Wednesday 11th November 2015

Focus RS: Rebirth of an icon [Update - part 7]

Goodwood debut, final sign-off with Raj Nair and more Ken Block!

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We'll take drip-fed manufacturer marketing campaigns with a pinch of salt but on the basis there's a hell of a lot of interest in the new Ford Focus RS on PistonHeads we'll update our story on the 'Rebirth of an icon' series of official videos with this latest instalment.

And, OK, it's official propaganda and all that. But actually quite insightful, taking in a great many testing parameters and environments. Here we'll document the vids in the lead up to driving the car, with the most recent update at the top of the page. Enjoy the vids!

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Goodwood Debut

We're creeping ever closer to the production debut of the Mk3 Focus RS, with this the seventh of the 'rebirth of an icon' series. This video takes us to the Goodwood Festival of Speed back in the summer and to Belgium for sign off with Raj Nair.

Ken Block was driving at Goodwood, with his view that the car is markedly improved on when he first drove it in terms of excitement. Some skids follow, obviously.

Then it's time for sign off from Raj Nair, where the news is less positive. The revised drive modes get the thumbs up but there are issues outstanding with the brake feel and exhaust noise. Points to look for when the first drives commence then... More to follow next week!

See the video here.
 

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Artic Testing

Like all good reality shows, the Focus RS 'Rebirth of a legend' series is not all plain sailing. These things are always improved by a bit of drama, right?

In this episode the Focus RS is testing in the Arctic with the cars we saw in the Arizona video, including an A45 AMG, WRX STI, Evo X and the inevitable Golf R. It becomes clear that the noise both inside and out needs some work, so it will be interesting to see how the finished car sounds.This test is the first time all the completed hardware and software has been in a car, marking a significant step in the development progress, but we're told by Global Chief Engineer Jamal Hameedi that they need to 'add anger' to the car. To be continued!

Then it's to the ice circuit with test driver David Put, this time without Ken Block. He's there to investigate the car's behavior in a very low friction environment and how easy it is to control in these situations. Or skid around a frozen lake all day. Tough job and all that...

See the video here

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On track at Lommel

Ford's Track Seven at Lommel is well known now; if there's a fast Ford imminent, there will be testing at Track Seven. See the Fiesta ST video and the teaser on this RS a few months back.

We're back again as part of Ford's 'rebirth of an icon' video series, this time with Ford test driver David Put and God of gymkhana - or whatever is nickname is now - Ken Block. He is the first non-Ford employee to drive the car, manages to get it very sideways and then fluffs a launch. It seems like there's much to be encouraged by in this prototype car though, particularly from its four-wheel drive. More to follow from the Arctic...

Watch the video here.

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Heat testing in Arizona

Now it gets serious. The latest Ford 'rebirth of an icon' vid is in America, taking in some altitude and desert testing with the new RS and some key - if unnamed - rivals. We spotted a Golf GTI and what looks like an A45 AMG - anyone see any others? Certainly the fact the car is seen here testing with an American development team throws up an important question about the RS, that being who has 'ownership' of the car? Ford will be keen to stress it's a global product developed around the world and no longer a Euro-centric hot hatch as has been the case with previous versions. And as the US wakes up to such cars it's not surprising to see them pushing this side, a future video doing it the other way round with Ken Block doing his hoon thing in Belgium.

Will this multi-national approach enhance the RS and broaden its appeal as Ford hopes or dilute the identity we this side of the pond understand so clearly? It's an interesting counterpoint to the Mustang, which is also now a global product but very clear about its American identity and heritage. Does it work both ways? We'll soon see!

See the video here.

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Design and crash testing

A Ford RS model must be visually distinctive, outlandish you might even say. As much as stonking performance, a strong aesthetic is key to a Rallye Sport car.

Here in Ford's latest Focus RS preview vid, we're introduced to why the car looks how it does inside and out. There are chats with designers too so if you don't like how it looks then you now know who's responsible!

There's also a look inside the crash test procedure for the Focus RS; looks quite good in orange from here...

See the video here.

 

[Fastdruid]

Something very odd with the comments on this today. Someone else has a first post which doesn't then tie up with the original.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Anyway, on topic, really looking forward to these.

