorous rare name with a headline power output, rather than a little shopping Focus. They would be wrong, of course, but this is a world where a silver 2 litre diesel that drives like the Torrey Canyon is seen as a premium aspirational car.

[Hol]

Am I the only one just a little dissapointed, that it isn't going to have a proper Assymetrical full time AWD system.