RE: Ford Focus RS: PH Fleet
Discussion
GroundEffect said:
AMGJocky said:
Only seen one on the road thus far and it did look good in that blue. Sounded like a Saxo mind.
I've seen loads...but I am in Essex afterall 
With all the moaning about them not making a three door body shell, I think they should have gone the whole hog and made an estate version. Certainly looks better than the hatch, and it would have been like a mini Audi RS
As for what PH should do with it, how about take the seat mounting apart and see if you can get it lower
RedTrident said:
Do a comparison with the a45 amg you reviewed recently. Perhaps throw in a s3 saloon and the golf r. Help a brother out....
It looks good from what I've seen so far. Looking forward to the updates.
Auto trader did a 10 car hot hatch shoot out a few months ago with the focus incl the ctr, a45 and rs3 It looks good from what I've seen so far. Looking forward to the updates.
RamboLambo said:
As good as the new focus RS is, it has too many doors and looks just like the rest of the range. Yes it might have broader appeal and sell more but the mark II still looks and sounds better.
The mark III will not have the same hardcore enthusiast following and longer term Mark II prices will be higher than mark III's IMHO
Despite the fact they're still fetching more than list and we're 9 months down the line from the first deliveries? I absolutely think the Mk3 will have the same hardcore enthusiast following. It's a 4WD 350bhp hot hatch for Pete's sake!The mark III will not have the same hardcore enthusiast following and longer term Mark II prices will be higher than mark III's IMHO
Dave Hedgehog said:
Auto trader did a 10 car hot hatch shoot out a few months ago with the focus incl the ctr, a45 and rs3
Thanks. Really enjoyed that. I run around in the earlier a45 amg. This version is clearly that bit better, particularly the gear change which on my version is OK.Interesting to see that they felt the Ford had better feel whilst not giving away much in speed. The interior is in a different league obviously with the price difference.
Dave Hedgehog said:
RamboLambo said:
As good as the new focus RS is, it has too many doors and looks just like the rest of the range. Yes it might have broader appeal and sell more but the mark II still looks and sounds better.
The mark III will not have the same hardcore enthusiast following and longer term Mark II prices will be higher than mark III's IMHO
some good points but the II is a cheap FWD job where as the III is a proper return to roots AWD carThe mark III will not have the same hardcore enthusiast following and longer term Mark II prices will be higher than mark III's IMHO
RedTrident said:
Dave Hedgehog said:
Auto trader did a 10 car hot hatch shoot out a few months ago with the focus incl the ctr, a45 and rs3
Thanks. Really enjoyed that. I run around in the earlier a45 amg. This version is clearly that bit better, particularly the gear change which on my version is OK.Interesting to see that they felt the Ford had better feel whilst not giving away much in speed. The interior is in a different league obviously with the price difference.
) i have driven both versions and the changes (diff, mag ride, gearbox) really transform the car IMOhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w24khR2XhvI
Had my RS since June ( Australian delivery). I really can't see where these reviewers are finding the Recaro seats to be so high. A variety of people of all shapes and sizes have sat in/ driven mine, not one person has made this comment, like wise the alleged firm ride, but then again the performance versus comfort trade off is very subjective is it not? I suppose these poor old road testers for magazines have to juggle a lot of balls in the air at the same time, to keep the advertisers and editors happy somehow. Being the owner amongst other things of a Caterham Super Seven, a Holden Torana XU1 road registered ex Group C race car plus a few others it may be my eclectic mix of cars has clouded my opinion, however I will say that the RS continues to amaze every time I take it out. Well done Ford! I
caterham2 said:
Had my RS since June ( Australian delivery). I really can't see where these reviewers are finding the Recaro seats to be so high. A variety of people of all shapes and sizes have sat in/ driven mine, not one person has made this comment, like wise the alleged firm ride, but then again the performance versus comfort trade off is very subjective is it not? I suppose these poor old road testers for magazines have to juggle a lot of balls in the air at the same time, to keep the advertisers and editors happy somehow. Being the owner amongst other things of a Caterham Super Seven, a Holden Torana XU1 road registered ex Group C race car plus a few others it may be my eclectic mix of cars has clouded my opinion, however I will say that the RS continues to amaze every time I take it out. Well done Ford! I
I took one out in March and the first thing I noticed was the height of the seats.When I jumped back in my Golf R it felt much lower and wider. Someone made the comment that the CS seats make you feel like your sitting on the car rather than in the car, sums my feelings up perfectly. I also find the high seats made the cabin feel narrower, highlighted again by jumping straight into the Golf.
I ordered them anyway but I will be keeping an eye out for any modifications to combat the issue
Tuvra said:
caterham2 said:
Had my RS since June ( Australian delivery). I really can't see where these reviewers are finding the Recaro seats to be so high. A variety of people of all shapes and sizes have sat in/ driven mine, not one person has made this comment, like wise the alleged firm ride, but then again the performance versus comfort trade off is very subjective is it not? I suppose these poor old road testers for magazines have to juggle a lot of balls in the air at the same time, to keep the advertisers and editors happy somehow. Being the owner amongst other things of a Caterham Super Seven, a Holden Torana XU1 road registered ex Group C race car plus a few others it may be my eclectic mix of cars has clouded my opinion, however I will say that the RS continues to amaze every time I take it out. Well done Ford! I
I took one out in March and the first thing I noticed was the height of the seats.When I jumped back in my Golf R it felt much lower and wider. Someone made the comment that the CS seats make you feel like your sitting on the car rather than in the car, sums my feelings up perfectly. I also find the high seats made the cabin feel narrower, highlighted again by jumping straight into the Golf.
