[Tengocity]

First reviews are in... looks like it's belter!

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/...ocus-rs-review

So instead of worrying about the Golf R jewel-like interior and handling prowess, looks like it's the Focus RS we all need watch for!

[JustChris]

Sounds like a corker

[Dave_3]

Does it have LED tail-lights though ?



Always enjoy a good RS.

D.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by Dave_3

Does it have LED tail-lights though ?



Always enjoy a good RS.

D.

Ditto.

My only small worry is that this is I believe the first 'American' RS.

Hopefully it's not too soft and keeps that UK backroad driveability.

[DazC]

Looks like a cracker.

[Apl440i or 335d?]

Likey.

[dopper99]

Looks a cracking car.

But surprised it weighs the same as an M3 and 340i. And only 15kg less than a 330d sdrive.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Looks a cracking car.

But surprised it weighs the same as an M3 and 340i. And only 15kg less than a 330d sdrive.

That'll be the extra chassis bracing, driveshafts and diffs!

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

That'll be the extra chassis bracing, driveshafts and diffs!

Hmmmm, but it'll be smaller inside than a 3 series, yet weighs the same.
But who cares ..................... if it handles....

[RobUK]

Truly a very accomplished car... been watching their development videos. However, I simply couldn't live with those 'Halfords' looks. ETTO though.

[creepy coupe]

Can you only get it in Pikey transit blue?

[Cootie]

Suspect in the gunmetal grey the additional styling 'elements' would look more subdued and a little less stuck on...

Sounds like an amazing drivers car - will see if I can perhaps get a test drive at some point.

[JustChris]

When I had the deposit down I signed up to the UK RS forum too (like you do)...and I couldn't believe how many of the owners were getting them as a second car at age 25 and a like.

It seemed like hardly anyone was getting as a DD car.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by Chris10Bimmers

When I had the deposit down I signed up to the UK RS forum too (like you do)...and I couldn't believe how many of the owners were getting them as a second car at age 25 and a like.

It seemed like hardly anyone was getting as a DD car.

Yeah it is a bit odd the UK car market at times.

Admittedly have done similar in the past, just not at 25 years old lol.

[Thehoss]

Hmm will be interesting to see when all reviews are in.
I remember the last RS where the revoknuckle system had eliminated torque steer in every review I read. Even though it didn't at all.

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by Thehoss

Hmm will be interesting to see when all reviews are in.
I remember the last RS where the revoknuckle system had eliminated torque steer in every review I read. Even though it didn't at all.

I found that it very much curtailed torque-steer - when compared with standard over-powered FWD setups.

What I saw was many drivers didn't know how to cope with the LSD.

They would go into a corner, apply power, the LSD would load up and pull them closer to the apex (giving a slight feeling of oversteer) - they would back off and release the LSD effect and feel understeer, then go back on the throttle. Driven like that (throttle on/off) it would make them think it was a bad setup.

I found the best way was to commit to your line, load the diff and go for it. It could really tear up the corners then. You could also play with the throttle to adjust the feeling of oversteer.

It did not flatter ham-fisted muggles.

Another thing people did was to stick on wheel spacers, thus adjusting the king-pin angle of the centre of the front wheels - which was precisely one of the things the revo-knuckle tried to get optimised.

D.

[Firaxis]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Hmmmm, but it'll be smaller inside than a 3 series, yet weighs the same.
But who cares ..................... if it handles....

If it's anything like the ST it'll be awesome round the twisties, probably of the best handling cars I've tried in many moons. First time in ages I actually felt solid lateral G. when entering a corner, the force was unreal!. Also awesome centre of gravity.

Was a pretty quick car as well, with the mountune kit couldn't tell the difference between it and a 330D for example. Issue is it couldn't keep it's power down, hopefully the RS will do a better job.

[RobUK]

Comparison: BMW M2 vs Ford Focus RS

Ok, not a head-to-head and it's on a BMW Blog.... but I'm with them in that the M2 spanks the Focus in the looks department - both inside and out.

[Dave_3]

Originally Posted by RobUK

Comparison: BMW M2 vs Ford Focus RS

Ok, not a head-to-head and it's on a BMW Blog.... but I'm with them in that the M2 spanks the Focus in the looks department - both inside and out.

That Blog even got a pasting from BMW owners for their sycophantic comparison "review" of the Jaguar XE.

I'm guessing they haven't actually driven the new Focus, before coming to the conclusion : "There’s no doubt that the BMW M2 is the better driving, better handling" .... I'll wait for some feedback from anybody who has actually driven the new Focus RS.

Looks are entirely subjective.

ETTO.

D.

[SkyJawa]

Originally Posted by RobUK

Comparison: BMW M2 vs Ford Focus RS

Ok, not a head-to-head and it's on a BMW Blog.... but I'm with them in that the M2 spanks the Focus in the looks department - both inside and out.

What a load of crap - they aren't even the same body style so theres no comparison to make.

Should be compared to a 1er, in which case the RS looks way more purposeful than an M135.

[RobUK]

There's just something I find unpleasant about the Ford DNA in the looks department and no amount of flared wheel arches and boost gauges can hide it. I've had the joy (or is that misfortune?) of driving pretty much every UK model of Ford there is over the last two and a half years courtesy of Hertz (and what a bunch of scammers they are!) and while they don't go anything like this will, they all have that look about them.

Agree tho, ETTO and the RS will make many a young lad's pants damp I dare say

[Firaxis]

Originally Posted by RobUK

There's just something I find unpleasant about the Ford DNA in the looks department and no amount of flared wheel arches and boost gauges can hide it. I've had the joy (or is that misfortune?) of driving pretty much every UK model of Ford there is over the last two and a half years courtesy of Hertz (and what a bunch of scammers they are!) and while they don't go anything like this will, they all have that look about them.

Agree tho, ETTO and the RS will make many a young lad's pants damp I dare say

You mean they all look like big fish's?

"Focus RS, the angriest fish in the sea"..