RE: Ford Focus RS: Rebirth of an icon
Discussion
Having 5 doors, subtle looks, first AWD Ford since the Escort RS Cosworth made me put a deposit down straight away. Wife wouldn't be seen dead in the Mk2 
, so had it had wilder styling I would have been out, the Mk1 & Mk2 were both great cars but both suffered from torque steer and the interiors were pretty dull, seats aside.
If you want one, think you will be lucky to get a brand new one pre Christmas next year so whilst it may not be for everyone I think they are on to a winner. Mountune are already working on upgrades for those who may want a bit more punch!
, so had it had wilder styling I would have been out, the Mk1 & Mk2 were both great cars but both suffered from torque steer and the interiors were pretty dull, seats aside.If you want one, think you will be lucky to get a brand new one pre Christmas next year so whilst it may not be for everyone I think they are on to a winner. Mountune are already working on upgrades for those who may want a bit more punch!
I'm really against 5 door hot hatches too because I have always looked at them as 3 door no matter what make or model.
But even I must admit after seeing the rebirth 2 video where they show the interior that the stealthy grey RS looked amazing. And I think the front and back look aggressive, it's just the side profile where you can see the length and that extra door that doesn't do it for me.
But even I must admit after seeing the rebirth 2 video where they show the interior that the stealthy grey RS looked amazing. And I think the front and back look aggressive, it's just the side profile where you can see the length and that extra door that doesn't do it for me.
Escort Si-130 said:
ewww at dog, car would then stinks of doggy odour and drool.
I use one of these:framerateuk said:
Love the 5 door idea. Means I can stick the dog in the back without having to fold the front seats down.
I'm very tempted, but I may wait for reviews first.
I'm very tempted, but I may wait for reviews first.
The dog loves it as it's got his blanket in it and if it gets dirty you just hose it down.
That said....if he's wet we use the other half's car...
One reason that Ford will want to raise the US profile of the Focus RS is that the performance market has long since unraveled into a kaleidoscope of choice.
Among the many yarns in this story is the unparalleled success of the Japanese -- especially in the trend-setting and youth-oriented car culture of California. Focus RS now makes Ford more relevant to that segment of the market.
coppice said:
So "Icon " now means a hot hatch which some people bought and quite liked does it ? Genuinely iconic Fords are few - Model T , GT40 , Mustang , RS1800 Escort and , at a push Sierra Cosworth and Lotus Cortina. That's it.
I wasn't aware there was an official arbiter for iconic car status, until now 
Joking aside the RS brand is (to me) an iconic one, though I wouldn't say one of the Focus would be the most iconic within the brand. But hey it's marketing BS so who cares.
k-ink said:
It's bloody huge isn't it. More like a family estate car. Hardly a hot hatch by any stretch. I'm sure they'll sell a load to families bored of MPVs though.
It's really no bigger than anything else in the same sector - are the Megane, Golf and Civic not hot hatches either? I doubt it's any longer than the last RS eitherAudi Boy said:
IanJ9375 said:
So the past 5 years of sales of Focus you've not realised that it's 5dr only? 2200 deposits and orders down before anyone has had a chance to drive it says you're wrong I'm afraid.
Sure the Cosworth was a boring 4cylinder engine - look beyond the last car and see that RS meant more than a Volvo engine in a fwd car
I had a Brand New MK2 Focus RS back in 2010 & to be honest, I found it a Fantastic Car........that good, I ended up keeping it for nearly 4 years, which is a really long time for me, as I usually get Bored at around 2 years! The Looks gave it a huge Presence on the roads & the Combination of the 2.5 Engine & Crackling/Banging Exhaust sounds, it really felt like a Road-Going Rally Car, making it so much Fun to Drive!Sure the Cosworth was a boring 4cylinder engine - look beyond the last car and see that RS meant more than a Volvo engine in a fwd car
Edited by IanJ9375 on Thursday 15th October 16:28
During the Period I owned it & saw the New Focus coming out, I have to say, I was very Disappointed with its Frumpy Styling(mainly due to it being 5 Door)& really Cheap/Plastic looking Interior, but thought that when Ford would eventually Release its Updated Sporty 'ST' & Flagship 'RS' versions, the 3 Door look would be back & they'd really go to town on the Interior! Unfortunately, Ford did'nt go down that route & stuck with the Shoe-like 5 Door Body Design, Cheaper looking Interior(obviously for Costs!) & to put the final nail in the Coffin, Dropped down to a boring-sounding uninvolving 4 Cylinder Engine.............at this point, I knew this Generation Ford RS would'nt be for me & switched to another Brand!
Obviously, there'll always be 'Die-Hard' Ford RS Enthusiasts, that will put down early Deposits/Buy the Latest version, without trying them, whether there Good or Bad & lets face it, this New one is pretty Cheap in Comparison to its Rivals(i.e New Audi RS3 & Mercedes A45 AMG), for the Performance/Spec it has!
In its day, the original Ford Cosworth(minus the Sapphire) was a really Good/Class-Leading Car & during the 80's, 4 Cylinder Engines were pretty much the Norm, but even back then, they did'nt sound particularly good, as Engines between 2.0-3.0 Litre are pretty Droneless ...........Engines below, like the 1.6 Escort RS Turbo actually Sounded alot better! Thing is, in Todays world, we've now all been Spoilt with many Cars having 5Pots, V8's & V10's in them, which make the Car Feel/Drive in a different League!!
