Ford Focus RS

[Apex 693]

Love this car. Shows what a FWD can do with a good LSD and a properly sorted chassis.

Guess what was chasing it…

[drifty325i 0]

Awesome, they both look like fun

[Forrest 35]

Do want.

[Hi-Tek 3]

Yes please!

I hope we actually get some of the new Focus RSs here unlike the early RS which there's none.

[drifty325i 0]

Awesome, they both look like fun

[Jamez 2147483647]

nice, rs looks cooler tho

Edited June 28, 2009 by Jamez

[Apex 693]

That it does, id have a white one.

You could order a Focus RS if you were keen, JAF on the shore will get you one. You’d be looking at around the 60k mark though.

The Clio is available for $39,995, they are currently running out the last of the pre facelift cars at $35,995.

[hybrid 1043]

You know, If ford went head to head with mitsi and subaru and actually produced it as a Awd vehicle. They would have so much more cred and probably sell a lot more around the world.

If might not be the smarts of finacial discussions.. but it never did Subaru any harm.

I love the look of them .. just, you can only stick so through much the front wheels before torque steer turns it into more hassle than its worth.

[Apex 693]

I can see what you mean and I thought the same when this car was in its early developments but I have grown to realise the STI and EVO like me have over the years got fat and boring, their electronic wizardry and excess weight have taken the rawness away, they have lost their mongrel and mojo.

Think Megane R26.R and you understand where Ford are at with this car, they didn’t want to build an electronically aided heavy beast, they wanted to build a hooligan track/backroad weapon that its customers will thoroughly enjoy as is out of the box. The R26 rates as a better drive than both the Mitsubishi and Subaru and out sells them in Europe (where the RS will be sold) big time.

Edited June 29, 2009 by Apex

[Braeden320 0]

Weapons, great vids

[CamB 48]

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cardata/?cat=hot_hatches

Focus 1467kg - It's not that light!

Megane 1220kg - that's better (but not good)...

BMW M3 (e36) 1515kg - not that I can talk.

[Apex 693]

Wish you hadn’t shown me that website… goes back to EVO.

[Braeden320 0]

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cardata/?cat=hot_hatches

Focus 1467kg - It's not that light!

Megane 1220kg - that's better (but not good)...

BMW M3 (e36) 1515kg - not that I can talk.

That is a great website, just read the reveiw on the ST220 - Didn't realise the UK versions came with a 5spd box (Nz has 6spd)

[Greg111 13]

Looks like heaps of fun! The road/track is awsome.

[pureboiracer 0]

My work is importing 2 of them. not sure of arival date yet though

[Forrest 35]

^ My Dad will be in touch Oli

[CamB 48]

Wish you hadn’t shown me that website… goes back to EVO.

Yeah I know - such an awesome timewaster, it seems every article ever is there.

[hybrid 1043]

Hmmmm get what you mean apex .. just its still a FWD car. Im not saying its a bad car.

My point is I just dont know why ford go AWD and build something that could really wipe the subaru and mitsi floor. It doesnt need to be a driving CPU either. I think everyones ready for good ole mechanical AWD with 60/40 drive split again.

some more on it

[Apex 693]

I personally don’t like AWD and the Fords FWD hub and drive geometry coupled with a nice Quaife deferential cuts out the traditional torque steer and wheel spin that accompanied powerful FWD of the past.

Ford claim they have come up with something here but all they have really done is copy the Renault Megane as best as possible without breaking copy write infringements.. some info on the Revo Knuckle.

Works for Renault.

Ford RS's "REVO Knuckle" .

________________________________________

This is the real deal finally a solution to Torque steer. And a ford patent.

"The new Ford Focus RS is equipped with an innovative front suspension system known as a ‘RevoKnuckle’, which is designed to reduce unwanted steering disturbance and torque steer, the impact of torque on steering in front-wheel driven vehicles. Torque steer occurs during hard acceleration, cornering or driving on uneven surfaces, when torque on the driven wheels exceeds grips levels. It is characterised by sudden turning force on the steering wheel and can be exacerbated by vehicles with wide tyres and limited-slip differentials.

In Focus RS, the RevoKnuckle works in conjunction with a Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing limited-slip differential. Ford Team RS engineers have worked closely with Ford's Advanced Research Centre in Aachen, Germany to develop the RevoKnuckle technology specifically for the high performance Focus RS. It allows the simplicity of a traditional McPherson strut arrangement, but with geometry settings that minimize steering disturbances and torque steer, principally a reduction in steering offset."

If they built it from the ground up with an unlimited budget like they did with the Escort Cosworth it could have worked, problem is the Focus RS already weighs the same as the Escort Cosworth and it is much bigger, safer and stiffer so add AWD and you’d have a 1,600kg+ car.

Bring back Homologation rules I say, imagine what that would spawn in today’s standard of automobile.

[hybrid 1043]

If they built it from the ground up with an unlimited budget like they did with the Escort Cosworth it could have worked, problem is the Focus RS already weighs the same as the Escort Cosworth and it is much bigger, safer and stiffer so add AWD and you’d have a 1,600kg+ car.

Bring back Homologation rules I say, imagine what that would spawn in today’s standard of automobile.

from those last links I posted they complained that they haven't entirely got rid of torque steer. By they say its a lot more drivible than before.

Agreed with the weight issue however the thoughts of modiying the RS for performace is soon dashed by the fact its still front wheel drive.

Such a shame. I nice article on the reasons the designers had here

http://drivingspirit.com/focus-rs-fwd-not-4wd/

Which shows plainly designers are more and more thinking of how to design a car to 'up to' limits instead of allowing for aftermarket to really play with it and turn it into a 500+ hp monster. The problem here is this is how car manufatures get real street cred and in turn sell more vehicles of that model for the 'cool' value. Including base line models in the range.

I agree totally, Homologation standards really are the best way forward for consumers. That in mind .. dam the hippies too!

But I understand it is aimed at the UK / european market. Their insurance brackets are far harsher than everywhere else.

nanny state wins

[Apex 693]

RS vs R26.R on the latest episode of TG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nCYF05lo8U&NR=1

[Braeden320 0]

My work is importing 2 of them. not sure of arival date yet though

Where do you work and do you have an ETA on the RS?

Thanks

[Apex 693]

Where do you work and do you have an ETA on the RS?

Thanks

…and can we come and have a look at it.

[Forrest 35]

Where do you work and do you have an ETA on the RS?

Thanks

He works at Capital City Ford in Lower Hutt here in Welly

[Braeden320 0]

Have just spoken to Ford Nz that they are in fact not bringing any in.

They would assit a serious buyer bringing one in as a personal import. Price landed would be around 90k!

They suggested a Focus XR5 Turbo instead (approx 48k)