Saturday 26th November 2016

RS about face: PH Blog

Second coming or second best? The curious case of the Ford Focus RS...

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Stripey limited edition Porsches aside few cars have inspired as much hype or discussion as the Ford Focus RS. Having been lucky enough to have been on that original launch at the start of the year I've found it fascinating tracking the general mood towards the car, both on PH and in the wider motoring media.

Safe to say there was an AWFUL lot of expectation whipped up in some corners ahead of the car's arrival. A hot hatch that does skids? Performance of an old-school Evo with Ford running costs? A licence for wannabe Ken Blocks the world over to follow in their hero's (much rehearsed) tyre tracks? The whole second coming hyperbole didn't really abate once hacks were able to drive it either, though we called it as "a triumph, albeit a qualified one", picking up on the weight, tall seating position and fake engine noise and spotting an appetite for munching through front tyres that rather exposed the development goal of eliminating understeer.

Backlash is probably a bit strong but after that initial peak the Focus was left surprisingly humbled by the Civic Type R when we took them both to Anglesey, a couple of drift mode runs around the back hairpin destroying the front tyres (see above) and leaving the Ford feeling heavy, understeery and breathless compared with the manic Honda. This probably inspired my 'Drift modes are pointless' Tell Me I'm Wrong but, having got the sideways gimmickry out of my system, I've spent some time in our Focus RS long-termer. And while Matt and the team found the ST pushed the RS hard in Wales the winter roads have got me appreciating what makes this car something a bit different from the norm.

Because it is pretty amazing to drive a Ford Focus on the throttle in the way you can with the RS. Short of the more manic of the old Evos I don't think there's been a transverse-engined all-wheel drive car able to carry off this trick before or since. Certainly it exposes the more expensive Haldex-driven competition from VW, Audi and Mercedes-AMG, no matter how much technology, locking diffs or soft-touch interiors they can throw at the problem.

And you don't have to be going full Block to appreciate it either. At this time of year any given roundabout can show off the RS's ability to exit turns diagonally and on the power. The front end is so pointy and the steering so fast it's already geared up to attack the apex in a way few rivals can match. And from there your options are varied, even within the scope of default driving mode and ESP fully on. It's that unapologetic aggression I really like in this car; it's way more Evo than it is Golf R and genuinely offers something nobody else has at this or any price point. So rather than yo-yo between hype and backlash I'm enjoying taking my time to learn this car and track a steadily climbing curve of appreciation. And perhaps discover it is the game changer we were predicting this time last year after all. It'll certainly be giving the Germans something to think about and, as long as their main rivals are based on the MQB platform, little to really address the challenge Ford has laid down.

Dan

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Ask the expert!
Want to know how the Focus RS does what it does? So do we! To find out more we've got a meeting scheduled next week with Dr Ramon Kuczera from GKN, suppliers of the Twinster torque distribution system Ford has used to such spectacular effect. We're promised the full geek-out on diffs, torque vectoring and how you make a hot hatch go sideways. Got any questions for Dr Kuczera? Drop them in the thread below and we'll ask him on the day!

Photos: Sim Mainey and Dan Trent

[macky17]

I think the mistake people are making is reviewing this car as a track toy. It isn't - far too heavy. Then they compare it to old Evos - wrong again, largely for the same reason. Actually what we have here is a road car designed to be driven every day with the odd blast. It's the car Audi repeatedly tried to create (and repeatedly failed) with the RS3: Fast, fun, usable with actual steering feel and all-weather ability. It doesn't have the interior of the Audi by a long shot but then it's much cheaper.

The only caveat - is the ride forgiving enough for every day usage? If not, I'm not sure what it's for (but I'm very glad people are still making cars like this).

[Advevo]

I have a few questions.

Why does a sporty car like the focus RS brakes wheels when going into a corner. That s not RS badge worthy!
Why if i left foot brake i loose the 4wd driveline. I have only FWD drive then. Thats not RS badge worthy!
Why if i pull the handbrake it takes way to long to get the 4 wheel drive again. That s not RS badge worthy!

RS stands for Rallye Sport at ford?

If i drive such a car i want a pure car. Mechanical Limited slip diffs no trickery like braking inside wheels.

The mitsubishi Evo RS was just an awesome car. The Ford focus RS is not even close!

