Ford Focus Rs mk3

Discussion in 'Other Automotive Brands' started by kentbloke, Sep 28, 2015.

  1. Yes, 1600kgs, what's that about ? As a road car, I'd prefer a RWD M140i 3-dr at £25k after discount. But it's not driveable on the road apparently. What's happened to throttle modulation ;-)? The reality is that I am glad 4wd hot hatches exist. For your average hand at the top of the wheel driver (jokes).
     
  2. Pistonheads have just reaffirmed what all passionate and knowledgeable drivers and manufacturers already know, 2WD is where it's at. There is no need to move the game on, it's already established.
     
    Ian Hughes likes this.
  3. R26

    R26

    I'm glad they exist too, for the individuals who enjoy driving when they choose, not when the weather allows.

    Honda, at the top of the fwd game, it's a small game, and it suits a certain type of person, usually the type that gets moist over dry lap times.

    Here's some wet ones caused by the tears of old and out of date hot hatch owners.

    Throttle modulate that.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: May 23, 2016
    Georgeski likes this.
  4. What do you mean not driveable on the road?
     
  5. R26

    R26

    No doubt got himself confused. Was probably a reference to the limitations of 2wd cars in unfavourable conditions. The type of conditions that see those types of cars unable to perform to their full potential. The type of conditions AWD performance will exceed.

    The current AWD hatches match the performance of all the current offerings of the lesser models, and then thump them in all other conditions, it's the future. Best get on board.
     
  6. I d
    I drove my M135i all year round, sometimes on winter tyres sometimes on PSS. The idea that 4wd helps in winter compared to 2wd is quite odd when the appropriate tyre is fitted. It's essentially about the contact patch. The idea that 4wd creates traction out of nothing seems odd but again, I am glad some drivers have the option, although when braking, 4wd does not work obviously, it adds useless weight. As for lap times, timing is not allowed on track days, but I am sure you knew that.
     
    Xanda73 likes this.
  7. it does certainly look like a good car but could not see my self ever parting with almost £40k for a ford no matter how good it is, in a few years could be a good buy on the second hand market
     
  8. I have driven a 911 turbo and Impreza, both 4WD. I could really feel the weight of the 4WD and it made the feel heavy. It does make the car feel more stable but there's definitely not the same type of handling as 2WD car.
     
  9. I went to a supercar meet in Preston yesterday and saw a new focus rs for the first time. It was in a metallic grey colour. And i was really unimpressed. It was parked next to a 2014 focus st (in performance blue) And a white mk2 rs. It just lacked the character of the mk2 and looks very similar to the st up close. I didnt even bother taking a pic it looked that average. Me and the wife both turned to eachother and said whats the big deal about.
     
  10. R26

    R26

    The evidence is clear, why did they drop so many fwd cars from that test. And why did the only fwd car do so badly, because it's limited to dry roads. 4wd does add to traction, in all weather, that's why 4wd cars are vastly quicker off the mark, not quite sure how that escapes you. A 2wd car will be helped with a winter tyre, but it'll still be limited as a 4wd car with the same tyre will be exceptionally better at putting the power down that's a fact.

    It's funny how lap times are praised when they apply to the cars that are owned, but disregarded when they don't.

    Lol, getting desperate now.
    "As for lap times, timing is not allowed on track days, but I am sure you knew that."

    http://www.rsmegane.com/threads/megane-rs-monitor-v2-circuit-data.11459/
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2016
    martin1977 likes this.
  11. R26

    R26

    I'm glad they toned down the styling, it's meant the chav status has been forgotten, and the associated types are no longer interested.

    The Civic is now the wagon of choice for the tracksuit wearing type.
     
  12. R26

    R26

  13. I'm not quite understanding the hate for the focus?
    It was the same with the mk2 rs on the old site aswell

    When it all boils down to it they are very special cars, people who are slating them clearly haven't owned them

    I will always cherish the R26 and I truly believe renault moved the game on massively with it. However I believe ford are doing the same with the mk3 now

    Just watch in the next 2-3years how the hot hatch marker pops up with 4wd 300+bhp cars
     
  14. I never said I don't like the ford. It is a different kind of animal.... but it has has its own cons (as everything in this world) : Heavy and "thirsty" to buy and run...
     
  15. Quite liking the way dry lap times are rubbished yet wet lap times are referenced and quoted inc screen shots.

    Bloated 4WD hot hatches are not the future, they will only ever be a small part of it. Weight, complex engineering and subsequent cost also drives them into sectors with desirable 2WD rivals. The moment a wheel turns with 4WD you are always shifting the big bulk, that's at any speed, any conditions and 24/7. What a car does and how it feels is just as important when it's not on the limit.

    Anyway, all the best drivers cars are 2WD. Nobody looks to 4WD to give them that interaction, control, feedback and sense of engagement and connection you achieve with 2WD. 4WD is a functional solution, just not for everyone.
     
  16. R26

    R26

    Exactly, the markets are moving on. I've said it time and time again, 2wd, particularly fwd is a one trick pony, getting so powerful they're limited to dry lap times only. Every road test has pointed to it, the Civic being dropped from wet tests, and only managing to pull a small victory in the dry. 4wd has almost got them all beaten in the dry, and has them all truly beaten in the wet. One thing to note, the dry time differences are very small, the wet time differences are massive.

    It's been a massive trend in here for the FWD massive to pounce on dry times, even when it's a different manufacturer pulling them off. But when those same cars can't pull of an even slightly damp time, suddenly lap times are irrelevant. Some really blinkered fans in here.
     
