RE: 280hp Ford Focus ST Wagon revealed
Discussion
Arsecati said:
Can someone please tell me why all these modern cars can't tow? Is it because there is literally nowhere behind/under the car to attach a towbar (even third party), or are you guys needing to pull tanks? This is a serious question, as I've had tow-bars on all my estate cars for decades, and never had an issue pulling anything. Now of course I could go research each individual model myself to try find out, but to be honest, it's Friday, and I couldn't be @rsed!
When we say "can't tow" it's not that the car cannot pull enough load, it's because it cannot have a tow bar fitted, either physically (where the tow bar won't fit due to exhausts etc.) or because the manufacturer hasn't bothered to get their hot model of approved to tow. For example, I almost bought an M135i but didn't because it is not approved for a tow bar BUT the rest of the 1 series range is approved. You can physically fit one but it's not legal. It's a huge grey area with insurance. A few years back I asked my insurer if I could fit one to my EP3 Type R just for use with a bike rack and they said yes, as long as I never tow a trailer, caravan etc. There's a few hot models of bog standard cars out there that have this issue.mstrbkr said:
When we say "can't tow" it's not that the car cannot pull enough load, it's because it cannot have a tow bar fitted, either physically (where the tow bar won't fit due to exhausts etc.) or because the manufacturer hasn't bothered to get their hot model of approved to tow. For example, I almost bought an M135i but didn't because it is not approved for a tow bar BUT the rest of the 1 series range is approved. You can physically fit one but it's not legal. It's a huge grey area with insurance. A few years back I asked my insurer if I could fit one to my EP3 Type R just for use with a bike rack and they said yes, as long as I never tow a trailer, caravan etc. There's a few hot models of bog standard cars out there that have this issue.
Yep, same issue with roof racks.Thule used to produce a roof rack for the MK3 Megane (the 250/265/275 ect). However, they stopped when they realised the coupe shape Megane hadn't been approved for carrying anything on the roof.
With the (old) ST (and the Megane for that matter!), they could no doubt tow, but the exhaust placement doesn't allow it. As a result they're not approved for towing either.
Edited by framerateuk on Friday 17th May 13:56
JulianHJ said:
I like the look of it, but I don't think it offers enough in addition to my mk3.5 to change.
This.Even the mk3 PFL with it's horrible traction and torque steer off the line is still a very competent and extremely reliable car in all other respects. Other than the extra 30hp and slightly different shape I'm not seeing any reason to change.
Lemming Train said:
JulianHJ said:
I like the look of it, but I don't think it offers enough in addition to my mk3.5 to change.
This.Even the mk3 PFL with it's horrible traction and torque steer off the line is still a very competent and extremely reliable car in all other respects. Other than the extra 30hp and slightly different shape I'm not seeing any reason to change.
Much improved interior
New diff
More power
Bigger engine (potentially more headroom for tuning)
Presumably better/similar handling
More interior space
Shiv_P said:
Lemming Train said:
JulianHJ said:
I like the look of it, but I don't think it offers enough in addition to my mk3.5 to change.
This.Even the mk3 PFL with it's horrible traction and torque steer off the line is still a very competent and extremely reliable car in all other respects. Other than the extra 30hp and slightly different shape I'm not seeing any reason to change.
Much improved interior
New diff
More power
Bigger engine (potentially more headroom for tuning)
Presumably better/similar handling
More interior space
Fastdruid said:
TOWBAR!
Made me chuckle.Just thought of another frustrating tow bar "incompatibility" - the Golf R hatch and estate. The GTI hatch is tow bar approved, but there is no estate version of the GTI! So the only (not slow) Golf estate options if one was needing a tow bar are the 1.5tsi or GTD.
Edited by mstrbkr on Saturday 18th May 09:20
Shiv_P said:
To be fair what else could they have done?
Much improved interior
New diff
More power
Bigger engine (potentially more headroom for tuning)
Presumably better/similar handling
More interior space
Four wheel drive would have me reaching for the PCP paperwork. Basically, if Ford made an RS estate I'd be first in the queue, even if it cost Golf R / S3 money.Much improved interior
New diff
More power
Bigger engine (potentially more headroom for tuning)
Presumably better/similar handling
More interior space
JulianHJ said:
Four wheel drive would have me reaching for the PCP paperwork. Basically, if Ford made an RS estate I'd be first in the queue, even if it cost Golf R / S3 money.
Wouldn't agree for normal 4wd as there are plenty (heavy) fast 4wd estates to choose from. The RS 4wd system though could make it more interesting. Let's see if there will be a CLA45 in Estate guise again, that would be the only other candidate for a fast 4wd estate that comes in below 1800kg or so and with an interesting 4wd system... Any word on kerb weight for this one? No mention so far although it should be a trump card compared to all the 4wd offers...
usualdog said:
This + £20k in the bank please!
nb I don't need to tow and I know that old cars are cheaper than new ones!
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
"a rare car" LOLnb I don't need to tow and I know that old cars are cheaper than new ones!
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
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