I'm guessing IanJ9375, that you've never Owned a MK2 Focus RS, to understand how Important that 5Cylinder Volvo 2.5 Unit actually was in that Car. Dont get me wrong, the Looks, Interior & Handling are Factors too, but that great Engine really was the main Party Piece that made that Car!!
I'm sure that people that have only been use to 4 Cylinder Engines(below 2.5 Litres), would still enjoy the New Focus RS & find it a really nice Car, but anyone thats a pure Petrol-Head & been lucky enough to Own the likes of the MK2 Focus RS, V6's, V8's etc, will be Hugely Disappointed in it!!
Anyone thats seriously looking at going down the route of a Ford RS, I'd Recommend going for a MK2 Focus instead, as there a true Drivers Car & becoming a real Investment now, whereas Ford will be Churning the New ones out like no tomorrow, with Mass Production no doubt!
Edited by Audi Boy on Thursday 15th October 18:00
Edited by Audi Boy on Thursday 15th October 18:01
Edited by Audi Boy on Thursday 15th October 18:10
I had a focus ST 2.5T and have a Volvo 5pot now too. Great engines no doubt.
This car will be much more than just the engine unlike the mk2.
Awd, faster, better handling and loads more technology by all acvounts. I will drive one before I judge if its much better or a bit worse but I doubt very much its the latter.
This car will be much more than just the engine unlike the mk2.
Awd, faster, better handling and loads more technology by all acvounts. I will drive one before I judge if its much better or a bit worse but I doubt very much its the latter.
Audi Boy said:
IanJ9375 said:
So the past 5 years of sales of Focus you've not realised that it's 5dr only? 2200 deposits and orders down before anyone has had a chance to drive it says you're wrong I'm afraid.
Sure the Cosworth was a boring 4cylinder engine - look beyond the last car and see that RS meant more than a Volvo engine in a fwd car
I had a Brand New MK2 Focus RS back in 2010 & to be honest, I found it a Fantastic Car........that good, I ended up keeping it for nearly 4 years, which is a really long time for me, as I usually get Bored at around 2 years! The Looks gave it a huge Presence on the roads & the Combination of the 2.5 Engine & Crackling/Banging Exhaust sounds, it really felt like a Road-Going Rally Car, making it so much Fun to Drive!Sure the Cosworth was a boring 4cylinder engine - look beyond the last car and see that RS meant more than a Volvo engine in a fwd car
Edited by IanJ9375 on Thursday 15th October 16:28
During the Period I owned it & saw the New Focus coming out, I have to say, I was very Disappointed with its Frumpy Styling(mainly due to it being 5 Door)& really Cheap/Plastic looking Interior, but thought that when Ford would eventually Release its Updated Sporty 'ST' & Flagship 'RS' versions, the 3 Door look would be back & they'd really go to town on the Interior! Unfortunately, Ford did'nt go down that route & stuck with the Shoe-like 5 Door Body Design, Cheaper looking Interior(obviously for Costs!) & to put the final nail in the Coffin, Dropped down to a boring-sounding uninvolving 4 Cylinder Engine.............at this point, I knew this Generation Ford RS would'nt be for me & switched to another Brand!
Obviously, there'll always be 'Die-Hard' Ford RS Enthusiasts, that will put down early Deposits/Buy the Latest version, without trying them, whether there Good or Bad & lets face it, this New one is pretty Cheap in Comparison to its Rivals(i.e New Audi RS3 & Mercedes A45 AMG), for the Performance/Spec it has!
In its day, the original Ford Cosworth(minus the Sapphire) was a really Good/Class-Leading Car & during the 80's, 4 Cylinder Engines were pretty much the Norm, but even back then, they did'nt sound particularly good, as Engines between 2.0-3.0 Litre are pretty Droneless ...........Engines below, like the 1.6 Escort RS Turbo actually Sounded alot better! Thing is, in Todays world, we've now all been Spoilt with many Cars having 5Pots, V8's & V10's in them, which make the Car Feel/Drive in a different League!!
I'm guessing IanJ9375, that you've never Owned a MK2 Focus RS, to understand how Important that 5Cylinder Volvo 2.5 Unit actually was in that Car. Dont get me wrong, the Looks, Interior & Handling are Factors too, but that great Engine really was the main Party Piece that made that Car!!
I'm sure that people that have only been use to 4 Cylinder Engines(below 2.5 Litres), would still enjoy the New Focus RS & find it a really nice Car, but anyone thats a pure Petrol-Head & been lucky enough to Own the likes of the MK2 Focus RS, V6's, V8's etc, will be Hugely Disappointed in it!!
Anyone thats seriously looking at going down the route of a Ford RS, I'd Recommend going for a MK2 Focus instead, as there a true Drivers Car & becoming a real Investment now, whereas Ford will be Churning the New ones out like no tomorrow, with Mass Production no doubt!
Edited by Audi Boy on Thursday 15th October 18:00
Edited by Audi Boy on Thursday 15th October 18:01
Edited by Audi Boy on Thursday 15th October 18:10
The five cyclinder had the noise but the original four had all the buzz that was required and the willingness to hit the redline, I have no doubt this new engine will be super too!
Dal3D said:
Base price is going up as from tomorrow from £28,940 to £29,995.
Those with orders already in won't be affected.
Thats a considerable jump, exchange rate variance?Those with orders already in won't be affected.
Still not happy about the Rallye Sport brand been diluted into youth culture trinket stuck on the top trim level. Are Ford actually going to take these racing?
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