First lap times for the new Focus RS appearing. Very disappointing considering all the hype. Let's hope it can do better than this: Inta Circuit Spain: Megane R26R: 1.11.78 New Focus RS: 1.12.30 Megane 250: 1.12.70
Just been out in it and I can not wait for mine now, even had a little drive (did not really want to). The torque is fantastic even being really gentle as it was my mates brand new car but it feels so much more powerful than my old 300bhp Megane 250. And the pops and bangs are great, the ride is fine in standard damping mode no more bumpy than the Megane and such a nice short positive gear change. I only got a couple of photos as it was getting dark they are not very good.
Interesting comparison - the chubby Ford RS to a Megane 250 mapped to 300 bhp. Should it feel faster? 345 bhp plays 300 bhp. Megane 250 @ 1380 kg, but the Ford is lardy 1525 kg kerb. Power to weights: Ford 226 bhp/ton, the Megane 217 bhp/ton. Not much in it. Colin Chapman has been right all along........
I had a go in one of these recently and the FRS felt good (my rs250 is mapped). You can mash the accelerator in first and second and it just grips and goes where as I have to be more considerate in my RS. The brakes still felt good after 12 100-20mph stops int he space of 10mins. Drift mode is fun but didn't get to use it for long. Handling felt plenty nimble but I didn't drive it on a proper twisty section. I wouldn't be too upset if I ended up in one , the drive definitely has changed my perspective
A mapped 250 has the same torque as the Focus with about 325 lb ft from 2500 rpm. Even in Ford over boost to 347 lb ft the Megane has the weight advantage. The Ford loses out. Why compare a mapped car to a stock Ford RS as its not a fair comparison? Well it was mentioned in this thread about it feels faster than a mapped Meg, which it isn't really once on the roll, but more importantly there is a lot of speculation (and sound sources) that indicate the MK3 Focus RS will not be tuneable due to transmission limitations. That is leaving many potential Ford fan boys now questioning a purchase. Lots of forum chat. You could easily trick a MK2 Focus RS up to 400 bhp and its lighter. The new MK3 Ford RS may just end up being power limited and constantly spanked by stuff like the Golf R. The hype is starting to wear off. Reality is hitting home. It reminds me of all the hype that surrounded the new Civic Type R. Good car but not a revelation.
50 bhp either way will make little difference once rolling from my experience. Being nimble and able to brake hard do make a big difference though. When we go out to Wales in cars ranging from Clio, 197 to 911 Carrera and TVR t350, the Clio is usually the quickest over the twisties. Also Very little in it between the little Clio and my golf r and my track prepped e36 m3. It was the same story when I took the cup 275s on test drive to the evo triangle in convoy with the little Clio. Still ordered one though. Get mine in June. Handling and feel is sublime.
Pumabuild already have 385bhp out of it with just a map https://www.facebook.com/Pumabuild-135922689858691/
Should be interesting, 400bhp with hardware changes. Still waiting for an official mountune package, that's rumoured to be around the 380 mark.
If I did modify mine it would be Mountune but I don't think I will bother perhaps a Mountune exhaust later on but that's all it will need imo.
I have no plans to modify yet, even the warranty friendly package I'll wait a year at least. Just in case.
No point doing anything too quickly as you would not be able to appreciate the car properly, and it give real world testing time to find the bugs.
Spotted a nitrous blue with the forged alloys in Aberdeen yesterday, got to admit it does have some presence and looked the dogs danglies.
I love the look of these but not too keen on that blue wouldn't mind seeing what it looks like in black ! Haven't seen any on the road yet ?
Very intrigued to know what people are paying finance wise on these. These hatchbacks are starting to get very pricey.
I'm sure the guys awaiting delivery in this thread will be able to provide the relevant info. If if you want one you can avoid the wait as there are loads of cancelled orders now appearing. Looks like quite a few are backing out.
local ford dealer had these outside, would have thought they'd be out the back, also had a couple of mustangs Ford by matt eaton, on Flickr Ford by matt eaton, on Flickr Ford by matt eaton, on Flickr Ford by matt eaton, on Flickr Ford by matt eaton, on Flickr Ford by matt eaton, on Flickr Ford by matt eaton, on Flickr Ford by matt eaton, on Flickr
Saw my 1st RS the other day in grey, ST looks better the RS looks thin and tall definitely no head turner for my eyes
Yep, not a looker is it. A Mk3 Megane easily wins that one. I might pop down a dealer and have a look at one as there will be plenty there as they are now all on a safety recall lol. Owners have only just finished polishing them. It's been a painfull birth......
Finally got the call, mines at the dealership tomorrow. There's also a recall on a small number of cars issued today.
I've just had a trawl of the classifieds and they are full of speculators flogging this new Focus RS. Even those close to list are not selling, so not good for those that think they will make a quick buck and have them at comedy prices. This is a Ford, not a Porsche RS and there is still no final decision on it being a limited production run.
Good vid, strange result as the Merc AMG A45 won everything and then they give the win to the Ford. The hype continues.
They were all lap timed in changing conditions. Not that representative. More lap times for the Ford are needed, particularly on the Ring.
When i started this thread back in Sept last year,, i never thought it would turn into a slagging match, , ,oh well!!
when you have a wind up merchant, it'll be the outcome of every thread he trolls. It's a great car, the motoring press all seem to love it, they can't all be getting paid off. It might not be ahead in ring lap times, but thats just bragging rights, its how it drives day to day in the real world, plus i think its a nice looking bit of kit. For the money, there really isn't anything to touch it, who would buy a type R now? Plus it'll hold a decent amount of used value as every other RS Ford has done.
