2016 Focus RS discussion

[blueoval]

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/ne...cus-rs-planned

Ford Performance is watching reaction to the new Focus RS closely before signing off an even quicker limited-run special.

Ford insiders have confirmed that an even more hardcore version of the 345bhp five-door is under consideration - and it has the potential to be the fastest-accelerating hatchback in history.

Ford’s options for bringing extra grip, performance and excitement to the new RS will be delivered mainly through weight saving and upgrading the RS’s drivetrain. This will be possible in a car with an asking price that could even eclipse the £40,000 of the Ford’s premium-branded opposition.

However, the car’s 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine is already operating close to its maximum and attempts to conjure more power will be hampered by the lack of room for additional cooling capacity.

Because budget constraints have limited Ford’s weight-saving options with the standard RS, there’s plenty of potential for improving the car’s power-to-weight ratio by adding lightness to a more expensive version.

Polycarbonate glazing, carbonfibre-reinforced plastic bodywork, forged aluminium suspension componentry, carbonfibre brakes, less noise insulation and a stripped-out interior could take upwards of 100kg out of the car - even after the drivetrain additions under consideration have 
been grafted on.

Those additions are likely to consist of an electronically controlled limited-slip differential for the front axle, tuned to work with the GKN-supplied rear drive unit, and 
a dual-clutch automatic gearbox. A limited-slip front-axle differential is already known to improve the RS’s handling and was under consideration for the standard car, an insider has revealed.

The obvious paddle-shift gearbox option would be Ford’s Powershift transmission, supplied by Getrag, but it is currently rated for engines with peak torque of 332lb ft, so it would need some modification.

Ford’s performance targets for the super-heated RS will be to make it quicker over the benchmark 0-62mph sprint than the latest Mercedes-AMG A45 (4.2sec) and the Audi RS3 (4.3sec). The regular RS’s claim (4.7sec) would suggest there’s plenty to do to meet that target, but company insiders have confirmed that even the standard car is much closer to Germany’s big hitters when fitted with optional 19in forged wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 semi-slick tyres.

If the potential is there to make the Focus the first hot hatch since the 2010 Subaru Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 to break the 4.0sec 0-62mph barrier, expect Ford to seize it.

[JVC063]

This RS Focus is great, but the A45 Merc is only 2 litre motor and fitted with all the options can do 4.2 sec time. What would happen if they built a weight saving version of the A45 as well.

[stig_3754]

Originally Posted by JVC063

This RS Focus is great, but the A45 Merc is only 2 litre motor and fitted with all the options can do 4.2 sec time. What would happen if they built a weight saving version of the A45 as well.

Charge $200,000 for the privilege.

[Cheech]

Press release kits & info docs:

http://focusrs.fordpresskits.com/

[Craig@AUDI]

Sold 7 of our 8 cars allocated, popular car!

[Tbm1121]

Originally Posted by Craig@Rockdale

Sold 7 of our 8 cars allocated, popular car!

Wish we had 8, we got 2! One early, one late. Sold the first one, the guy found that he couldn't justify an extra 45k for the rs3..... And similar wait period

[Craig@AUDI]

2! Ouch!

[EWT]

What would be the waiting period for a Focus RS if order was placed , say this week?

[Cheech]

Originally Posted by EWT

What would be the waiting period for a Focus RS if order was placed , say this week?

How long is a piece of string ?

Dealer can't say when.
FoA can't say when.
Aus bound cars are not even scheduled by Saarlouis to be built yet AFAIK.
(USA & UK buyers have already received build scheduling/confirmation dates).

Originally told end of q1 2016. I think this was very optimistic. Looking more like mid 2016. Or maybe they meant end of financial q1 2016 (Sept) !

[Craig@AUDI]

Originally Posted by EWT

What would be the waiting period for a Focus RS if order was placed , say this week?

Depends on the dealer and how many cars they are getting vs already sold it seems?

[Cheech]

Today from an RS Forum:

OK...located in Perth, WA.
I paid my deposit way back in March this year - I was first to order at the dealership. My dealer is only getting one allocated in the first shipment....my order has been confirmed today with a stock number allocated...build in March 2016...hopefully arriving May-ish. Nitrous Blue with forged wheel/Michelin combo

[Tbm1121]

Originally Posted by Craig@Rockdale

2! Ouch!

Ouch indeed....

Considering placing an order on the second one if it's still available after I've driven the first one.

[ED Classic]

Are they going to do an Auto one of these at some stage? (Yes i know manual,track/race/tradition/rally/who wants an auto etc etc).. but just thinking most of its competitors the auto is either the only option or way outsells the manual in the case of the golf r

[Top_Ghia]

No they are not doing an auto.

[FPV GTHO]

I think it's too hard to rule out doing it at some stage.

[Tbm1121]

Originally Posted by ED Classic

Are they going to do an Auto one of these at some stage? (Yes i know manual,track/race/tradition/rally/who wants an auto etc etc).. but just thinking most of its competitors the auto is either the only option or way outsells the manual in the case of the golf r

They won't supply enough to fulfill demand in manual only, they will be years away from contemplating an auto

[ED Classic]

Cheers

[GazzF6]

Great story about the RS here:
http://www.topspeed.com/cars/ford/20...-ar124726.html

Apologies if link has been posted previous..

[In Focus]

Originally Posted by ED Classic

Are they going to do an Auto one of these at some stage? (Yes i know manual,track/race/tradition/rally/who wants an auto etc etc).. but just thinking most of its competitors the auto is either the only option or way outsells the manual in the case of the golf r

Refer above, although only a rumour/possibility at this stage:

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showpos...&postcount=211

[Cheech]

First review in:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/...ocus-rs-review

[Wretched]

Drift mode coming to AU?
http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/f...18-gm8owq.html

[Craig@AUDI]

Originally Posted by Wretched

Drift mode coming to AU?
http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/f...18-gm8owq.html

Yeeee haw!

[FPV GTHO]

Notice though that other than the drift AWD setting, the 4 modes are just different.combinations of 2 settings?

[Cheech]

Modes explained:

[Cheech]

Reviews.

Car and driver:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t-drive-review

Auto Express:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/focus/rs-hatchback

Evo:

http://www.evo.co.uk/ford/focus-rs/1...hot-hatch-ever


This wait is killing me !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cheech]

Top gear review (FWIW):

http://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/f...rs/first-drive

[Cheech]

Holy carp - what a review !

http://www.motoring.com.au/ford-focus-rs-review-101008/

[Tbm1121]

Originally Posted by Cheech

Holy carp - what a review !

http://www.motoring.com.au/ford-focus-rs-review-101008/

180km to a tank...... Wow.

Hoping the car has extremely low km's and that he thrashed it the whole time haha.

Otherwise there will be some problems

[Cheech]

Originally Posted by Tbm1121

180km to a tank...... Wow.

Hoping the car has extremely low km's and that he thrashed it the whole time haha.

Otherwise there will be some problems

Yeah.... He mentioned he took it for a intense run through the hills.
Being a motoring journalist I'd assume he flogged it within an inch of its life.

I know from being on track with an xr6t I would empty a tank in 4x20
minute sessions.

Quoted fuel economy is in the eights which is fine for a car with these capabilities.

[Top_Ghia]

The good news is you should be able to get a cheap Golf R or STi now😉