I ordered them anyway but I will be keeping an eye out for any modifications to combat the issue
Although the worst car I have ever sat in for that was a Suzuki Swift Sport - t'was still a decent little motor, though.
caterham2 said:
Had my RS since June ( Australian delivery). I really can't see where these reviewers are finding the Recaro seats to be so high. A variety of people of all shapes and sizes have sat in/ driven mine, not one person has made this comment, like wise the alleged firm ride, but then again the performance versus comfort trade off is very subjective is it not? I suppose these poor old road testers for magazines have to juggle a lot of balls in the air at the same time, to keep the advertisers and editors happy somehow. Being the owner amongst other things of a Caterham Super Seven, a Holden Torana XU1 road registered ex Group C race car plus a few others it may be my eclectic mix of cars has clouded my opinion, however I will say that the RS continues to amaze every time I take it out. Well done Ford! I
Finally someone that thinks the same as I do. I've had friends sitting in mine and nobody has said they feel too high.Maybe the trend is to sit with your bum next to the road but I don't like to drive just about peering over the steering wheel - I like to see where I'm going.
Some kind of lever to adjust the height would have been good to please everyone - I believe that there are CS seats in production cars with such an arrangement such as the Renault Megane RS275 Cup? I wonder if these are retrofit-able to help "low riders" out?
Dave Hedgehog said:
RamboLambo said:
As good as the new focus RS is, it has too many doors and looks just like the rest of the range. Yes it might have broader appeal and sell more but the mark II still looks and sounds better.
The mark III will not have the same hardcore enthusiast following and longer term Mark II prices will be higher than mark III's IMHO
some good points but the II is a cheap FWD job where as the III is a proper return to roots AWD carThe mark III will not have the same hardcore enthusiast following and longer term Mark II prices will be higher than mark III's IMHO
For anyone questioning the reasoning for the seat position, it's worth pointing out that it relates to crash. Specifically:
Crash Regs said:
Regulatory definition: For the purpose of U.S. regulation and GTRs (Global Technical Regulations) – and for clear communication in safety and seating design – the H-point is defined as the actual hip point of the seated crash test dummy itself, whereas the R-point (or SgRP, seating reference point) is the theoretical hip point used by manufacturers when designing a vehicle – and more specifically describes the relative location of the seated dummy's hip point, when the seat is set in the rearmost and lowermost seating position.
Because the seats are fixed height, the position has to put the H-point at the same point as the cars is crashed in to avoid re-testing the car. Having sat in them, they are a smidge too high, although I found that it may be more psychological than physical, as setting the steering higher largely rectified the feeling of the seat being high for me. That being said, I'm still hoping to find a way of lowering mine when I get it...RacerMike said:
For anyone questioning the reasoning for the seat position, it's worth pointing out that it relates to crash. Specifically:
And that's probably why the U.S. don't get the option of the CS seat - too many regulations.Crash Regs said:
Regulatory definition: For the purpose of U.S. regulation and GTRs (Global Technical Regulations) – and for clear communication in safety and seating design – the H-point is defined as the actual hip point of the seated crash test dummy itself, whereas the R-point (or SgRP, seating reference point) is the theoretical hip point used by manufacturers when designing a vehicle – and more specifically describes the relative location of the seated dummy's hip point, when the seat is set in the rearmost and lowermost seating position.
Because the seats are fixed height, the position has to put the H-point at the same point as the cars is crashed in to avoid re-testing the car. Having sat in them, they are a smidge too high, although I found that it may be more psychological than physical, as setting the steering higher largely rectified the feeling of the seat being high for me. That being said, I'm still hoping to find a way of lowering mine when I get it...I have had a mk2 focus ST and driven the new RS and also never felt that the seats are too high. It does seem odd that anyone normal finds this an issue. Maybe it's an issue if you Re 6ft+ but I'm not and I'm pretty sure they set the seats at a height relative to the average height person rather than to please basketball players.
I also am not a fan of riding low, I like to be able to see as much of the bonnet and scenery as possible.
I also am not a fan of riding low, I like to be able to see as much of the bonnet and scenery as possible.
Ahbefive said:
I have had a mk2 focus ST and driven the new RS and also never felt that the seats are too high. It does seem odd that anyone normal finds this an issue. Maybe it's an issue if you Re 6ft+ but I'm not and I'm pretty sure they set the seats at a height relative to the average height person rather than to please basketball players.
I also am not a fan of riding low, I like to be able to see as much of the bonnet and scenery as possible.
It's not just basket ball players complaining though is it? everey journo has mentioned it and they all seem to be under 6ft.I also am not a fan of riding low, I like to be able to see as much of the bonnet and scenery as possible.
Also using the excuse that seat adjustability is designed for average height is drivel ... how come VAG and BMW don't have an issue accomodating people of all heights?
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