Driven Focus RS
Discussion
I drove a new Focus RS for a few hot laps at Everyman racing circuit at Prestwold Hall in Leics yesterday. They have two, white and blue...thoughts...
- couldnt believe how quick it was, shockingly fast, its a fast 3rd and 4th gear circuit and the speed of thing took my breath away. I'd just jumped out of an Audi R8 and i can honestly say the RS felt every bit as quick.
- Hardly any, if any, understeer, the turn in was quick and it just gripped, it was brilliant on the track
- the sound was mesmerising, very gruff & with a loud turbo whoosh
- nice weight and feel to the steering
- The drivers seat seemed very high but it looked as though you can adjust it manually by the bolts. Fantastic seats though.
- nice interior, liked the squishy steering wheel, i thought the gear lever was a tad short but maybe thats just me.
Absolutely loved it, I can imagine it being an awesome car to own. Driving home, my Golf Gti Edition 30 seemed very mundane.
Want one very badly!
- couldnt believe how quick it was, shockingly fast, its a fast 3rd and 4th gear circuit and the speed of thing took my breath away. I'd just jumped out of an Audi R8 and i can honestly say the RS felt every bit as quick.
- Hardly any, if any, understeer, the turn in was quick and it just gripped, it was brilliant on the track
- the sound was mesmerising, very gruff & with a loud turbo whoosh
- nice weight and feel to the steering
- The drivers seat seemed very high but it looked as though you can adjust it manually by the bolts. Fantastic seats though.
- nice interior, liked the squishy steering wheel, i thought the gear lever was a tad short but maybe thats just me.
Absolutely loved it, I can imagine it being an awesome car to own. Driving home, my Golf Gti Edition 30 seemed very mundane.
Want one very badly!
Had mine for a whole weekend of driving and it is just incredible. Had an Escort Cosworth a few years ago and I was really hoping it was gonna be as good but it's just so much better and i'm still breaking mine in and can't go over 5000 revs!!! It feels so capable and nimble. Glad i had faith in RS Ford and got my money down early cuz anyone who thinks 4wd is the only way is very much behind the times.
chewygas said:
Had mine for a whole weekend of driving and it is just incredible. Had an Escort Cosworth a few years ago and I was really hoping it was gonna be as good but it's just so much better and i'm still breaking mine in and can't go over 5000 revs!!! It feels so capable and nimble. Glad i had faith in RS Ford and got my money down early cuz anyone who thinks 4wd is the only way is very much behind the times.
This says it all and got to agree with you on this pity I am not in a position to buy one right now Nice to hear an unbiased view. I am really looking forward to driving one. The seating position is (as I understand it) adjustable, but is a dealer job (ie: nuts and bolts involved, not just a lever).
Having placed my RS order on the back of sitting in the car at the Geneva motor show, turning the steering wheel backwards and forwards and making "brrm" noises, it's great to hear that the car is everything that Ford promised.
The one thing that I didn't like in the Geneva car was the pedal spacing - too much of a stretch and too much height difference for heel and toe. Does anyone know if it is adjustable...?
My RS is slated for build in a few weeks' time for delivery end of June. Can't blinking wait
Garage photo with it next to the five-hundy will adorn my Windows desktop methinks...!
Having placed my RS order on the back of sitting in the car at the Geneva motor show, turning the steering wheel backwards and forwards and making "brrm" noises, it's great to hear that the car is everything that Ford promised.
The one thing that I didn't like in the Geneva car was the pedal spacing - too much of a stretch and too much height difference for heel and toe. Does anyone know if it is adjustable...?
My RS is slated for build in a few weeks' time for delivery end of June. Can't blinking wait
Garage photo with it next to the five-hundy will adorn my Windows desktop methinks...!Yeah I noticed the pedal height/spacing was unusual and for the first few laps seemed a bit odd, but after a while quickly adjusted to it, dont think you'll find it a problem. Think you'll defo have to get the seat height adjusted though, the default position is about 5 inches higher than my Golf Gti and you're kind of tilted forward, not nice, not sure if it's a dealer job but yes its a 4 allen bolt attachment.
Very professional and well organised outfit, lots of cars to choose from, theres also a few present which arent listed on their website, such as the Focus RS, KTM X-Bow and Lotus Exige S, the good thing is that you can buy additional laps in any car you want when you're there at a much cheaper price. Best get there early, when I got there at 8.30 there was nobody there and I was straight out on track, but by 11am there was about 50 people queuing to sign on.
You get 3 or 4 laps with an instructor in a Focus ST, and then only 3 laps in your chosen car which is a shame because it's over so quick.
One other thing, speaking to people on the day it seems to depend which instructor you get with you too, the guy I was with encouraged me to drive as quick as possible using all the gears, but another person said his instructor told him to stay in 4th all the way round and brake all the time. Glad I didnt get him !
Value for money...not sure...i did it once to experience cars I'll probably never be able to drive again but it is expensive, especially if you buy extra laps when you're there (very tempting!) so it might be a one-off for me.
You get 3 or 4 laps with an instructor in a Focus ST, and then only 3 laps in your chosen car which is a shame because it's over so quick.
One other thing, speaking to people on the day it seems to depend which instructor you get with you too, the guy I was with encouraged me to drive as quick as possible using all the gears, but another person said his instructor told him to stay in 4th all the way round and brake all the time. Glad I didnt get him !
Value for money...not sure...i did it once to experience cars I'll probably never be able to drive again but it is expensive, especially if you buy extra laps when you're there (very tempting!) so it might be a one-off for me.
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