  17. Looking forward to the Focus RS versus Meg RS (4wd) debate now. I think all hot hatch cars will go this way. Even the new Bmw m140i is being offered with xdrive now. That'll be a cracker if it's well executed.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    R26 likes this.
  18. R26

    R26

    martin1977 likes this.
  19. Seems like you have a answer for everything. I dont blame you having spent that much on a focus.

    I doubt many tracksuit wearing type could afford to buy any new hot hatches these days. Apart from the smaller hatches.

    And im not saying i dislike the focus. Looks a decent car as does the mk3 st i just couldnt see what the fuss is about. In the presence of various supercars and various hot hatches it got much less attention than i thought it would and less than all these reviews make out it should. Obviously everybody else (at the supercar meet)also cant see what the fuss is about. Im disappointed in how underwhelmed i was when i actually got to see one up close.

    If the focus really is the best hot hatch at the moment the bar hasnt been raised that much. Says it all, when a 7 year old design megane is still being compared against it. Will the focus still be held in as high regard in 7 years time against the competition?
     
  20. -Jamie-

    -Jamie- RSM Moderator

    Seen a few of these out at the Ring this weekend, The ones that are driven well do seem fairly quick.

    I had a cracking lap with a local driving one, His having the forged wheels and PSC2's, The Megane still had the legs on it both straight line and corners but it was still a cracking lap and pretty impressive from the Focus
     
  21. R26

    R26

    I can see the issue here, you're wondering what all the fuss is about after seeing one in the flesh. I suppose a lot of the fuss was generated after the car was driven and not just looked at.

    Now the styling isn't for everyone, some people want big bulging arches with bonnet vents and lots of other stick on stuff. I'm sure the aftermarket will have a field day with it, mountune themselves have posted pictures of a body kit, looks a bit gash but each to their own. As a global car it was always going to be less in your face. I'm just glad it's been praised for its abilities and not because it looks like something drawn by a child.

    Will it be held in such high regard in years to come? Who knows, fast Fords do pretty well, but it's still anyone's guess.

    It was always going to be pitted against cars young and old, it's just what the market currently has to offer that decides what it goes up against, had the current megane been replaced already, it would never have been mentioned.
     
  22. R26

    R26

    Oh, and this.
    http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/autocarawards2016
    "Ford has perfected a way of making a new RS’s arrival seem as momentous as any supercar’s. That wouldn’t work if the model didn’t measure up, but this one does – and how. As a gauntlet to its rivals, the RS impact is crater deep."
     

  23. You're starting to sound like aerofoil now
     
    Xanda73, R26 and -Jamie- like this.
  24. Two, or four wheel drive?.No difference for me on track, i am not a good enough driver.
     
  25. R26

    R26

    To beat a troll, one must become.......
     
  26. R26

    R26

    Pumabuild are the first to show their hand.

    Coming soon.... PUMABUILD MyFlash for NEW FOCUS RS

    You may remember last month we were the first company to tune a Focus RS. Well this month we have managed to put all our work on to a nice hand held tuning device.

    Simply plug into your Focus RS 2016 and apply a tune file.
    Up to 5 tune files can be stored on this handset.
    1. PERFORMANCE (370hp)
    2. PERFORMANCE + BURBLE
    3. RACE (optimised for Scorpion exhaust and air filter 390hp)
    4. Low Power (250hp)
    5. NO START (anti theft)

    As well as these 5 tune files you also have your ORIGINAL file so you can put back your vehicle back to stock before you take your car to the dealers.

    Comes with code reader so you can read and delete DTC codes.

    Available to pre order NOW
    PUMABUILD 0121-356-2638
     
  27. To beat a troll, one mustn't bite..but you sure did
     
  28. R26

    R26

    Not biting is one way, another way is to show how full of BS some people are, and it's not just Tinfoil. Anyway, where is the old boy? 2 bhp and an air filter?

    It's been fun kids.
     
  29. The focus may weigh a bit, but its still the one to beat according to just about every test i've read, its the best all rounder, for the record, i'd still have a 275 Cup-S.
     
  30. R26 likes this.
  31. R26

    R26

    sunnylunn likes this.
  32. i saw that aswell, he's definetly confirmed his troll status. I dont believe hes got a 275 either!
     
    sunnylunn likes this.
  33. R26

    R26

    I'll take him for a spin, help him in his dilemma! :-)
     
    sunnylunn likes this.
  34. haha just make sure its in the wet to prove a point as we all know 2wd is king in the dry :smile:
     
  35. R26

    R26

    Don't worry, I'll make sure it's a mix of wet and dry, that way it's balanced.

    I also look forward to the backtracking post.
     
  36. Oh dear, what goes around............
     
  37. R26

    R26

    Don't worry, just found it again.

    Lol
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2016
    sunnylunn likes this.
  38. Focus RS being good or not whats pissing me off is the hype. It's not as good as they hype'd it to be. It looks crap in my opinion (but thats personal opinion and I presume we're all allowed one?)

    If you hype a car to be the best car ever thats ground breaking then make it that way.

    A45 AMG is quicker
    Various others look better
    Ford won't put it onto Nurburgring fair enough but what records make is ground breaking?
    Reliability is already being questioned
    Several other hot hatches gearboxes are superior
    etc etc

    As said not saying it's not a good car, but its not for me and it's over-hyped. Of course speed and performance isn't everything (although in a £30k+ performance hot hatch its a pretty big part of the idea of it) I would spend my money elsewhere.

    So with it being;

    Not the quickest
    Not the most pleasing to look at
    Not record breaking in terms of track ability
    Teething issues with some launch models (which can be expected by any new car on launch so i'd ignore that)
    Not thousands of pounds cheaper than competitors
    Not a prestige badge / german engineered like the M2, A45 etc

    What is ground breaking with the Focus? Why is it better? As said everything above is my 'personal' opinion
     
    Just-that-ek likes this.

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