RE: Ford revives sporty Focus RS
Thursday 8th February 2007
Ford Focus RS: to be continued?The Ford Focus RS is on its way back -- probably.
Ford revives sporty Focus RS
New RS gets more power, better handling
Ford Focus RS: to be continued?
Strong demand for the 225bhp Focus ST has convinced the Blue Oval that there's enough demand for the RS, whose original version, launched in 2002, was slated by some for its inconsistent response to high power put through the front wheels.
According to Ford, it's sold twice as many STs as VW has Golf GTIs since the car's launch last year -- so it's decided to add 30 per cent more power on the back of last year’s World Rally Championship win, and build the RS.
The new RS gets a meaty 280bhp from a turbocharged version of the 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine lurking under the bonnet of the ST, driven through a six-speed box. Although only front-wheel drive, it also gets a semi-active limited-slip diff, which Ford said should help to improve traction. The suspension setup is more sporty, with stiffer springs and dampers, along with 19-inch wheels, all under a lowered body.
According to this week's Autocar, the decision to stick with front-wheel drive was an economic one, as uprooting the Focus' drivetrain would have been too expensive. As it is, you can expect the car to come in at around £21,000 to £23,000 -- a comparative bargain.
Other accoutrements include a deeper front spoiler with bigger scoops for cooling brakes and feeding the turbocharger, plus a WRC-influenced roof spoiler at the rear. And inside it'll get the usual add-ones, such as special seats, badges and trim.
Ford expects production to hit between 5,000 to 10,000 units.
However, the car's not official yet, according to the story, although Ford's performance cars' boss Jost Capito refused to rule the car out, saying that his division very much wanted to build cars like the RS.
If -- when? -- it arrives, expect to see the RS in Ford showrooms in 2009.
Discussion
Autocar have been regularly predicting a new Focus RS ever since they stopped making the old one, though. I'd love to see one built, but I've got to the point where I mentally file the scoops on the Focus RS alongside all the old "Exciting new mid-size Rover you'll be driving in 2006!" stories.
'According to this week's Autocar, the decision to stick with front-wheel drive was an economic one'
Sounds more like a dangerous decision to me ! Or at the very least a pointless one.Will 0-60 times be taken from when the front wheels start spinning or when the car eventually starts moving.Eleven years on from the end of Escort Cosworth production and they are still failing to better it !
Sounds more like a dangerous decision to me ! Or at the very least a pointless one.Will 0-60 times be taken from when the front wheels start spinning or when the car eventually starts moving.Eleven years on from the end of Escort Cosworth production and they are still failing to better it !
Big shame it won't be 4 wheel drive. I thought they would want to try and compete with the Impreza and Evo in that rally influenced market.
I really like the ST, but was hoping for more from the RS. Ok so it may have been more expensive to make it 4wd but I can't help but think it would have been worth it.
I really like the ST, but was hoping for more from the RS. Ok so it may have been more expensive to make it 4wd but I can't help but think it would have been worth it.
bigmanszetec said:
I really like the ST, but was hoping for more from the RS. Ok so it may have been more expensive to make it 4wd but I can't help but think it would have been worth it.
And as they're rallying a 4wd Focus at the moment, surely at least SOME of the work (particularly where to locate driveshafts and diffs) has already been done...
280bhp is still too much at the front wheels, even with modern tyres and diff technology.
280 and still fwd - what's the point? There's no real distinction between the models. ST > ST2 > ST3 > This RS as proposed = ST3.5. You can get that now with the aftermarket conversions. It's a wasted opportunity when they could have gone for a step change and created a genuine Scooby alternative.
When I first saw the scoop shots combined with the prospect of 300 bhp and 4wd, I thought, hmm tasty, it'll be out just in time for when the finance runs out on my current ST. As it looks from this news, the EVO X will be way more attractive as a next step up the performance car ladder.
When I first saw the scoop shots combined with the prospect of 300 bhp and 4wd, I thought, hmm tasty, it'll be out just in time for when the finance runs out on my current ST. As it looks from this news, the EVO X will be way more attractive as a next step up the performance car ladder.
havoc said:
280bhp is still too much at the front wheels, even with modern tyres and diff technology.
How many 280bhp front wheel drive cars have you driven to come up with that statement?! My 205 has more than that and it really isn't a problem. People seemed to slate the original RS, but I bet the majority of them had never driven a FWD car with a proper diff, as it seemed rather good when I drove one!
to quote another thread:
'Sorry but we will not be using Cosworth for the RS.
It's a Volvo 3 litre hp turbo engine, part of the SI6 Program.
I'm working on the project, yes it's got 4 wd.
Team RS'
It would be a terrible shame to have an 'uprated ST', which is essentially what they are describing in the article.
'Sorry but we will not be using Cosworth for the RS.
It's a Volvo 3 litre hp turbo engine, part of the SI6 Program.
I'm working on the project, yes it's got 4 wd.
Team RS'
It would be a terrible shame to have an 'uprated ST', which is essentially what they are describing in the article.
said:
280bhp is still too much at the front wheels, even with modern tyres and diff technology
You only have to look at how the VXR handles to know that this is to much power for the front wheels to deal with. And that might be why Honda have stayed with the same power output in their new CTR,a front wheel drive car is always going to struggle no matter how good the LSD is, any more power and the poor front wheels just might forget they have to steer.
