RE: Ford revives sporty Focus RS
Discussion
Mattt said:
Werent the second injectors fitted but not working in 'standard' RS500 tune?
Not sure, but the fact that they had to be there on a production model, along with uprated block etc under regs, meant that the road cars were already very special and made for much much more than just profit!
What hope is there today of Ford making anything truly good *at all* when all they care about is profit.
They don't seem to realise a halo effect would be generated by a genuinely very good top-end model... ok it'd cost some to develop it, but who cares? Plenty of people buy crappy BMW 3 series and 5 series because the top-end models get loads of hype/image association etc. I really don't think anyone buys a 318Ci with tape player for £20k odd because it's well worth the money!
Dave
FWD can be made to put the power down with the correct diff and some electronics to make it work correctly
the reality in the WRC circles is that the FWD cars are significantly faster on tarmac sections because there are less transmission losses and more power is put to the road
i suggest we watch carefully what the manufacturers are up to - there has been massive investment on development of the FWD performance cars.
I know of several cars that have in excess of 400 bhp that are FWD and can shame their 4wd counterparts on the track !
the reality in the WRC circles is that the FWD cars are significantly faster on tarmac sections because there are less transmission losses and more power is put to the road
i suggest we watch carefully what the manufacturers are up to - there has been massive investment on development of the FWD performance cars.
I know of several cars that have in excess of 400 bhp that are FWD and can shame their 4wd counterparts on the track !
Barely different to the latest ST in looks, a wing on the back that makes it look even more like a van, under 300bhp and still FWD
After all the rumours of a 4wd 300bhp plus, as it should be RS, the news on what it is actually going to be (if at all) is hugely dissapointing for me
It will be a good car, I know that, but expectations have been built up too much by previous rumours
It's not like they don't have access to the parts/technology is it !!!!
Boo to you Ford, hope you read this and hope it gets heard
With the current race in the hot hatch market and speed of bhp growth, what is a 280bhp/FWD car going to be in 2 years time if not the same as a Honda/Seat/Renault/etc ??? Even the current Mazda MP3 (?) has the stats of the current RS on 0-60, 0-100.... Admittedly the RS would drop it in other areas, but who knows how Mazda will have developed it by 2009 !!
C'mon Ford, give us what we have been waiting too long for !!
After all the rumours of a 4wd 300bhp plus, as it should be RS, the news on what it is actually going to be (if at all) is hugely dissapointing for me
It will be a good car, I know that, but expectations have been built up too much by previous rumours
It's not like they don't have access to the parts/technology is it !!!!
Boo to you Ford, hope you read this and hope it gets heard
With the current race in the hot hatch market and speed of bhp growth, what is a 280bhp/FWD car going to be in 2 years time if not the same as a Honda/Seat/Renault/etc ??? Even the current Mazda MP3 (?) has the stats of the current RS on 0-60, 0-100.... Admittedly the RS would drop it in other areas, but who knows how Mazda will have developed it by 2009 !!
C'mon Ford, give us what we have been waiting too long for !!
3 pages discussing an autocar article?
Come on guys - autocar = motoring equivalent of the Daily Sport.
The pictures are a very blatant photoshop, Ford aren't completely daft they know the market is there for a 4wd Scooby/evo competitor so if they do actually make a new Focus RS it's very likely it will be 4WD.
Rich
Come on guys - autocar = motoring equivalent of the Daily Sport.
The pictures are a very blatant photoshop, Ford aren't completely daft they know the market is there for a 4wd Scooby/evo competitor so if they do actually make a new Focus RS it's very likely it will be 4WD.
Rich
RS-Dog said:
3 pages discussing an autocar article?
Come on guys - autocar = motoring equivalent of the Daily Sport.
The pictures are a very blatant photoshop, Ford aren't completely daft they know the market is there for a 4wd Scooby/evo competitor so if they do actually make a new Focus RS it's very likely it will be 4WD.
Rich
Come on guys - autocar = motoring equivalent of the Daily Sport.
The pictures are a very blatant photoshop, Ford aren't completely daft they know the market is there for a 4wd Scooby/evo competitor so if they do actually make a new Focus RS it's very likely it will be 4WD.
Rich
I agree. The Volvo S/V40 has AWD and is based on the same platform so it would seem odd that they wouldn't go that route for a halo model.
real shame it won't have 4WD, but at a predicted price of between 21-23k, 280bhp does seem a bit of a bargain. I really can't see a 280bhp front wheel drive car being feasible to use on the road, if they keep to the promise of a semi-active diff then maybe it should be easier to drive but would still struggle to put the power down. Shame that ford are not competiting with mitsubishi and subaru on the RS as would be a great alternatve to an evo or impreza. BUT it could still suprise us and be a great car to drive on the road and on the track, lets hope it is....
The old RS used a slightly different chassis to the std model i.e. it was stronger and used thicker material. I have to say I have heard no mention of any uprated version of the current chassis/sub-frame, not until the change to the replacement in 2009, and my company makes them!
Having said that, it wouldn't take a vast amount of time to make small changes to the current set up.
Having said that, it wouldn't take a vast amount of time to make small changes to the current set up.
davy9449 said:
The old RS used a slightly different chassis to the std model i.e. it was stronger and used thicker material. I have to say I have heard no mention of any uprated version of the current chassis/sub-frame, not until the change to the replacement in 2009, and my company makes them!
Having said that, it wouldn't take a vast amount of time to make small changes to the current set up.
