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?