massivewangers

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Well, last week I got to pop along to Silverstone to see the new Focus RS. After the main media launch there were a couple of internal Ford events which I had to go to. This is where some Ford staff got to have a drive in some cars. I believe some customers were invited along last week to try out the car too.

Nice chunk of the heritage fleet on hand. Marino Franchitti, one of the new GT drivers, was there answering questions. He was a really nice guy and had a natter with him between him doing interviews. Paul Swift was also there doing launch control/line lock demonstrations and generally hooning about.

I did get to have a very brief drive in an RS on a shortened (and very wet) Silverstone. Sadly had an instructor alongside me. Good from the point of view that he could tell me where the corners were, bad in that he pretty much told me what to do so made it harder to get a true feeling for the car. Hopefully I'll get to drive one on the road at some point.

The verdict? Well, it's certainly different to my Golf R. Speed-wise I think there is very little in it. On a lap of a track, I expect they would be very evenly matched. Whilst the Focus has a good chunk more power, it's also quite a bit heavier. My car also has the advantage of being DSG. The Focus is certainly more aggressive though. Sounds a bit more meaty. Inside it's basically an ST with blue trimmings instead of red (the car I drove didn't have the optional seats) but that is where the similarities end to be honest with you.

The engine still suffers a bit from "modern turbo engine" disease, in that it's a bit characterless, but it does pull hard enough. The chassis is just totally different to its rivals though. I found the EPAS in the Golf a bit odd at first, but it was much easier to gel with in the RS and the way it drives is a different kettle of fish. Whilst the Golf feels like a FWD hatch with endless traction, the Focus is much more neutral. You can feel the drive from the rear pushing you out of corners. It is still possible to make the nose push on but it's definitely got more of an old skool 4WD feel about it than a Haldex equipped car.

Overall, from the very short drive I got, I was impressed, but I'd like to spend some time on the road in one to really get a feel for it. I think if you are looking for a car that can do everything; i.e. be fast in all weathers and offer a fun experience, then I totally get it. However, if you're looking for a second car just for the weekend and to have fun in on track (as an awful lot of owners will be), I'm not so sure. If you want a modern, fun hot hatch, a Megane 275 Cup is about £7k less and would probably offer just as many thrills (the instructor admitted that too) and if you're looking for the pure, raw 4WD experience, maybe an old Evo/Impreza/Cossie is the way to go, as it will give you the feeling but in a less synthesised way.

But, as I say, from my first impression, it seemed a hugely capable car and I don't think anyone will regret buying one. The level of performance available in modern hot hatches is just astounding and Ford have continued their onslaught as far as producing excellent road cars goes. I think they have really changed things in this class, purely based on the way the car feels compared to the German opposition, which are all Haldex based. The Focus just feels a bit more special as it has that neutral feeling. Some might say it's just a souped-up ST but, I can assure you, it isn't.

Anyway, some pictures:





















































Video of Line Lock demo:


Paul Swift and co messing around in a Mustang and an RS:


Don't know if I'm the first PF'er to drive the new RS, but can I have a prize if I am?

Staffi

iTrader: (1)

I'm still so on the fence about the MK3 RS, the MK2 just has the looks all over it for me, I still think I'd buy a MK2 as my first choice

massivewangers

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I agree, I think the MK2 is probably a slightly better looking car, and I think the 2.5 engine has a bit more character.

Sadly not had the chance to drive a MK2, but I can't imagine it would hold a candle to the new one in terms of driving. The drive train in the new one just gives it a totally different feel.

Stu @ M Developments

iTrader: (12)

The fact is, Ford needed a fast 4wd car.
Now it has one. Whether it lives up to the hype is anyones guess. I will let you know when mine arrives.

Personally, I cant see it dragging me out of my BMW anytime soon, but it will look pretty on the dyno while we develop packages for it. LOL

That said, Kenny still loves his Ford's so im sure he will enjoy it.

JK12

iTrader: (1)

I like it

The Eurosport documentary was good last week

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

They've definitely got that. Probably no faster than its rivals, but still a blinkin' quick car.

I think it already has lived up to the hype to be honest. The journalists are all spunking in their pants over it and the order books are full to bursting point. It's done it's job as far as Ford are concerned.

Be interesting to see what a few owners think of it, though, as with the MK2, there will undoubtedly be those amongst the Ford community who find reason to slate it.

I think it will give the other manufacturers a bloody nose just because the drivetrain makes it feel a bit more "proper". It's still a synthesised version of an old 4WD car but very different to the Haldex bunch.

STeve

iTrader: (11)

saw one up close and personal a few weeks back, although im not fan of 5dr cars have to welcome fords latest input into the 4wd scene

Staffi

iTrader: (1)

I wonder what kind of bhp/torque levels itll do on stock turbo, internals, transmission etc etc? Be very interesting I'm sure.

massivewangers

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Mountune already have one so I'm sure it won't be long until we start seeing modified versions. I'm sure a few tuning companies will be among the first to get them.

Already talk of Ford doing a more hardcore version if VW do a 400bhp run-out version of the Golf R.

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

Nice little write up, look forward to seeing one in the flesh, I wont ever be lucky enough to be able to drive one!


I guess with it being a global release, upgrades will be on the market much quicker and should be cheaper due to competition from across the pond etc.

Eigdoog

I will be going for a test drive if i can get one but defo not a car for me, think since the mk2 the looks have gone down quite a bit.

Just hope that not all of them are driven by chavs and with drift mode on i bet they will end up round posts

Great pictures you got there and i bet it was a great day out!

gjh

Nice write up and pics, reckon it wont be long before we some really big power examples, reckon the mustang will be a big seller too?

Harris.

I see the GT40 on the m25 in a clear view lorry heading towards fords Dunton / it was turning so many heads


The MK3 RS does noting for me i'm afraid , looks like any other ford focus .

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

They were doing laps around London with the new car today I think.

I'm sure plenty of people said the Saph looked like a normal Sierra when it came out, but don't judge a book by its cover, the Focus definitely has the minerals. They've spent the money underneath, where it counts.

RSMK4TURBO

Great write as said and i really like the new focus, the Mk2 FRS is such a good car and i love driving it but in anything other that perfectly dry conditions it struggles to get the power down hence why imo Ford had two choices with this RS, either make a Astra VXR/CivicR, rival or do it properly and go 4wd like we wanted since the Escos.

stevos

I really like it to be honest and think it will be a cracking car to drive.
It's funny as with some new cars that get released it takes time for people to warm to them.
For anyone saying it looks like a normal focus then I haven't seen a normal focus with deep front bumper and rear defuser on the rear bumper and an oversized spoiler. Not everyone is going to like it but stop trying to compare it to a mk2 Rs as they are totally different cars just as the mk2 frs is totally different to the mk1 frs.

james kiely

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im sure ford will be looking at the company car markets with these like they did the saff cossie.most firms dont allow 3dr cars

massivewangers

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Company car markets? Are you mad?

Ford have created massive hype for the launch of this car, journalists are worshiping it, it's a PR masterpiece as well as a technical one. If you order one now you'll be waiting a year for it. They don't need to push them at fleet buyers, people are falling over themselves to buy them retail. About 4000 units sold in Europe so far I'm told, 3000 of those in the UK.

People are lapping it up, most don't give a monkey's uncle how many doors it's got

james kiely

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its been hyped for a couple of years now and only 4000 sold in europe including uk lol.

i wonder how many would have sold if it was a 3 door ?

massivewangers

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Not very many, as they probably would have been about £100k each. They were never going to develop a brand new body shell for this one car. 90% of Focus buyers want a 5dr, it's just not worth their effort to make a 3dr Focus just to keep a handful of crusty enthusiasts happy.

They'll sell every single one that they choose to make. They're not looking to sell 100,000 of them. It's already been a massive success and done everything it needed to.

RoscoST

iTrader: (1)

Love these MK3s , cracking photos mate !

_Jimmy_

I enquired at the local ford, they told me they'd already sold all 400 they'd been allowed to sell.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

I really like them and i think they will sell bloody. Well.

Ive bought loads of car mags where they have tested the RS and its come on top everytime. Imo i think its a nice looking car and it looks different to other mk3 focuses unlike the golf r ( or what ever it is) it just looks like a standard golf but with bigger wheels.

jameswrx

The 5 door appeals far more to me over 3. Unless you're a single person with no kids, 3 doors are a pita anyway. But I always have preferred the looks too, something about practical performance cars that holds extra interest for me.. Audi RS range for example, love the estates. New BMW M3, looks better than M4 etc. Fair enough a super/hyper car in 3 door but otherwise 4/5 all the way for me!

I saw one of these at the dealer in Hastings Thursday. Are they actually on the road then? So pleased they made them AWD even though you "don't need AWD" (lol at the hype on the old one with the fancy knuckle that could defy the laws of physics)

Was saying to my mate, be nice if BMW made an X drive 1 series M135i hatch to fit amongst the focus RS, Golf R, A45 AMG, Audi RS3 etc

Moonstone Steve.

iTrader: (2)

I drove a new focus in anger yesterday and found it very good, handling was especially good in fact everyone that did test drive it couldn't fault it even mk2 owners and one Golf R owner