Having said that, it wouldn't take a vast amount of time to make small changes to the current set up.
Given that chassis' are increasing in strength all the time, I doubt the current one needs any extra reinforcement to deal with 300bhp or so.
I have read all the posts on here now and it seems quite clear that 95% of the critique is levied at the 280bhp through the front wheels. I have to say i kind of agree.
So to those of you seriously contemplating something like the RS Focus...why not save yourselves a shedload of money and buy an appreciating classic. Go for a mint condition Escort Cosworth. There are still quite a few about in really nice condition. You get much more streetcred, it's not going to lose you money, it has exceptional 4x4 handling and is as fast as fudge in standard trim. It's also very tuneable for more tyre shredding madness (500bhp+ FFS) if thats your requirement and you're buying Cosworth knowhow and reliability.
Looks like a simple choice to me.....forget the focus
So to those of you seriously contemplating something like the RS Focus...why not save yourselves a shedload of money and buy an appreciating classic. Go for a mint condition Escort Cosworth. There are still quite a few about in really nice condition. You get much more streetcred, it's not going to lose you money, it has exceptional 4x4 handling and is as fast as fudge in standard trim. It's also very tuneable for more tyre shredding madness (500bhp+ FFS) if thats your requirement and you're buying Cosworth knowhow and reliability.
Looks like a simple choice to me.....forget the focus
Edited by scoobiewrx on Thursday 8th February 23:54
This has got bugger all to do with developments. It's to do with the fact over the last 10 - 15yrs a lot of people here on Pistonheads have driven FWD cars of some decription with reasonable amounts of power. They all say the same thing....too much power and it becomes a real handful.
I've driven high power FWD Escorts, Alfas, Volvo, Peugeot and Focus RS and ST up to date, and they are a bloody handful. Even the very svelt ST still has some torque steer when pushed hard although it handles well overall.
Bloody hell, give the RS another 50bhp and you'll get more of the same only worse and you'll need arms like Popeye to keep it all under control. I thought the RS was hardcore enough but Ford must be thinking there is a lot of chaved up new drug money out there waiting for an even harder core model they can bling up, wiv some nice wheels and spoilers, an more noise...innit. Don't tell me....the interior will be.....Burberry.
They should have gone 4WD, charged more money and put out a car that could not only handle the 280-300bhp but a lot more if required. All the development in the world isn't going to get rid of that awful FWD torque steer, and besides, i wouldn't buy the new RS if it's made because it was 'cheaper to make'. That statement really makes it sound cheap and nasty.
I've driven high power FWD Escorts, Alfas, Volvo, Peugeot and Focus RS and ST up to date, and they are a bloody handful. Even the very svelt ST still has some torque steer when pushed hard although it handles well overall.
Bloody hell, give the RS another 50bhp and you'll get more of the same only worse and you'll need arms like Popeye to keep it all under control. I thought the RS was hardcore enough but Ford must be thinking there is a lot of chaved up new drug money out there waiting for an even harder core model they can bling up, wiv some nice wheels and spoilers, an more noise...innit. Don't tell me....the interior will be.....Burberry.
They should have gone 4WD, charged more money and put out a car that could not only handle the 280-300bhp but a lot more if required. All the development in the world isn't going to get rid of that awful FWD torque steer, and besides, i wouldn't buy the new RS if it's made because it was 'cheaper to make'. That statement really makes it sound cheap and nasty.
I love Fords RS brand and have been longing for a new RS focus, I had the last one and sold it after 6 months because it was almost undrivable!! I will be gutted if they build the next rs focus with 2wd!! 225bhp was too much for front wheel drive even with a chassis as good as the focus! it needs to be four wheel drive!!
Lastly, if the japs can do it why can't ford? and I would be willing to pay £30k for a focus rs if was 4wd!!
PLEASE FORD JUST BUILD IT!!!
Lastly, if the japs can do it why can't ford? and I would be willing to pay £30k for a focus rs if was 4wd!!
PLEASE FORD JUST BUILD IT!!!
968ant said:
Lastly, if the japs can do it why can't ford? and I would be willing to pay £30k for a focus rs if was 4wd!!
PLEASE FORD JUST BUILD IT!!!
Me too. I currently own an Impreza STI PPP (301BHP) and before that owned a Focus RS. I've been wanting Ford to build a 4WD Focus ever since the Focus came out. I was to young to own a Escort Cosworth from new, and next year or the year after I'd happily pay £30K for a 4wd 300BHP+ Focus RS.
Alternatives if Ford don't build it?
Audi S3 (4WD 300BHP+ once chipped)
All new Impreza STI PPP (4WD 300BHP+)
All new Evo X (4WD 300BHP+)
3 cars there that have no problem finding customers. Why Ford can't see this too is beyond me.
You just have to think back over 10 years ago, and Ford practically ruled the Fast hatch market.
Fiesta XR2, XR2i, RS Turbo.
Escort XR3i, RS Turbo, RS2000, Cosworth.
Sierra XR4i, XR4x4, Cosworth, RS500, Saphire 4x4. etc, etc
What have they now? a luke warm Fiesta ST (150bhp) Wow !! and a 225bhp FWD Focus ST. Thats it. Ford can clearly make great cars, just wish someone high up would realise that giving customers what they want will make them money. Too much money spent on developing different sized people carriers, and underpowered "sporty models" is why people are buying different marques.
You can level the same accusation at SEAT, I reckon... Gassing Station | Ford | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff