What people think now that the Focus RS 09 is on the streets and being FWD? Is it good how much Ford said it would be? Or a 4wd option still will be better? Would Ford make a 4wd version of the Focus RS? Im just curious!

 

I guess they wont make a 4wd version from this RS-Focus. 4wd is so much different to build so if Ford makes 4wd focus some day, it will be a totally different car than this one. Engine is other direction, now its across, it would be probably lenghtwise cause of cardan shaft etc.

Sorry bad english.

 

It seems to have very good reviews

I dont think it will ever be made in 4wd.

Steve

 

Surely it couldnt be to hard to do, as the shell/chassis can't be do far from the WCR car due to the FIA rules for rally cars? engine would stay in nearly the same place, but a super gearbox would be need. Unless im wrong and the rules have changed.

 

Is the 4wd volvo not transverse also?

 

I doubt they will make a 4x4, its a heavy-ish car anyway so if it goes 4x4 a power hike would be needed just to achieve the same figures, but the provisions and running gear are there from the volvo, engine wont be the other way either, same format as Evos and so on.

 

A cool modern day RS Turbo.

 

In the same way yours is a cool modern day e30 318

 

I own an RST so don't exactly dislike them lol but i think thats underplaying the pedigree of the car just a tad!

 

well I'd just like to say that if you havn't been in one or driven one then you can't comment on how bad you think the FWD is! I've been out in Jamsports 375 bhp one and it was awesome!! It doesn't need 4wd, the car just has soooo much grip around the twistys and the only thing that reminds you that its fwd is the tiniest bit of torque steer when the power comes in out of a bend.........sure this could be illiminated with some top notch suspension package like KW.

 

Not this thread, But I love how people slate them and haven't even drove them

Would be nice to have a 4x4, But FWD isn't bad always!

 

Personally, I'm not convinced it actually needs 4wd. The grip is immense anyway, even under power. IMO, 4wd would add quite a bit of weight to an already heavy car, for not a great deal of extra gain.

 

I've never drivin or been in one, so i don't know, but out of curiosity how difficult does anyone think it'd bee to convert it to 4wd using the Volvo gear ?

Somebody's undoubtably gonna do it at somepoint ?

 

I'm by no way slating them, as I'v not driven one. I'd love to get my hands one on one, been trying to blag a friend of a friend whos a saleman in a Ford dealership, but keeps saying I can't as I'm only 23, not 25, so I can't.
But surely it could be to hard to make one 4x4 tho, as the floorpan must be the same a the WRC car, unless the rules have changed.

 

Not very adventurous the ST/RS Focus tuning lot by the looks of things !
I would have thought that an early ST would be cheap enough for some one to have had a go at 4WD by now using Volvo parts?

Mark

 

Why? the volvo system is AWD like Haldex....it would be fuckin shit

 

why have it 4wd though?? Doesn't need it!

 

Did Ford make a 4wd prototype anyway? And said it was slower and than the FWD, and due to being so heavy didn't drive nearly as well.

I think every owner I've seen commenting has nothing but praise, and the general motoring world seem to love it, though they're still kissing VW bum as always of course with the Golf and I've seen a couple of reviews saying the Scirocco R is pretty much as capable, but feels a bit better quality. Though I would wager that the Scirocco is pretty useless from a practical point of view with that body shape.

Still not managed to blag a drive in one sadly, or even a passenger ride so far. My local dealer hasn't had one that I've seen and I've not been able to have a drive through other avenues. Be nice to get a go though!

 

Standard fair enough.

But when peeeps start knocking 500+ out of there new RS Turbos then they will be thankful for the 4wd.

 

But the tuning potential would far greater if it were 4WD.


End of..............

 

I haven't driven one but was taken out in one and i must admit it doesn't need 4wd. I was looking at the steering when the guy was putting his foot down out of corner and he hardly had any kind of drama.

 

They did. They made 2 engine specs as well.

One of the 4wd prototype had the 3.0litre I6 Engine that was pushing out 320/350bhp with the new pistons and Borg Warner turbo. Why they never used this engine i don't know but 3.0 I6, 350bhp and 4WD would have been some great piece of kit

 

when i was at the cumbria RS show there was a white one there and the fella was saying everything is there for a 4wd set up

 

totally agree with you there fella

 

Everybody keep saying that it doesn't need 4wd due it's lighter ecc and it good for 305 bhp!! I seen the dyno test and it proved about 256bhp if I am not mistaken so it's already not 305bhp!! Then I saw the fifth gear or top gear Focus rs09 vs EVO 10 and the EVO 10 was 1 sec faster in a single lap so the japs proved that 4wd is faster then fwd right? And as someone says when you will tune it up wouldn't be better a 4wd? I think it would be... + to buy a 4wd car is cooler than a fwd one and any way in the early 90's there was a sierra 2wd and a sierra 4wd and people had options so wouldn't be better if there was these option now? I love the focus RS09 but still I say that FORD has to do better.....

 

I agree totally.

Any RS that is FWD is a watered down cost cutting machine.

RS = Rallye Sport.

FWD rally cars are the lowest class and to be fair where beginners start. Ford needed to pull the stops out to make this a classic. Sadly the only thing it is on par with is a Golf GTi. But the EsCos was a class above cars like that.

If Ford made it 4wd it would of only made the car better. Deffo the modern day RST rather than Cosworth in terms of iconic status.

 

I'd say it biggest fault is the big heavy 2.5, not the FWD. If it were 400bhp+ I'd undertand the need for 4WD mind you.

 

I think the car struggles on really tight turns putting the power down but then the 4x4 would too, the front has so much grip though and turns so well I think the chassis is fine with the power it has. They could and should make a 4x4 version thouh with 450 BHP for the mental bunch out there.

Also the rally cars are still based on the Early focus ST shape body only and NOT the RS, (check the decals on the headlights) and WRC rally cars are no longer based on the road cars-Citroen do not make a 4x4 C4 nor do Ford make a 4x4 ST, nor do etc etc

 

When you drive in tarmac, it doesnt make so big difference between 300bhp fwd or 4wd, but when you drive in gravel (or snow like i do here in finland), fwd is sooo slow without any good rally tires.

 

4wd ftw. Lovely motor either way.

 

I've mentioned this before in another post. There is a fella in Uxbridge that bought one and thought it was shite. He's a friend of a mates cousin and he is currently converting it to 4WD using the Kuga AWD and using the Haldex Torque Controller to split the Torque to 40/60. The problem he has run into is that it doesn't work well as the front has a lot of grip. If he doesn't get it right then he'll be going the RWD route.

 

But wasn't supposed to be better than a 4wd ? Again I say that I saw the Focus RS 09 1 sec slower than an EVO 10. I would never buy an EVo10 personally coz I see it as an ugly car but It is faster by 1 sec in a single lap!! so? Id like to se a focus RS09 vs a 280bhp Escort Cosworth!!!! When they make the MK1 Focus rs, people started to say that was better than an Escort cosworth but sure it wasn't!!!!