View Full Version : Spied: Ford Focus RS
lightweight
10-19-2006, 02:03 PM
According to http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/19/spied-european-ford-focus-rs/
This is not the ordinary Ford Focus ST but the brand new Focus RS. Looking closely at the front end, one can see the bigger air intakes.
According to spy photographers, the sound of the 300 bhp engine was unmistakeable, as was the car's quick acceleration with all-wheel-drive and the rallye-like sound of that dump valve while shifting gears. Add some wide fenders, a more aggressive front end styling and you have the Focus RS.
092326001
10-19-2006, 02:08 PM
awesome
Mr.Tiv
10-19-2006, 02:15 PM
BRING IT HERE, GODDAMN IT! I would buy that in a matter of minutes! Damn Ford to hell, they didn't give me the Puma and they won't give me a proper Focus. Why?
cmcpokey
10-19-2006, 02:39 PM
thats so hot, even if its got a blue oval on it
KonaGreen
10-19-2006, 02:51 PM
The only Ford that I'd ever want. And it doesn't come to NA... bastards.
NSXType-R
10-19-2006, 03:00 PM
Haha, Tiv, I'm with you too. Sadly, I think it would cannibalize the Mustang's sales. Too bad. However, there's still a possibility because (I think) the Mazda 3's platform and a Volvo of some sort share the Focus's platform. I think they could just sell it under another brand.
I'd really love to see a competitor to the STI and Evolution.
carsnut
10-19-2006, 03:11 PM
BRING IT HERE, GODDAMN IT! I would buy that in a matter of minutes! Damn Ford to hell, they didn't give me the Puma and they won't give me a proper Focus. Why?
explains why ford is losing money in the us;)
Mr.Tiv
10-19-2006, 03:16 PM
explains why ford is losing money in the us;)
They don't sell anything that is impressive, or worth buying.
Zytek_Fan
10-19-2006, 03:18 PM
I want one sooo bad :D
Oh well I am getting a regular Focus hatch anyway...
lightweight
10-19-2006, 03:20 PM
Ford hasn't announced that they won't sell it in the US (I think so, at least). The fact that the RS MkI wasn't sold there, doesn't necessarily mean that the MkII won't be sold either
Mr.Tiv
10-19-2006, 03:25 PM
Ford hasn't announced that they won't sell it in the US (I think so, at least). The fact that the RS MkI wasn't sold there, doesn't necessarily mean that the MkII won't be sold either
But, they haven't suggested that they are considering the NA market-they never give us the good cars anyway. We get the Mustang, while the UK has seen the Sierra Cosworth(A few made it here), the Escort RS/Cosworth, the Focus RS, the Focus ST, and the Puma. What was our compensation?-The Cougar?
IWantAnAudiRS6
10-19-2006, 03:28 PM
Nice, a return to the fast Fords of old :)
Whatever happened to the Cosworth badge? That was always the mark of a truly fast Ford, be it Scorpio, Granada, Sierra or Escort...
LandQuail
10-19-2006, 04:02 PM
I think we're all forgetting Ford's original racetrack fugitive, the Probe. Now THERE was a car...
Oh, wait, no, it wasn't.
I kind of miss the good old days when my STi was king of the hill (a title it shared with the Evo...). Now we've got that damn Dodge... ... watchemecallit ... Caliber with a 300-horse turbo 4 and all-wheel drive, and Santa Ford might give us this RS if we've all been good this year (we haven't).
Also, how in the world would it dent Muskrat sales? They've got two very seperate and different markets, I would think. Muskrats are pony cars, and draw a very American pony car crowd (and teenage girls). The RS would be bought up by Ryycceerszzzsz, or whatever subculture America created as a catch-all for fans of fast Japanese cars, or, and maybe especially, cars that just look fast. I have to admit that my Subaru qualifies me as a RyceerssszzzZZzzzZ¡¡//l.com kid, which is almost reason enough to not drive one.
Oh, well.
Mr.Tiv
10-19-2006, 04:06 PM
Muskrats are pony cars, and draw teenage girls(and those who wish they could be teenage girls).
Fixed!
ZeTurbo
10-19-2006, 04:19 PM
Ford hasn't announced that they won't sell it in the US (I think so, at least). The fact that the RS MkI wasn't sold there, doesn't necessarily mean that the MkII won't be sold either
The normal MKII hatch is not even sold here. How the heck would they bring the RS?
We only got a remodeled MkI while you guys got a very cool MkII.
Ford management at its best!
mikee777
10-19-2006, 05:25 PM
WOW!!! Too bad its a no no for north america. only shit cars here.......
Vindesh17
10-19-2006, 05:30 PM
I would buy that if they brought it here and so would a lot of other people, But I doubt they're that smart, even though they know this.
lightweight
10-19-2006, 05:38 PM
Ford management at its best!
I am not trying to be a smarta$$ here, but do hatches sell in the US? Since I don't live there, I am under the impression that they sell rather poorly.
If so, then it's best for Ford to focus it's efforts (not on the Focus;)) on the cars that sell most. For that reason I think that it's a very logical move to focus on the Fusion (According to the Bold Moves documentary by Ford it sells better than the Camry) and the Edge SUV.
KonaGreen
10-19-2006, 06:07 PM
I don't know about he US, but here in Canada we have tons of hatch back cars running around. I am pretty sure that I have seen a couple of bonafide Focus SVT's running around Vancouver too. I think that cars like the Fit, Yaris/Echo, and their ilk have come to Canada first, and if it works here then the makers try for the US.
I can't remeber if this is correct but: Isn't Renault going to try to get into Canada first and then the US??
scottie300z
10-19-2006, 06:08 PM
I am not trying to be a smarta$$ here, but do hatches sell in the US? Since I don't live there, I am under the impression that they sell rather poorly.
If so, then it's best for Ford to focus it's efforts (not on the Focus;)) on the cars that sell most. For that reason I think that it's a very logical move to focus on the Fusion (According to the Bold Moves documentary by Ford it sells better than the Camry) and the Edge SUV.
bringing a better model focus over wouldnt effect the fusion or the edge too much. they could get it all done if they wanted. And the hatch trend is actually on the rise in the US the past few years. maybe not euro levels but still.
lightweight
10-19-2006, 06:24 PM
They could get it all done if they wanted. And the hatch trend is actually on the rise in the US the past few years. maybe not euro levels but still.
You are right on saying that they could get it all done if they wanted. It's just that it takes time because they can't do it all simultaneously, since they are in a bad shape. I guess that Ford just prioritised and decided that they should try and deal with the Sedan and SUV market.
I think that it is financially viable for them to introduce a federalised Focus, but not at this point. I believe that their first priority now would be to make some smart moves in order to slash costs and increase profitability per car sold. Since they are closing down factories (right?) this means that they will drop production output. Thus, their revenues will decrease, So it makes sense to focus on their more expensive models (SUV's and sedans). This will bring more cash.
Also, introducing a Focus model would take other cars out of showrooms. They don't want to promote the Focus now. In ten years time, i think that they can afford to sell a hatch, if all goes according to plan.
Afterall, it will be rather cheap to introduce one. the platform is tried and tested and all the have to do is minor tweaks, maybe introduce a V6 or something. Refining the think in general terms...
P.S. Sorry for the long post
pimento
10-19-2006, 06:30 PM
Ford Aus will be happy, they'll finally have a competative car for the local Rally series: they've been cruising around with a RWD 2.3 NA Focus... which just isn't competative at all, can't keep up with the AWD Turbo competitors. For compensation it gets taller gearing, but that really doesn't help when the majority of events are twisty gravel tracks.
zeppelin
10-19-2006, 06:51 PM
Hatches are catching on here, but a majority of people are still following the big huge tasteless car mentality. It's unfortunate, because products like this are unjustly not being sold over here. Instead we get a boring econo-box excuse for a Focus.
ruim20
10-19-2006, 07:39 PM
Ford Aus will be happy, they'll finally have a competative car for the local Rally series: they've been cruising around with a RWD 2.3 NA Focus... which just isn't competative at all, can't keep up with the AWD Turbo competitors. For compensation it gets taller gearing, but that really doesn't help when the majority of events are twisty gravel tracks.
RWD?:confused:
pimento
10-19-2006, 11:03 PM
Yea, it seriously is. Under local Group N prototype rules it is possible to make an AWD car that isn't in production (Toyota run AWD Corollas in the series) but Ford couldn't comply. I'm unsure as to what the regs are, but yea. They could make it RWD though, so I guess they figured a RWD would be better than FWD.
QuattroMan
10-20-2006, 11:27 AM
do you guys think this car is going to show-up here...U.S what i mean
Mr.Tiv
10-20-2006, 01:13 PM
I am not trying to be a smarta$$ here, but do hatches sell in the US? Since I don't live there, I am under the impression that they sell rather poorly.
If so, then it's best for Ford to focus it's efforts (not on the Focus;)) on the cars that sell most. For that reason I think that it's a very logical move to focus on the Fusion (According to the Bold Moves documentary by Ford it sells better than the Camry) and the Edge SUV.
Hatches sell here. It's just a narrow market, and I don't mean to patronize here, but for the sake of clarity, it's mostly young people and women who end up driving them here(sorry for the stereotyping). Anyway, that's simply because none of them have any thing resembling respectable performance. Ford could change that-I was talking to my dad about this car and he immediately said he wanted one, now mind you, that's a big deal coming from a nearly 50 year old American man who vehemently hates most hatches, not to that he dislike small cars.
Something likes this will always sell in the US. It's fits Ford NA perfectly, affordable, [sort of] unique in the American market, and it should be fast.
NSXType-R
10-20-2006, 01:30 PM
do you guys think this car is going to show-up here...U.S what i mean
I doubt it. Ford's not interested in the small car market yet, forget about the pocket rockets.
#3 Tasman Bloke
10-20-2006, 05:50 PM
According to http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/10/19/spied-european-ford-focus-rs/
This is not the ordinary Ford Focus ST but the brand new Focus RS. Looking closely at the front end, one can see the bigger air intakes.
According to spy photographers, the sound of the 300 bhp engine was unmistakeable, as was the car's quick acceleration with all-wheel-drive and the rallye-like sound of that dump valve while shifting gears. Add some wide fenders, a more aggressive front end styling and you have the Focus RS.
Yes, yes, I know what your on about. In Australia it's called the Focus XR5 Turbo.(meaning it has a 5-cyl turbo) Basically it has a different front end than the ST and this is supposed to be good. A silver XR5 Turbo just blew past me just on Wednesday. Beautiful. It sounds like a reprise of Beethoven, and even though I'm a Holden man, that is one off as a Ford.
Quiggs
10-20-2006, 05:51 PM
Looks kinda awkward. Last gen looked better.
F1_Master
10-20-2006, 06:06 PM
explains why ford is losing money in the us;)
Uh, bingo. :p
I believe only 1 magazine in the US right now has published the obvious that bringing in some Ford AUS vehicles could help Ford greatly.
kingofthering
10-20-2006, 06:25 PM
I am not trying to be a smarta$$ here, but do hatches sell in the US? Since I don't live there, I am under the impression that they sell rather poorly.
If so, then it's best for Ford to focus it's efforts (not on the Focus;)) on the cars that sell most. For that reason I think that it's a very logical move to focus on the Fusion (According to the Bold Moves documentary by Ford it sells better than the Camry) and the Edge SUV.
Well, the Audi A3/Mini Cooper/S/Ford Focus has been flying off the shelves,so yes.
ruim20
10-23-2006, 11:30 AM
Yea, it seriously is. Under local Group N prototype rules it is possible to make an AWD car that isn't in production (Toyota run AWD Corollas in the series) but Ford couldn't comply. I'm unsure as to what the regs are, but yea. They could make it RWD though, so I guess they figured a RWD would be better than FWD.
It would be very a very cool focus if they made a RWD version of the Rs :D
VtecMini
10-23-2006, 12:06 PM
Anybody want to hazard a guess at what the badge on the back, just above the ST badge is? I thought it might be an ST170 badge, but on the ST170 badge, the red & black are the other way around. I suppose it could be a TDCi badge (Colours other way round) in a manoever to try and confuse photographers. I'd imagine the sound of a petrol engine might put paid to that rumour though...
On the other hand, an ST diesel would be pretty cool and probably pretty popular over here. I think it worked okay for the Mondeo.
200bhp and 300ft lb? Hmmm... http://www.illinoiswaters.net/heartland/phpBB2/images/smiles/scratchchin.gif
NSXType-R
10-23-2006, 07:04 PM
It would be very a very cool focus if they made a RWD version of the Rs :D
That's not hard to do- remove the front differential. :D
KonaGreen
10-23-2006, 07:27 PM
So considering the news today here in Vancouver said that Ford has lost yet more money, do you think that they will ever figure it out, and bring cars like the Focus ST here? Or are they going to continue to rely on Trucks?
Edit: http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29248
QuattroMan
10-23-2006, 08:29 PM
I doubt it. Ford's not interested in the small car market yet, forget about the pocket rockets.
they should!!! ford's we have here suck big-time, funny Ford is not doing well they should bring some exsitement back in to there cars.ps why is thread on European car thread..
fpv_gtho
10-23-2006, 08:30 PM
ps why is thread on European car thread..
Why not? The RS is a Euro Ford
Zytek_Fan
10-23-2006, 09:26 PM
If the US does get the Focus RS it'll prolly be called the SVT...
ZeTurbo
10-25-2006, 09:54 AM
I doubt it. Ford's not interested in the small car market yet, forget about the pocket rockets.
Are you forgetting the sucess the focus had when it came out?
Hatches aren't more popular here because car makers dont put the effort into making decent one available to the public! Just like the Focus here. Saying they are not interested in the hatch market is absurd. Why would they sell the focus anyways if they werent.
Therre IS a market in north america for hatchbacks!! The thing is that ford NA is allways last in line to figure these things out. Look at toyota! They are selling Yaris like no tomorrow here. Nissan is having GREAT sales with the Versa! The mazda 3 sportback is selling very well also!
If they brought this New focus, (screw the RS, even the NORMAL second gen focus ) IT would sell like crazy! Do you really think that a dodge caliber is any sort of competition to the new focus?
Evryone is going on about how much it would cost to sell here in NA, Its not like they have to completely redevelop the car, its not like they are coming up with a new model! The car is freakin made allready! it cant be THAT expensive to modify it to meet US demands.
I find it absolutely absurd that Ford are not capitalising on this great opurtinity to capture a market that is growing every year!!
Rockefella
10-25-2006, 10:14 AM
I find it absolutely absurd that Ford are not capitalising on this great opurtinity to capture a market that is growing every year!!
Which explains their horrible profit margins every quarter. :)
VtecMini
10-25-2006, 11:15 AM
Evryone is going on about how much it would cost to sell here in NA, Its not like they have to completely redevelop the car, its not like they are coming up with a new model! The car is freakin made allready! it cant be THAT expensive to modify it to meet US demands.I think the thing that you're missing is that European cars have much higher quality, more expensive interiors than is the norm in the states. This means that as a result of this, the Euro Mk2 Focus would be more expensive than its competitors, something that maybe Audi, for example, could get away with, but the blue oval doesn't have the badge kudos to pull that off.
Admittedly there's a lot of assumptions in there, but I'm sure you see what I'm getting at.
kigango123
10-25-2006, 11:26 AM
awd, not a really wise move from ford. i mean focus was not supposed to be this ricey!, i like it, america wont! i wonder if the same system is going into the 4-door sport.
awd, not a really wise move from ford. i mean focus was not supposed to be this ricey!, i like it, america wont! i wonder if the same system is going into the 4-door sport.
Nothing you just said makes sense. why wouldn't awd be good, would you rather they try run 300hp through a fwd setup. It doesn't matter if america like it or not since there not going to get it and what 4 door sport are you taking about.
and btw this is not ricey!
kingofthering
10-25-2006, 12:23 PM
awd, not a really wise move from ford. i mean focus was not supposed to be this ricey!, i like it, america wont! i wonder if the same system is going into the 4-door sport.
I like it and I'm american. As for Syko, the new Mazdaspeed 3 will have a 250hp FWD setup.
VtecMini
10-25-2006, 12:53 PM
I like it and I'm american. As for Syko, the new Mazdaspeed 3 will have a 250hp FWD setup.Which isn't 300, is it?
scottie300z
10-25-2006, 01:20 PM
I think the thing that you're missing is that European cars have much higher quality, more expensive interiors than is the norm in the states. This means that as a result of this, the Euro Mk2 Focus would be more expensive than its competitors, something that maybe Audi, for example, could get away with, but the blue oval doesn't have the badge kudos to pull that off.
Admittedly there's a lot of assumptions in there, but I'm sure you see what I'm getting at.
so they should improve their badge kudos then, and since the car is already designed the only cost in bringing it over wouldnt be as much as making a whole new car, and so they can use the money saved from R&D and have the nicer interior and qualities but sell it at the same price as they have been. Which would improve quality of the brand and increase focus sells at about the same margin. I dont get why they design a crappy interior if another part of the company already have it right, save the money by not redesigning it and invest it in the car in areas its needed. Atleast that is my theory.
VtecMini
10-26-2006, 10:11 AM
so they should improve their badge kudos then, and since the car is already designed the only cost in bringing it over wouldnt be as much as making a whole new car, and so they can use the money saved from R&D and have the nicer interior and qualities but sell it at the same price as they have been. Which would improve quality of the brand and increase focus sells at about the same margin. I dont get why they design a crappy interior if another part of the company already have it right, save the money by not redesigning it and invest it in the car in areas its needed. Atleast that is my theory.Whilst the sentiment makes sense, it isn't nearly that easy. If it were that easy, there'd be no Lexus, Acura, Infiniti etc. If it's easier to create a whole new brand than to improve the kudos of an existing one, that should give you some sort of indication. Ford just isn't a premium brand, thus they can't justify a premium expense over a Dodge Calibur, for example.
thus they can't justify a premium expense over a Dodge Calibur, for example.
wooh you can't be serious ford can easily justify a price hike of a focus RS over a dodge caliber, they aren't even in the same league that is a bad example maybe a golf would have been a better one.
Mr.Tiv
10-26-2006, 12:40 PM
wooh you can't be serious ford can easily justify a price hike of a focus RS over a dodge caliber, they aren't even in the same league that is a bad example maybe a golf would have been a better one.
Even that comparison is flawed-as I see it, at least. I have to say that I think that the most appropriate comparison is between this and a WRX, perhaps an Sti-I'm not sure of the difference. Ford can always cheapen the interior to make it fit into the NA market.
NSXType-R
10-26-2006, 01:17 PM
Are you forgetting the sucess the focus had when it came out?
Hatches aren't more popular here because car makers dont put the effort into making decent one available to the public! Just like the Focus here. Saying they are not interested in the hatch market is absurd. Why would they sell the focus anyways if they werent.
Therre IS a market in north america for hatchbacks!! The thing is that ford NA is allways last in line to figure these things out. Look at toyota! They are selling Yaris like no tomorrow here. Nissan is having GREAT sales with the Versa! The mazda 3 sportback is selling very well also!
If they brought this New focus, (screw the RS, even the NORMAL second gen focus ) IT would sell like crazy! Do you really think that a dodge caliber is any sort of competition to the new focus?
Evryone is going on about how much it would cost to sell here in NA, Its not like they have to completely redevelop the car, its not like they are coming up with a new model! The car is freakin made allready! it cant be THAT expensive to modify it to meet US demands.
I find it absolutely absurd that Ford are not capitalising on this great opurtinity to capture a market that is growing every year!!
I didn't say that there wasn't a market. I just said that Ford is too focused on trucks and SUV's to care about entry level cars for the time being.
scottie300z
10-26-2006, 04:47 PM
Whilst the sentiment makes sense, it isn't nearly that easy. If it were that easy, there'd be no Lexus, Acura, Infiniti etc. If it's easier to create a whole new brand than to improve the kudos of an existing one, that should give you some sort of indication. Ford just isn't a premium brand, thus they can't justify a premium expense over a Dodge Calibur, for example.
I understand what you were saying, but i wasnt making the point of ford going higher class, but staying the same. I see now that by "badge cred" you didnt mean stuff like reliability/quality etc.. among the same level of automobile. Because even if Ford isnt a premium brand its brand cred is pretty sorry right now even for where its at.
And i was making the point that they could possibly improve that by only designing an interior once and save the R&D cost and sell a better car for the same price. The premium expense of the better interior components would be saved from the lack of expense of paying different people to design a completely different interior. So the car costs the same yet is better, which should ultimately increase sells and bring in more money. If its possible to make a better car at near the same price, why not?
after saying that i realize there are very likely other factors i havent considered, but thats why this is a theory. I have yet to hear a good argument for paying money to design a worse thing, when you can pay just to do it once and have the design cost used to pay for the better quality interior of the first design.
Edit: and it isnt easy i agree to improve your badge from ford to say the level of lexus (which i wasnt saying they should do), but saturn for example is looking pretty interesting and only time will tell how that will go.
Finally some real information on the RS. Less power than was orginally intended at 280hp but sounds like it will be AWD not FWD like the mark I was.
2009 focus RS (http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/17/european-ford-focus-rs-teaser-hits-the-net-sales-begin-in-2009/)
NSXType-R
12-17-2007, 05:21 PM
Finally some real information on the RS. Less power than was orginally intended at 280hp but sounds like it will be AWD not FWD like the mark I was.
And it still is not coming to America.....
Super GT
12-17-2007, 05:27 PM
I have a ford explorer and have nothing but problems with it.
Found on road dead
Fix or repair daily
Frickin old rusty dump
Ford suxs
The F series is ok.:)
I have a ford explorer and have nothing but problems with it.
Found on road dead
Fix or repair daily
Frickin old rusty dump
Ford suxs
The F series is ok.:)
Considering you live in america and your still in school i doubt you have driven a euro ford to know what there like.
Super GT
12-17-2007, 06:14 PM
Ok i agree sorry did not take that into consideration.
But there is something wrong with mine.
Ferrer
12-18-2007, 12:40 AM
Finally some real information on the RS. Less power than was orginally intended at 280hp but sounds like it will be AWD not FWD like the mark I was.
2009 focus RS (http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/17/european-ford-focus-rs-teaser-hits-the-net-sales-begin-in-2009/)
280bhp through the front wheels would be madness.
And it still is not coming to America.....
I don't think US's public would appreciate it, and probably even less at the price it would sell.
fpv_gtho
12-18-2007, 03:16 AM
280hp wont really be enough if the STi and EVO are what Ford are aiming for. I wouldnt be surprised to see the RS cost more than either the Subaru or Mitsubishi considering past model history and Fords lack there-of. Unless by getting the power from the 2.5L 5cyl they hope to make up for it with torque.
280hp wont really be enough if the STi and EVO are what Ford are aiming for. I wouldnt be surprised to see the RS cost more than either the Subaru or Mitsubishi considering past model history and Fords lack there-of. Unless by getting the power from the 2.5L 5cyl they hope to make up for it with torque.
Well top gear are reporting that it will be more like 300hp with a twin turbo setup on the 2.5. I don't think anybody really knows. It can't be that far off if Ford ahave already designed the body. The reason they gave for the delay a few months ago didn't sound right but as we can see they where waiting for the new body design for the updated focus to come in before they started releasing details. Hopefully they can get the weight down a bit then it would be competitive with the evo and sti.
Also the orginal article said there would be around 295 lb/ft which is around 400 nm of torque.
Ferrer
12-18-2007, 01:49 PM
Well top gear are reporting that it will be more like 300hp with a twin turbo setup on the 2.5. I don't think anybody really knows. It can't be that far off if Ford ahave already designed the body. The reason they gave for the delay a few months ago didn't sound right but as we can see they where waiting for the new body design for the updated focus to come in before they started releasing details. Hopefully they can get the weight down a bit then it would be competitive with the evo and sti.
The Volvo 5 cylinder is already capable of 300bhp with a single turbo IIRC as in the S60/V70 R.
NSXType-R
12-18-2007, 02:14 PM
I don't think US's public would appreciate it, and probably even less at the price it would sell.
Not if they introduce it the right way. A hot hatch under the Mustang would be awesome.
Ferrer
12-18-2007, 02:39 PM
Not if they introduce it the right way. A hot hatch under the Mustang would be awesome.
Most probably though, it wouldn't be under the Mustang.
Waugh-terfall
12-18-2007, 03:07 PM
Well here are some images of the facelifted Focus. So expect it to look wider, lower and more aggressive. Imagine it with a new Impreza STi-style wide-bodykit.
Ferrer
12-18-2007, 04:12 PM
Well here are some images of the facelifted Focus. So expect it to look wider, lower and more aggressive. Imagine it with a new Impreza STi-style wide-bodykit.
If they are going to make the Focus RS wider than the standard Focus it's not going to fit in European roads... :rolleyes:
fpv_gtho
12-18-2007, 06:28 PM
Imagine it with a new Impreza STi-style wide-bodykit.
So....ugly?
If theyre really going to flare the arches, i'd much rather a typical extended lip coming from the arch, rather than the Impreza's massive pumped guards.
whiteballz
12-18-2007, 06:57 PM
So....ugly?
If theyre really going to flare the arches, i'd much rather a typical extended lip coming from the arch, rather than the Impreza's massive pumped guards.
<3 Pumped guards
clutch-monkey
12-18-2007, 09:41 PM
<3 Pumped guards
your mum likes to pump guards...
Ferrer
06-10-2008, 01:55 PM
What apparently are the first three official pictures of the RS.
Zytek_Fan
06-10-2008, 02:29 PM
I really hope the US can get the good Focus again :(
clutch-monkey
06-10-2008, 03:11 PM
hmm..it's not a great looker
it manages to look chunky and fat again like the last one :(
Ferrer
06-12-2008, 11:21 AM
Well apparently the green cars were rendering shown a year ago to board memebers for approval. This is the real deal.
It'll be presented in the London Motorshow in six weeks and it'll be on sale in 2009. It'll have the same 5 cylinder Volvo engine with over 280bhp and front wheel drive with a limited slip diff.
Lagonda
06-12-2008, 03:05 PM
280bhp fwd. Yikes.
280bhp fwd. Yikes.
Ford say that it's got torque steer in check with a new front-wheel-drive system and limited-slip differential so it may work out to be ok.
Focus rs for europe (http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/12/is-this-the-next-ford-focus-rs-for-europe-yes/)
Rockefella
06-12-2008, 07:45 PM
Ford say that it's got torque steer in check with a new front-wheel-drive system and limited-slip differential so it may work out to be ok.
Torque steer I can deal with, especially if the LSD puts it in check but the understeer is what worries me.
fpv_gtho
06-12-2008, 08:46 PM
Ford say that it's got torque steer in check with a new front-wheel-drive system and limited-slip differential so it may work out to be ok.
Of course Ford are going to say that though.
Lets Gekiga In
06-12-2008, 11:08 PM
For those that think the Ford Focus RS couldn't sell well here I guess haven't paid attention to how well the VW Golf R32 sold in the U.S.
clutch-monkey
06-12-2008, 11:17 PM
the R32 was AWD though... that may effect it
Ferrer
06-12-2008, 11:37 PM
the R32 was AWD though... that may effect it
And probably what people pay for a VW won't pay for a Ford.
Lets Gekiga In
06-13-2008, 10:42 AM
And probably what people pay for a VW won't pay for a Ford.
Not necessarily true either. The Ford GT sold well, SVT Focus sold well, Mustang in all its iterations sold well.
Ferrer
06-13-2008, 12:00 PM
Not necessarily true either. The Ford GT sold well, SVT Focus sold well, Mustang in all its iterations sold well.
SVT Focus and Mustang are cheap cars. And the GT a retro exotic supercar. They don't really compare to the Focus RS.
Ferrer
07-03-2008, 08:36 AM
Official pictures.
My god it's ghastly...
NSXType-R
07-03-2008, 08:41 AM
It's ghastly because Ford decided to give it Lamborghini colors.
If it wasn't a crappy color, it should be alright.
Mustang
07-03-2008, 08:58 AM
thats proper, looks brilliant :D the st was great in orange and this looks proper in green, although they will have to do a blue one hehe
aNOBLEman
07-03-2008, 12:50 PM
thats proper, looks brilliant :D the st was great in orange and this looks proper in green, although they will have to do a blue one hehe
I was thinking that it looks great as well. I'm not a fan of this color but the car itself is very aggressive and purposeful looking to me. One minor gripe is that I think that the wing is a bit much but I suppose that they made it to keep the boy racer image of the car. This would also keep it inline with its competitors which are the WRX STi and Evo X correct? Or is this considered to be in a different class?
Mustang
07-03-2008, 04:47 PM
This would also keep it inline with its competitors which are the WRX STi and Evo X correct? Or is this considered to be in a different class?
suppose you could sort of class it with them things for its racing background but id imagine it will still be fwd and prob aimed against things more like golf gti, leon cupra r etc
2ndclasscitizen
07-03-2008, 05:08 PM
That looks awesome. It must suck to be so wrong all time Ferrer.
Shame about the FWD though.
aNOBLEman
07-04-2008, 11:17 AM
suppose you could sort of class it with them things for its racing background but id imagine it will still be fwd and prob aimed against things more like golf gti, leon cupra r etc
OK, I wasn't really sure where this was supposed to fit in. Thanks for clarifying. :)
Wouter Melissen
07-04-2008, 11:30 AM
That looks awesome. It must suck to be so wrong all time Ferrer.
Shame about the FWD though.
They have come up with some sort of revised front suspension, which is better capable of handling the power.
2ndclasscitizen
07-04-2008, 09:09 PM
They have come up with some sort of revised front suspension, which is better capable of handling the power.
Doesn't change the fact that it's a crap load of power going to the front wheels.
Kitdy
07-10-2008, 06:44 AM
I was just thinking - what is the most powerful production FWD car?
I can't think of any with 300 hp other than the RS.
2ndclasscitizen
07-10-2008, 07:47 AM
What were the V8 Toronado's (sp?) making?
fpv_gtho
07-10-2008, 08:41 AM
Up to 400hp gross and 500ft/lbs torque.
Ferrer
07-10-2008, 08:46 AM
I was just thinking - what is the most powerful production FWD car?
I can't think of any with 300 hp other than the RS.
Wasn't it the Aurion TRD?
Kitdy
07-10-2008, 09:14 AM
I forgot about the Eldorado. With the 500 ci engine, it was rated at 400 gross hp.
So the answer is: we don't know for sure.
clutch-monkey
07-11-2008, 12:32 AM
I was just thinking - what is the most powerful production FWD car?
I can't think of any with 300 hp other than the RS.
doesn't america have a FWD V8 impala?
Wasn't it the Aurion TRD?
i think that's around 300hp too, but must have a sizeable amount of torque too i'd assume.
Kitdy
07-11-2008, 03:13 AM
doesn't america have a FWD V8 impala
Just looked into it, 7th and 8th gen Impalas are FWD, the 8th gen has a 303 hp LS4.
fpv_gtho
07-11-2008, 06:31 AM
ithink that's around 300hp too, but must have a sizeable amount of torque too i'd assume.
241kw so 320hp~, but its only 400nm torque. The Toronado's had 680nm+
Kitdy
07-11-2008, 06:38 AM
241kw so 320hp~, but its only 400nm torque. The Toronado's had 680nm+
That's true but it was the gross rating so in reality could be considerably less than that - I would say around 600 Nm roughly.