Ford Focus RS to outpace Mustang, XR8

[Express]

Ford Focus RS to outpace Mustang, XR8


Blue oval releases performance times for its all-wheel drive hot hatch.


Sam Charlwood
September 18, 2015



Ford has revealed that its Focus RS will have 257kW of power. Photo: Supplied


Ford's upcoming Focus RS hot hatch will outrun the company's most powerful V8 engines despite half the cylinder count.

Ford has announced performance times for the RS – confirming it will launch from nought to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 266km/h.

The dash to triple figures is faster than those achieved by both the supercharged V8 Mustang and supercharged V8 Falcon XR8, which notch 100km/h in 4.8 seconds and about 5.0 seconds respectively. The real test for the all-wheel drive hot hatch will be its capacity to keep up with a V8 during in-car acceleration testing.

The RS is also marginally quicker than the similarly minded Audi S3, Subaru WRX STi and Volkswagen Golf R, and narrowly behind the much more expensive Mercedes-AMG A45 (4.2 seconds) and Audi RS3 (4.3 seconds).

Speaking of price, Ford Australia is yet to confirm a starting figure for the RS, which is due in Aussie showrooms next year. The overnight release of pricing for several other international markets suggests the RS will start from about $50,000 (plus on-road costs) locally. Ford Australia has confirmed it will release prices in the coming weeks.

Developed by a dedicated Ford Performance team including input from rally star Ken Block, the RS will feature all-wheel drive power with torque vectoring technology when it lands in showrooms. Power will come courtesy of a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost engine producing 257kW and 440Nm (up to 470Nm with a transient overboost function), shared with the EcoBoost Mustang but tailored specifically for the RS.

The engine will offer more power than the Mustang thanks to a new twin-scroll turbocharger, a larger intercooler, a less restrictive intake design and bi-modal exhaust system. The work has helped raise the 2.3-litre engine's maximum rev limit to 6800rpm.

As before, the Focus RS will continued to be offered solely with a six-speed manual transmission.

Under the new all-wheel drive layout, a maximum of 70 per cent of drive torque can be diverted to the rear wheels at any one time. Up to 100 per cent of available torque at the rear axle can be sent to each rear wheel. The unit all-wheel drive unit is based on twin electronically-controlled clutch packs on each side of the rear drive unit.

"During cornering, the rear drive unit pre-emptively diverts torque to the outer rear wheel immediately based on inputs such as steering wheel angle, lateral acceleration, yaw and speed. This torque transfer has the effect of "driving" the car into the bend, achieving improved turn-in and stability, and virtually eliminating understeer," Ford explains.

"The AWD system has been tuned to deliver exceptional grip – with lateral acceleration exceeding 1 g – and class-leading cornering speed and acceleration out of a bend. With neutral and adjustable limit handling, and the ability to achieve controlled oversteer drifts at the track; the Focus RS delivers the ultimate fun-to-drive experience."

Under the skin, the RS features sports suspension with stiffened spring rates, bushes and anti roll bars, two-mode switchable dampers and an electric power-assisted steering system. The front suspension features a knuckle design and shorter link arms that purportedly deliver a more responsive steering feel. It will wear unique 19-inch Michelin tyres.

The third-generation Focus RS brings slightly tweaked exterior styling delivering "enhanced aerodynamics and cooling". Chief among the changes are a more aerodynamic front splitter, rear spoiler and new underbody features.

Standard Bi-Xenon headlamps will offer adaptive lighting, while dual exhaust outlets will feature prominently at the rear.

Inside, the RS will feature heavily-bolstered Recaro sports seats dressed in partial leather. An eight-inch colour screen resides at the top of a minimalist new instrument cluster housing functions including the Sony sound system with 10 speakers.

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/f...17-gjpbq5.html

[FPV GTHO]

There's a supercharged Mustang now?

I reckon they meant to reference the Mustang GT

[Wretched]

I cannot wait for the release of this RS.
I loved the previous one so this can only get better (though i will miss the 5 cylinder).

[Express]

Originally Posted by FPV GTHO

There's a supercharged Mustang now?

I reckon they meant to reference the Mustang GT

You're right and that error has now been corrected in the linked news article.

[Polyal]

Its a nice bit of kit, really really hard to choose between this and the WRX STI. The WRX has the Boxer which has a bit of character, if this had the I5 still then it would be a no brainer.

[MITCHAY]

I'm really interested to see the pricing on this.

[Mowdit]

Would love to do a true on road, real life comparison between the
Mustang (American),
RS (English) and
XR6T sprint (True Blue Aussie)

I was a true old school RWD person before our XR5.
Ok, the XR6T will prob have more HP, but for Aussie roads a true Ford comparison would be nice (by an average Aussie).

The Mustang has some great looks, and in V8 trim a great NOTE
The RS has AWD to get the power the ground (but **** sound) tbh
The FGX is the last true AUSSIE Ford sedan (XR8 sounds great also)

Too Be Honest, there is so much more to buying a vehicle than the power figures or 0-60/100 times

Our vote is out, we pushed hard to be early on the list for an RS, but after waiting so long we are choosing to wait till each are drivable in showrooms, we will try each (and other brands)
before ordering now, it is our hard earned and how and where we choose to spend it will not be up to "showroom or marketing influence"

Each to their own.
Goodluck all

[graham_h]

Then we'll see them modded like the old Cossie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npJJ0gR5Wec

[flooded one]

I'd love to drive one!! only complaint i reckon i would have would be exhaust note!! still it would be a fun car to drive!!