Another win and another 5 star rating in the Autoexpress Focus RS, RS3 and M2 road test. I'm glad we're seeing tests that compare the Focus against worthy competitors.
Seen my first M2 in Aberdeen yesterday. Heard it before I seen it. Looked very plain. But sounded the dogs danglies. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
nice, attacks corners as I'd want to and seems to hold on ok, sadly vid stops just before Blanchimont, was hoping to see stability there but good through Eau Rouge
Chasing? The GT4 leaves it for dead, as you would expect. The Ford only just keeps it in sight due to traffic infront of the Porsche.
Looks a good day, seems he has not driven Spa as lines were awful and too much tyre squeal. The way he attacked all the curbs would not like to be the owner of one of these press cars. Sounds good though!
This video proves nothing other than the bloke driving the Seat is a better driver and I'm sure from the amount of videos this guy has made at the ring he knows it like the back of his hand. I've seen videos of a Megane 250 beating a Ferrari 458 at the ring. Does that make it a better car? No. And I'm not a focus fan boy either, I drove one today and was quite underwhelmed by the power delivery. However it felt like it was on rails going round corners and I'm sure with the focus in the hands of the driver in the Leon, I might of been a different outcome.
Lots of feedback around saying although it's quick out the blocks, on the roll could be better. EVO has just group tested it and the performance figures have generated a fair bit of discussion. Some disappointment.
Seen some reports that the engine does not take kind to increased power.was told ford had to detune it to make it reliable. Not so good for the tuning boys.
So we're now comparing a car that is modified with a well established driver to a car that is completely unknown in terms of driver and tune state. Someone's extra chromosome is really starting to show. Can we have more "balance" please?
I've seen some reports that the same engine from the mustang has been tuned to nearly 500 whp. Love internet reports.
Yeah, weird isn't it because the Focus RS is as fast as a Porsche GT4. Someone posted a video of it....
So we've gone from "as fast as" (you made that bit up) to chasing? Which by definition is correct. Nice one. You fail yet again.
Anyway, after another unsuccessful attempt by someone to derail the thread lets get back on topic. http://www.topgear.com/car-news/insider/we-build-our-car-year-ford-focus-rs#1
The Seat, which was being driven by someone who knows the Ring very, very well. And also being far from standard now. Its near enough a full blow track/race car [emoji23]
From this week's Autocar: "The Focus RS theme is finally established. The RS isnt an easy car to live with its too thirsty, its seats are too high and the opportunities to exploit its handling are not ever-present. But if the modern interpretation of RS has finally established itself as anything, its occasional, high-end pleasure The most fun you can currently have in a hot hatchback, on road or track To find something that corners with the same ability, breathtaking confidence and mind-bending mechanical trickery, you have to look at a car like the Nissan GT-R. Ford, which specialises in democratising hot hatch fun (take a bow, Fiesta ST), has democratised specialness and uniqueness; it has created a hot hatch that you might buy just for weekend use, as you perhaps would a high-end sports or supercar, yet its one that costs only £30,000 brand new. No other hot hatch can quite do that. Yes, a Honda Civic Type R is raucous and raw and a BMW M135i slithery and entertaining. Want a great everyday hot hatch? The Volkswagen Golf R is your choice. But the Focus, when in its element, is in another league, and to hell with the compromises."
On the money that, and it is in another league. No matter what they throw at it, how much more expensive it is, it keeps coming back strong. Ford have played a blinder.
It's in another league pricewise too. It's £13k more than what I just paid for a Meg RS, when spec is equalised. And quite a lot heavier. I will have a drive in it and see how good it is as the systematic journalistic hyperbole when any major hot hatch comes out can be deceiving.
It's certainly a corpulent and chubby little number and the real car will eventually be revealed once the jurnos have a new target for a bit of public interest and revenue generation.
Not when it's compared to hot hatches in its class, it's cheaper than its relevant competitors. With reference to the megane price, that's always been the case with renaultsport, they're always heavily discounted for the non limited models, ring times aren't enough to keep the retail price relevant. Not to mention it's now worth even less than your discounted price.
Picked mine up today done 250 miles already, what a car!!! The grip it can produce is phenomenal. Straight line wise it feels as quick as my 300bhp megane however I feel the focus would just edge it. If it is capable of getting to a safe 400bhp i can't see much touching it on road.
http://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-features/ford-focus-rs-vs-honda-civic-type-r/34266 Pretty much as you'd expect from previous reviews. The Civic being the faster so long as it's DRY, the focus the better and more capable all rounder.
i showed the mrs this morning she laughed. we went out last night and it was absolutely hammering it down, the car just laughed at the wet road traction control didnt even cut in once. Certainly happy with my choice, The only downside to the experience has been the dealer experience and fords F.U. towards discounts but i guess any clever business would when its a classic case of supply and demand
Noticed westhill cars in Aberdeen have a nitrous blue for sale as I passed by the other day. £38k with delivery mileage. Definitely growing on me more. Although not changing out mine for a while and see what the new rs Meg delivers. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I think you're underplaying the review a little there tbf. "None of those are enough to take a victory from the Type R though. The conditions favoured it, and the verdict could well have been different with Wales under water (as it tends to be). On warm, dry tarmac though, be that road or track, the Civic is simply more exciting, more fun and more involving than the Focus." I take your point about the weather though but when I feel like having a blast, I only tend to do so when it's dry and warm. I do understand other people are different however.
Not really, I give the Civic credit where it's due. It's still limited, your quote even says so "The conditions favoured it." We can't escape the fact that in a climate like ours the Focus will, and does offer the all round package where the Civic doesn't. "It's a very well rounded package, offering strengths in all areas and no startling deficiencies in any." I've been in high powered FWD Renault cars for the last 11 years. They're fantastic when the conditions allow, but all that power and suspension trickery gets shown up very quickly in unfavourable conditions. The current crop of hot hatches all make great options for Buyers, none are miles ahead of each other. Some are more expensive than others, some also hold their value better than others, some will go around a track in the dry faster than others. For price, driver enjoyment, real world performance and everyday usability, the Focus is at the top of its game.
Most honest review so far. Unqualified win for the Honda then. Lighter, more engaging and fun. Probably not what the Ford boys were expecting, but like most heavy 4WD offerings, they are functional but just lack the fiz, zip and 24/7 involvement of the best lightweight FWD hatches.
Depends what kinda car your looking for , iv had a r26 (280bhp , 300lbft )for 8 years , great car fast ,great handling but at 9 year old this year was time to let it go , i didnt fancy spending 25K plus on a new megane as when i bought my r26 brand new it came in at 19500 pounds and the game hasnt moved on that much, so it now looks like a change for me maybe a bmw m135i/golf R, not sure i could drive a focus RS everyday no matter how good it is, i like a low key car
You're right, the FWD hatches haven't moved on enough. They may be able to bang out a fast dry lap time, but most people have moved on from the one trick ponies. An everyday useable car that can cater for all needs and still excite is where it's at now.
Was chatting to my mate who was driving it around spa said it was really good, you did feel the weight but the damping hid it well. Apparently the seat is mounted far too high and it's not adjustable? Big mistake there if so and the interior is the weakest part - shame they cocked up the inside seeing as you spend all your time inside it! Just can't look past the weight of the thing, like having another 3 people in my car all the time
