2015 rs focus

[jezerams]

top gear website has posted some info about the next rs focus

http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/new-ford-focus-rs-information-2012-02-13

[rwdrs]

Rubbish, no 4-wd cos Jost Capito says so.

There is no justification for the RS moniker anymore, so why bother? If Ford is so afraid nobody will buy it, why build it? A watered down version of what could've been.

300+ bhp needs AWD, no amount of Revo Knuckle is going to bring it all under control. I'd already read the article and thought "so what".
Who wants this RS, obviously there's not enough demand or Ford doesn't trust its customers

[oveRSteer]

i agree with most of the above. However, i DO think the demand is there seeing as how many of the current FRS flew out of the showrooms!
I do think it would be nice if Ford made it AWD, this would further seperate it from the Focus ST and other focus's in the range. I think the extra cost would be deemed worth it for potential buyers as it would feel that little bit more special (bit like the escort cosworth)

still, plenty time for ford to change the spec before its finalised i guess

[SHIFTY]

300+ bhp needs AWD, no amount of Revo Knuckle is going to bring it all under control.

Amen to that!... should have been 4wd imo!

[Stringpants]

If the focus had a FWD option I would be driving one now instead of my Quattro A4

[flyingpilot]

If the focus had a FWD option I would be driving one now instead of my Quattro A4

+1, if the new Focus was AWD then when my current Audi is due for renewal I would seriously consider it.
The RS3 is AWD and is far better drive than the Focus, whats wrong Ford, get your act together.

[rwdrs]

i agree with most of the above. However, i DO think the demand is there seeing as how many of the current FRS flew out of the showrooms!

Who wants this RS, obviously there's not enough demand or Ford doesn't trust its customers

That's what I meant, obviously Mr Capito hasn't got the necessary undercarriage to convince the top management that actually, having been raised on cheap nimble sports saloons and hatchbacks, Ford customers want a fire-breathing top-of-the-range motor, either to aspire to or just to take pleasure in owning and driving.

It is also a sign to other manufacturers, i.e. "we can still do it and are prepared to put our money where our mouths are". I think most of the motoring press were pretty dumbfounded when the last Focus "RS" (?) was launched with only a ReVo Knuckle to show for itself and no 4wd system.

Fair enough, if Ford's engineers can get this modern high-tech axle assembly to counter a significant amount of the troubles associated with putting so much power down through the front axles but why not have the Revo on the ST and Revo knuckles (possibly with a rear axle solution too) plus 4wd? Let's face it, what's the point in having all that poke if the ESP and traction control tells the engine to "wind its neck in" and either brake the drive wheels or cut the fuel to the engine????

Surely that would kick the GTi's of this world in the rectal region? Maybe it is the shift from British management of special vehicle development, i.e. developing a car you think the punter will enjoy/buy, to the German (Kranefuss) engineer type, we can only spend x no. of dollars on this model's development? After all, it was people like Stuart Turner etc that pushed through models like the Escort Cosworth.

Also, Ford almost seem reluctant to launch an RS these days
I mean since the Escort name was killed off they constantly denied they are building an RS, and frankly they're right.
Eventually and usually (it would seem) down to Ford owners and the general press reaction (is this ST really the hottest Focus the public will be offerred? Ford look at Renault, VW etc are offering!) they build an RS-badged car; a car that is just a moderately warmed up ST.

I cannot understand it, Ford invested a fortune throughout the Sixties and Seventies in rallying and making a nice bit of bunce flogging go-faster bits and then flush all that hard earned credibility down the carsey because the top execs are afraid to build cars that the enthusiast wants.
It baffles me, it really does...

[flyingpilot]

Maybe we're going to get an AWD Fiesta RS?

[rwdrs]

If Audi built the Fiesta yes you would, I rest my CASE

[M1TCH]

That's what I meant, obviously Mr Capito hasn't got the necessary undercarriage to convince the top management that actually, having been raised on cheap nimble sports saloons and hatchbacks, Ford customers want a fire-breathing top-of-the-range motor, either to aspire to or just to take pleasure in owning and driving.

It is also a sign to other manufacturers, i.e. "we can still do it and are prepared to put our money where our mouths are". I think most of the motoring press were pretty dumbfounded when the last Focus "RS" (?) was launched with only a ReVo Knuckle to show for itself and no 4wd system.

Fair enough, if Ford's engineers can get this modern high-tech axle assembly to counter a significant amount of the troubles associated with putting so much power down through the front axles but why not have the Revo on the ST and Revo knuckles (possibly with a rear axle solution too) plus 4wd? Let's face it, what's the point in having all that poke if the ESP and traction control tells the engine to "wind its neck in" and either brake the drive wheels or cut the fuel to the engine????

Surely that would kick the GTi's of this world in the rectal region? Maybe it is the shift from British management of special vehicle development, i.e. developing a car you think the punter will enjoy/buy, to the German (Kranefuss) engineer type, we can only spend x no. of dollars on this model's development? After all, it was people like Stuart Turner etc that pushed through models like the Escort Cosworth.

Also, Ford almost seem reluctant to launch an RS these days
I mean since the Escort name was killed off they constantly denied they are building an RS, and frankly they're right.
Eventually and usually (it would seem) down to Ford owners and the general press reaction (is this ST really the hottest Focus the public will be offerred? Ford look at Renault, VW etc are offering!) they build an RS-badged car; a car that is just a moderately warmed up ST.

I cannot understand it, Ford invested a fortune throughout the Sixties and Seventies in rallying and making a nice bit of bunce flogging go-faster bits and then flush all that hard earned credibility down the carsey because the top execs are afraid to build cars that the enthusiast wants.
It baffles me, it really does...

You are so so right !

[Groupcracer]

how many "posters" in this thread have owned a current rs focus?

[RSSRED]

Maybe we're going to get an AWD Fiesta RS?

That would make more sence, its ford rally car at mo.
Plus am i right in thinking the current focus is only in 5 door form ?
5 door RS

[flyingpilot]

how many "posters" in this thread have owned a current rs focus?

Test drove one, thats why I didn't buy one .

Good news on the engine though, a four cylinder that would have to be altered to fit the transverse Focus, it's for the new RWD Mustang, meaning an ideal fitment for a RWD Classic Escort .

[topaz]

prefer one of these

http://www.ford.com/cars/mustang/features/#page=Feature16

[Groupcracer]

Test drove one, thats why I didn't buy one .

Good news on the engine though, a four cylinder that would have to be altered to fit the transverse Focus, it's for the new RWD Mustang, meaning an ideal fitment for a RWD Classic Escort .

Ok so you did 15 miles on the test drive....?

I own one and I love my rear wheel drive fords. I race one and a Formula Ford so i know about cars on the limit and this car is worthy of an rs badge on and up to the limit. Yes it would have been nice for 4wd but I find the RS focus every bit as a enjoyable as my Suby (one of the first ones, the good ones) but with way more grunt and a much more civilized car.

My point being plenty of keyboard jockeys slag cars on the basis of the magazine articles on them....

I agree with the point about the classic ford engines.