[macky17]

Advevo said:

I have a few questions.

Why does a sporty car like the focus RS brakes wheels when going into a corner. That s not RS badge worthy!
Why if i left foot brake i loose the 4wd driveline. I have only FWD drive then. Thats not RS badge worthy!
Why if i pull the handbrake it takes way to long to get the 4 wheel drive again. That s not RS badge worthy!

RS stands for Rallye Sport at ford?

If i drive such a car i want a pure car. Mechanical Limited slip diffs no trickery like braking inside wheels.

The mitsubishi Evo RS was just an awesome car. The Ford focus RS is not even close!

Not this again. Pure nonsense.

[nickfrog]

macky17 said:

all-weather ability

On summer tyres ?

[Dave Hedgehog]

macky17 said:

It's the car Audi repeatedly tried to create (and repeatedly failed) with the RS3: Fast, fun, usable with actual steering feel and all-weather ability. It doesn't have the interior of the Audi by a long shot but then it's much cheaper.

The RS3 did not fail, it was perfectly designed for the targeted customer, road users who never push beyond 9/10ths and who are not racing drivers or jurnos, they sold the run of both versions before production was finished and then brought in extra cars at the end of both runs.

hopefully they will tweak the handling of the new RS3 so that it includes mirrors, indicators and a distance warning alert that goes off before you get within 50mm of the car infront

[Leins]

Dave Hedgehog said:

macky17 said:

It's the car Audi repeatedly tried to create (and repeatedly failed) with the RS3: Fast, fun, usable with actual steering feel and all-weather ability. It doesn't have the interior of the Audi by a long shot but then it's much cheaper.

The RS3 did not fail, it was perfectly designed for the targeted customer, road users who never push beyond 9/10ths and who are not racing drivers or jurnos, they sold the run of both versions before production was finished and then brought in extra cars at the end of both runs.

hopefully they will tweak the handling of the new RS3 so that it includes mirrors, indicators and a distance warning alert that goes off before you get within 50mm of the car infront

Exactly. I've always wondered why people criticise Audi RS products for their handling characteristics, and lack of "driving involvement" - it's not really what they're about, although at the same time not nearly as bad as many would have you believe. If you want something to punt down a really twisty back road, then probably best to look elsewhere

However, if it's a car that can bludgeon a long motorway or A-road to death without you even realising it, at the same time as allowing your labrador to look out the back at the rapidly disappearing-from-view sports cars, then they're quite good at that sort of thing!

In saying all that, quite a number of RS Audis also have something missing from an awful lot of other cars IMO, and that's character

[Overhaul]

I love fast Fords, always have done and always will.
However I'll just leave this here.........

https://youtu.be/p8DKosz9zi4

[Evoflash]

Advevo said:

If i drive such a car i want a pure car. Mechanical Limited slip diffs no trickery like braking inside wheels.

The mitsubishi Evo RS was just an awesome car. The Ford focus RS is not even close!

Didn't the Evo VI RS Active Yaw Control work by torque variation and braking????

[anonymous-user]

For Dr Ramon Kuczera:

Ultimately the passive yaw balance of a car is set by the vehicles static mass distribution because this is what sets the ratio of normal(vertical) to lateral loading for any given tyre. Dynamic methods of modifying this static balance (such as the GKN torque apportioning system), whilst able to temporarily increase tyre slip at the rear of the car and provide a positive yaw acceleration, actually lead to a loss in ultimate cornering ability (more slip = less grip). On the RS, how did you decide on the eventual system calibration as a balance between ultimate performance and driver interaction, and is they why the "drift" mode is there, because it actually increases lap times??

[RamboLambo]

As great a car as it maybe its still not a hardcore RS car like the mark II.
The bland looks, 5 doors and 4 WD system make it more mainstream and broader appealing but not one for the enthusiasts.

Once the hype and newness has dissipated a good Mk II will be worth more

[rallycross]

Evoflash said:

Didn't the Evo VI RS Active Yaw Control work by torque variation and braking????

No the RS model Evo 6 were fantastic to drive because they got rid of the AYC and gave it proper mechanical lsd's and short gearing and quick rack steering - these were the base model used for group N rally car builds and they were totally different to drive on track than regular EVO's with horrible AYC the RS Evo's are so much more fun to throw around on track one of the most sideways cars I have ever had the pleasure of driving on track.