I have always liked how menacing the old RS looked,but come on ford as someone has already stated give us the car that people want a Escort Cosworth beater,a FOCUS'ed Cosworth with 4 wheel drive !!!
havoc said:
bigmanszetec said:
I really like the ST, but was hoping for more from the RS. Ok so it may have been more expensive to make it 4wd but I can't help but think it would have been worth it.
And as they're rallying a 4wd Focus at the moment, surely at least SOME of the work (particularly where to locate driveshafts and diffs) has already been done...
280bhp is still too much at the front wheels, even with modern tyres and diff technology.
The bodyshell was designed with AWD and WRC in mind from the start, hence it's rigidity and ability to accept RWD and AWD drivetrains. Heck even Ford Racing in the US offer the conversion 'kit' to create your own RWD V8 Focus, no major floor plan alterations are required, it's just the suspension that needs redesigning, and that work already been done now.
www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.php?file=car.php&carnum=1796
www.channel4.com/4car/news/news-story.jsp?news_id=6202
The 4wd bit is there, waiting to be used underneath the new Freelander/Volvo's proposed equivelent which is/are based on the Mk 2 Focus. Unless those cars only fit 4wd in by having increased ride-heights. Which leaves us with the "they fitted 4wd to the rally cars" angle. Yes, they did. In custom built/modified shells. At huge expense. Using complex engineering that has little or no relevence in road cars as it needs adajusting every 50 miles or so.
So they'll never be a 4wd Focus RS for the road then? Probably not IMO. Which leaves the 280 bhp front wheel drive "option". Which is a true non-starter at the torque steer would be utterly looney.
Add in the concept that a 280 bhp Focus RS would instantly be Britain's most stolen car, by a large margin & therefore uninsurable, & the idea is dead.
You want a Focus RS 4wd with 280-300 bhp? Fine, it'll be an ex-works rally car though complete with roll cage & the need to have 3 mechanics standing next to it just to start it.
So they'll never be a 4wd Focus RS for the road then? Probably not IMO. Which leaves the 280 bhp front wheel drive "option". Which is a true non-starter at the torque steer would be utterly looney.
Add in the concept that a 280 bhp Focus RS would instantly be Britain's most stolen car, by a large margin & therefore uninsurable, & the idea is dead.
You want a Focus RS 4wd with 280-300 bhp? Fine, it'll be an ex-works rally car though complete with roll cage & the need to have 3 mechanics standing next to it just to start it.
german tony said:
Which leaves us with the "they fitted 4wd to the rally cars" angle. Yes, they did. In custom built/modified shells. At huge expense. Using complex engineering that has little or no relevence in road cars ...
You reckon? I don't.
If the shell was designed for 4wd from the start, then there's no reason the rally-spec stuff would require any significant changes. And secondly, the rally-spec stuff will all fit in EXACTLY the same places as the road-spec stuff.
Finally, IF the rally shells were modified 'at huge expense', the cost will be because they were bespoke, not for any intrinsic problems with the design. Mass-production will shrink the cost exponentially.
german tony said:
You want a Focus RS 4wd with 280-300 bhp? Fine, it'll be an ex-works rally car though complete with roll cage & the need to have 3 mechanics standing next to it just to start it.
Aside from the drive train thing (although that seems to be moot, considering the rwd Foci in the US) seeing as Mitsu can make an evo with close to 400hp from 2 litres, why not?
german tony said:
The 4wd bit is there, waiting to be used underneath the new Freelander/Volvo's proposed equivelent which is/are based on the Mk 2 Focus. Unless those cars only fit 4wd in by having increased ride-heights. Which leaves us with the "they fitted 4wd to the rally cars" angle. Yes, they did. In custom built/modified shells. At huge expense. Using complex engineering that has little or no relevence in road cars as it needs adajusting every 50 miles or so.
So they'll never be a 4wd Focus RS for the road then? Probably not IMO. Which leaves the 280 bhp front wheel drive "option". Which is a true non-starter at the torque steer would be utterly looney.
Add in the concept that a 280 bhp Focus RS would instantly be Britain's most stolen car, by a large margin & therefore uninsurable, & the idea is dead.
You want a Focus RS 4wd with 280-300 bhp? Fine, it'll be an ex-works rally car though complete with roll cage & the need to have 3 mechanics standing next to it just to start it.
So they'll never be a 4wd Focus RS for the road then? Probably not IMO. Which leaves the 280 bhp front wheel drive "option". Which is a true non-starter at the torque steer would be utterly looney.
Add in the concept that a 280 bhp Focus RS would instantly be Britain's most stolen car, by a large margin & therefore uninsurable, & the idea is dead.
You want a Focus RS 4wd with 280-300 bhp? Fine, it'll be an ex-works rally car though complete with roll cage & the need to have 3 mechanics standing next to it just to start it.
Ford was quoted as saying the Focus MkII's chassis was designed to incorporate 4WD. Why design it to use it, then not?
There is a market for Ford to build a 4WD 300bhp+ Focus, and charge £25k plus. Afterall, Subaru and Mitsubishi seam to have no problems shifting £25k+ 4WD cars, do they?
Ford said there was no market for a 200BHP Fiesta RS. Step forward Clio 197, Corsa VXR. BMW have no problems shifting Mini Cooper S with Works packs either.
Ford are in finacial trouble. Can't think why?
the last word said:
Yeah, 'cos the Focus ST, Puma, ST220 are all really poor, aren't they?
How many of those are putting 280 BHP + through the front tyres? Yes, the ST can be upgraded to such levels, which begs the question: Why buy an RS when it would be cheaper to buy an ST and tune it?
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