[Matt Bird]

Fastdruid said:

Something very odd with the comments on this today. Someone else has a first post which doesn't then tie up with the original.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Anyway, on topic, really looking forward to these.

Thanks for pointing this out, we'll take a look!


Matt

[Escort Si-130]

This video was around at the launch a few months ago, thought it was new.

[lee_erm]

Surprised they used a pole test as an example, they aren't the most flattering crash tests from a marketing point of view.

[T66ORA]

First ever 5 door Ford RS, for that reason alone, its a no from me.

[Podie]

Down in Essex at present - saw one on the road this morning., I assume it was a pre-prod car.

[lord trumpton]

T66ORA said:

First ever 5 door Ford RS, for that reason alone, its a no from me.

Apart from the Sierra 'Sapphire' RS Cosworth

[lee_erm]

lord trumpton said:

Apart from the Sierra 'Sapphire' RS Cosworth

That was a 4 door

[dc2rr07]

T66ORA said:

First ever 5 door Ford RS, for that reason alone, its a no from me.

will have to see one in the showroom as the pictures probably do not do it justice, still wish they had done a 3 door though

[T66ORA]

lee_erm said:

lord trumpton said:

Apart from the Sierra 'Sapphire' RS Cosworth

That was a 4 door

Is the correct answer

[T66ORA]

dc2rr07 said:

T66ORA said:

First ever 5 door Ford RS, for that reason alone, its a no from me.

will have to see one in the showroom as the pictures probably do not do it justice, still wish they had done a 3 door though

Agreed.

[urquattroGus]

I'm sure it will drive well but the styling just seems rather pathetic and limp after the MK2, interior included.

The MK2 is a bit over the top in looks, but has amazing presence in the flesh. The slight barry boy look was part of the appeal

I'm from Essex and I had a white one....

I suppose the 4wd, conservative (ish) looks and 5 doors give it a lot more sales appeal.

Still, at least they haven't done a Honda Civic Type R, that is hideous!

[MustardCutter]

What's so important about having three doors as opposed to five? Are there really people that could love everything about a car but wouldn't buy it because it had two too many doors? The focus is a pretty big car these days and having a three door with long doors is not very practical day to day. There is no 3 door focus of this generation to wish this was based on either, so why do these types of comment keep cropping up? If there was a 3 door version I might somewhat understand because the three door usually looks better than the five for a given car.

[Audi Boy]

This may Technically be Faster & Handle slightly Better than the Previous Generation MK2 Focus RS, but FORD has made a real Blunder in the Looks Department.........its lost its Sporty Aggressive Hot Hatch Appearance in switching to a 5 Door - looks like a Shoe on Wheels!
An even BIGGER Mistake was Dropping to a boring 4Cylinder Engine, as the true Heart & Soul of the MK2 was that amazing Sounding 5Pot, that gave you a real Buzz to Drive!!

[LotusOmega375D]

Who's a sneaky little lurker then?

[IanJ9375]

Audi Boy said:

This may Technically be Faster & Handle slightly Better than the Previous Generation MK2 Focus RS, but FORD has made a real Blunder in the Looks Department.........its lost its Sporty Aggressive Hot Hatch Appearance in switching to a 5 Door - looks like a Shoe on Wheels!
An even BIGGER Mistake was Dropping to a boring 4Cylinder Engine, as the true Heart & Soul of the MK2 was that amazing Sounding 5Pot, that gave you a real Buzz to Drive!!

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

Edited by IanJ9375 on Thursday 15th October 16:28

[Audi Boy]

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

Edited by IanJ9375 on Thursday 15th October 16:28

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!

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

[lord trumpton]

I think where the new RS will score is the tuning potential and the ability to use it. The MK2 is capable of 400+hp but the chassis struggles to put it down on a dry road. On a wet road then it's just a waste.

The new RS with its 4WD will be a dream come true for the blue oval bummers that love the RS and love modifying them.

I think the toned down looks are more likely to appeal to a wider market too, besides no doubt there will be a plethora of carbon spoilers, spitters, vortex generator things that the fans can stick on it to make it look meaner.

[CorvetteConvert]

The MK2 suffered by having such a big, heavy and old-fashioned engine up front.
Sounds beautiful and can kick out plenty of bhp, but the MK3 will be a better car in most respects.

[urquattroGus]

Just won't look as 'ard