Edited by rallycross on Friday 25th November 19:48

[scott-3pjrj]

Mate bought one of the early ones paid 3k over list price every time he used launch went in to front wheel drive mode until turned off and back on no Ford dealers had a clue what was wrong . Plant the right foot hard in second gear exiting a roundabout wheel spined like a old MK 4 RS Escort no traction at all !! On a bend at 70 mph very vague feeling no real feed back felt quit horrid oh and the driver seat height is a joke from a plus point you can get a 5 year warranty cause you will probably need it !!!

[Ollieb7]

Evo it is then. Modern performance cars are losing their way to all this environmental stuff. Make commuter cars full on electric and leave the serious stuff unsullied to those who truly enjoy driving!

[Ahbefive]

Advevo said:

Why does a sporty car like the focus RS brakes wheels when going into a corner. That s not RS badge worthy!

This again? I thought you werevefucated in the last thread but obviously you are hard of comprehension. Read up on the car before spouting nonsense again.

[Dal3D]

The press bemoaning the hype not living up to the experience is a bit hypocritical seeing as the press whipped up the hype in the first place.

Just enjoy it (or not) for what it is.

I enjoy mine and couldn't give a monkeys what others think regardless of hype.

[Ahbefive]

RamboLambo said:

As great a car as it maybe its still not a hardcore RS car like the mark II.
The bland looks, 5 doors and 4 WD system make it more mainstream and broader appealing but not one for the enthusiasts.

Once the hype and newness has dissipated a good Mk II will be worth more

It's far more hardcore than a mk2. It looks very full on by all accounts in reality although yes a bit toned down compared to the quite ridiculous looking mk2.

5doors yes, I don't get the obsession with 3door hatchbacks personally.

The mk3 is faster and handles way better than any mk2. It will be a definite classic as it does things no other hot hatch (or car) has ever done. Theres a reason PH is warming to it albeit it is taking them an oddly long time.

Have you driven one at all? It's twice the car the mk2 is and the mk2 is a great car.

[DM525i]

That video was great to watch, I'm not against drifting, it looks like serious fun but the idea that anyone can drift at the touch of a button is a bit scary as proven by the crash. Ford spent so much time and money making the Focus act like a RWD in drift mode. Why the hell did they not just design the car so it could be oversteered with lift off? How much is that system going to cost when it breaks, which knowing modern cars I most definitely will do. Great video.

[scott-3pjrj]

Mate bought one of the early ones paid 3k over list price every time he used launch went in to front wheel drive mode until turned off and back on no Ford dealers had a clue what was wrong . Plant the right foot hard in second gear exiting a roundabout wheel spined like a old MK 4 RS Escort no traction at all !! On a bend at 70 mph very vague feeling no real feed back felt quit horrid oh and the driver seat height is a joke from a plus point you can get a 5 year warranty cause you will probably need it !!!

[RamboLambo]

Ahbefive said:

It's far more hardcore than a mk2. It looks very full on by all accounts in reality although yes a bit toned down compared to the quite ridiculous looking mk2.

5doors yes, I don't get the obsession with 3door hatchbacks personally.

The mk3 is faster and handles way better than any mk2. It will be a definite classic as it does things no other hot hatch (or car) has ever done. Theres a reason PH is warming to it albeit it is taking them an oddly long time.

Have you driven one at all? It's twice the car the mk2 is and the mk2 is a great car.

Yeah drove one and agree it does drive well but its so plain looking even in nitrous blue it was hard to distinguish it from a base model and no sports car should be 5 door let alone a RS.

Ford was appealing to a broader market hoping to sell a shed load which I'm sure they will do but for that reason it will never be a classic. Just far too many of them around.
A quick glance in the classifieds will show you how many are for sale already.

Mk II has a cult following the Mk III won't its a mum and dads car for 2.2 kids in the back

[Ahbefive]

there are less mk3s than mk2s at the moment and its an all around better car. No 5door cars can be classics? Tell that to the integrale.

The mk2 will drop in price soon and the mk3 will be sitting at the level a mk2 currently costs in 5 years time.

Edited by Ahbefive on Saturday 26th November 07:14