Both cars will be quite powerful. Next generation of Megane RS should be over 300 HP if RenaultSport wants to be competitive in hot hatch class. http://www.carscoops.com/2014/12/audis-new-spicy-hot-rs3-sportback-has.html?m=1 http://www.carscoops.com/2014/12/2016-ford-focus-rs-confirmed-for-us.html?m=1
You can't compare the likes on an RS3 to the "normal" hot hatches, Same with the Golf R/M135i/A45 AMG. Might be hot hatches but they are in a totally different class to your ST/MPS/VXR etc. Same goes with the new Focus RS when it is finally released, Likely with 350bhp from the 2.3 Ecoboost and hopefully 4WD.
Definitely not 4WD for Focus RS. Do you understand what reason was behind producing 4WD Escort and others?
Rumours only. You will see Focus mk3 RS still will be FWD. They didn't make 4WD even when Focus mk2 and LL Freelander were sharing mechanical elements. They just didn't need it anymore. Even Mitsubishi dropped that idea. If there is not requirement for building 4WD N4 to get homologation for A8 rally class, nobody apart of VAG (also only Haldex) and Subaru will bother to build 4WD hot hatch. Rally regulations have changed since 90's. Now those funny R class took over everything. You still should like new Ford as it will get LSD as standard.
The German variants in my eyes are hyper hatches and are more suited to the new age impress or evo. The German cars are completely soulless though to hot hatches from other manufacturers
No. I haven't heard anything about it. I am also curious about price. It seems to be good deal buy Ford Focus RS as after 5 years it will be worth more or less the same money :-)
I wonder which one will be the heaviest... They really need to stop chasing and quoting peak BHP figures and start quoting BHP/ton Don't get me wrong, id happily have either. I've actually been looking at M135i's to replace the wife's Abarth 500 I might hold off a bit longer now to see what materialises
Rumours? Aye you might of heard rumours. I have seen first hand a 4WD one testing on the Nordschleife. They didn't make the MK2 4WD because it was heavier and slower, Absolutely nothing to do with homologation for any rally class. Ford use a Haldex system in their Kuga, Not a proper 4WD system by any means but its a start.
Wouldn't proper 4WD drive mean a different monocoque? Don't these have to be designed from scratch that way nowadays? This was the reason the Escort wasn't actually a Escort but rather a shortened Sierra shell - the Mk5 Escort wasn't able to be built as a 4WD platform in a mass produced form. I'm sure a knocked-up mule could be made as a prof of concept though. My guess is FWD, LSD, 350BHP and the Mustang engine. Should still be good.
Surely you wouldn't want an LSD? Not unless your doing track days or driving like an idiot on the school run??
Whatever diff it has, it'll need to be better than the Revo Knuckle setup in Mk2.. Torque steer on that is enough to take off
Pretty sure it will be 4WD, the new diesel mondeo will be available with 4WD so makes sense to carry it over to this
Either way, it's a Ford so my guess will be, too much power for the chassis to handle, massive understeer, overweight and full of stupid toys people don't require, oh and a few daft colours and a big wing for the chavs
Have you ever driven a MK2 FRS? I was completely surprised and to be brutally honest if they were similar price to a RS250 i would have one for a while, That 5 pot engine is incredible
I too would be tempted if they were the same price. No matter what you do to your Meg (I've tried), it's nothing on the 5 cyl
Oh yeah don't get me wrong, Im not that keen on the garish styling of them either, Although they look a lot more subtle in white
No comments since the release of the new Mk III Focus Rs? Looks fantastic to me, seems they've not gone as over the top as the MKII - but the 4 wheel drive system sounds very interesting. Ford are really on a roll at the moment. The new GT replacement, the new Mustang coming to the UK, and the new RS. My only concern in buying a Focus is Mustang is that it'll be a target for the thieves, while the Megane generally goes under the radar.
I can't get into the looks of the new Focus. I know that for some, the Mk 2 was garish and over the top, but I think that's how the RS should be. Aside from UG, the MK 2 looked superb in the colours offered and has real road presence. I don't think this thing quite has that impact, but I guess that's how cars are going. A bit like we're seeing with the Civic and that each time new pics are released it's slowly being more and more dumbed down styling wise. All I care about is the Cayman GT4 and trying to earn enough money this year to buy one
They've catered for the mass market by toning down the looks but the 4WD system will make this an awesome competitor. It will be received massively well.
Iirc their budget got sank into the AWD system. Few nay Sayers on here who were quite rude at the start to people need to pop up and take a bow. Much like the 275r that people said would never happen.
It's very much 4WD. http://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-eurocars/ford-focus-rs--full-details/31573 http://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-eurocars/ford-focus-rs--the-inside-line/31583
My bad, 4WD it is, if you're referring to me. If dinn, I think he left... Back to the actual car - 5 door only so absolutely no interest from me.
Good luck buying a hot hatch in years to come then. They will all be 5 door before long. The next gen Megane will be I'm sure.
Any bets on the focus opening up bog standard at around 28k but a decent specc'd one being 32-34k? Its also pretty much a haldex system for the 4wd isnt it? Hope the focus RS is a better drive than the current ST as the torque steer on that is shocking
