Focus RS will be awd

[dyn085]

Damn that looks mighty nice. I like those wheels more than the current ones. Back to RS talk!

You'll hate the rear-

As for RS talk, it's all just speculation. There's a ton of rumor, but until Ford starts trying to generate interest we'll all just be stuck trying to sift through to syringe what is/isn't correct. My bet is awd at approx 330 hp in the 2.3l selling for $34-36k before dealer-gouging.

 

[Kip2MyLou]

I don't mind the new rear in a darker color since you really can't see the diffuser that much but it looks kinda terrible in white.

 

[Tuenn76]

My bet is awd at approx 330 hp in the 2.3l

2 out of 3 are right.

 

[TheStig]

I think it will have a Coyote 5.0 shoe-horned under the hood.

Ask me how i know.

 

[dyn085]

2 out of 3 are right.

And like I've said, I could care less if it's fwd. The RS has always been marketed as the bat-shit crazy fwd of all fwd cars. To change that now would be odd, but not necessarily illogical. So long as the dealerships aren't blatant rapists I will be buying one.

 

[TheStig]

And like I've said, I could care less if it's fwd. The RS has always been marketed as the bat-shit crazy fwd of all fwd cars. To change that now would be odd, but not necessarily illogical. So long as the dealerships aren't blatant rapists I will be buying one.

What scares me about what has been thrown around is if the USA gets it "Low production car"

I.E. Maybe the MSRP is 34k but its a "how much are you willing to pay" type of car since there will be limited number of them. Joe Blow waiting behind you may be willing to pay 40k.

 

[dyn085]

What scares me about what has been thrown around is if the USA gets it "Low production car"

I.E. Maybe the MSRP is 34k but its a "how much are you willing to pay" type of car since there will be limited number of them. Joe Blow waiting behind you may be willing to pay 40k.

Hence my dealership comment. When the ST was released in the US they tried tacking on $5k for the privilege of selling you one. Needless to say, not many cars moved.

The RS has always been limited and I think there were only 11,500 of the Mk2 RS...spread out over 3 years. So yes, there is the possibility of dealerships trying to take it up to $40k (assuming $34-36k MSRP). Only time will tell, unfortunately. I can say that personally I absolutely refuse to pay mark-up like that, regardless of how limited it is.

 

[CanadianST]

The RS really REALLY interests me but we'll see what happens when final specs/pricing are realesed. If it's MSRP is $34-36k in the states (a guess) who knows what it'll be up here. Add to the fact that with such a low population and demand for cars like that in my area (i'm still the only ST) i'll never see one let alone drive one before i decided to buy it so the numbers will have to be amazing for me to even consider one. Still holding out hope that it won't be crazy expensive!

 

[Slimer]

Im just going to leave this here...

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v...DKqiBbjkh9HxiCh5rbw-Mp3kXgz0dZxFxoVNZem71U&e=

 

[dyn085]

And the awd variant of the same story-
http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-videos/video-2016-focus-rs-shows-off-awd-chops?src=soc_fcbks

Surely someone is right.

 

[razorlab]

And the awd variant of the same story-
http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-videos/video-2016-focus-rs-shows-off-awd-chops?src=soc_fcbks

Surely someone is right.

"Senior Editor Jason Cammisa called attention to the attitude of the car between 33 and 36 seconds into the video: "He makes it through the whole corner without lifting off the power. The car understeers at corner entry, and then (key point here) transitions to slight oversteer on the exit. That doesn’t happen on front-wheel-drive cars under power (usually), so I’m calling it AWD."

Apparently Jason hasn't driven a FiST?

Honestly that looks FWD to me, I was going to say I can't see a rear diff in that one shot of it rolling in the beginning but if it's using haldex, the rear diff is really small and usually tucked up pretty far so it's harder to see than say, a Subaru or Evo.

Example:

 

[dyn085]

"Senior Editor Jason Cammisa called attention to the attitude of the car between 33 and 36 seconds into the video: "He makes it through the whole corner without lifting off the power. The car understeers at corner entry, and then (key point here) transitions to slight oversteer on the exit. That doesn?t happen on front-wheel-drive cars under power (usually), so I?m calling it AWD."

Apparently Jason hasn't driven a FiST?

Honestly that looks FWD to me, I was going to say I can't see a rear diff in that one shot of it rolling in the beginning but if it's using haldex, the rear diff is really small and usually tucked up pretty far so it's harder to see than say, a Subaru or Evo.

I had the same thought when seeing the shots from the rear. Nonetheless, even the 'pro's' have differing opinions of the drivetrain layout, so it shouldn't be much of a stretch that possible future customers would currently disagree as well.

 

[rodmoe]

Hmmmm maybe it will be out in time for the Chicago Auto show this coming year .. maybe we can get hooked up again eh MK?

 

[TheStig]

I personally think that Ford should pounce on the age group that Mitsubishi just vacated by axing the EVO, make the sucker AWD and STI beating.

Maybe then Subaru will respond with a hotter STI, everyone wins!

 

[razorlab]

I personally think that Ford should pounce on the age group that Mitsubishi just vacated by axing the EVO, make the sucker AWD and STI beating.

Maybe then Subaru will respond with a hotter STI, everyone wins!

It would be nice to have more options in that space. I recently went on a two year escapade of trying to find a car to replace my 05 Evo 8 MR I had for ten years. I went through a bunch of test drives, a bunch of car purchases and never found it. Surprisingly, the Fiesta ST was the only one that gave me close to the same driving feel and "specialness" factor. Unfortunately it isn't AWD nor does it handle the same but it's great for what it is.

I actually like driving it more than my 2014 Evo 10 GSR. Unless I feel like driving a rolling sledgehammer, then I drive the Evo 10.

 

[airjor13]

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/10/21/ford-focus-rs-imported-europe-report/

 

[razorlab]

So much hype for a car that they are saying won't be here until 2016

 

[TheStig]

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/10/21/ford-focus-rs-imported-europe-report/

Im liking that 28.5k price tag, that makes it very manageable for all of us.

Doubt it actually sells at that if it is AWD. Thats within sniffing distance of the current FOST which has smaller engine, less power, smaller brakes, not AWD, etc etc.

 

[TheStig]

It would be nice to have more options in that space. I recently went on a two year escapade of trying to find a car to replace my 05 Evo 8 MR I had for ten years. I went through a bunch of test drives, a bunch of car purchases and never found it. Surprisingly, the Fiesta ST was the only one that gave me close to the same driving feel and "specialness" factor. Unfortunately it isn't AWD nor does it handle the same but it's great for what it is.

I actually like driving it more than my 2014 Evo 10 GSR. Unless I feel like driving a rolling sledgehammer, then I drive the Evo 10.

I really liked the Evo10 when i drove it but the small issues it had that were very documented online pushed me away to Subaru, if not for the price i would have owned an 08/09 Subaru STI Wagon instead of the cheaper Mazdaspeed 3 i previously had.

Evo10 took a big step back from its two older siblings sporting iron blocks.

 

[razorlab]

I really liked the Evo10 when i drove it but the small issues it had that were very documented online pushed me away to Subaru, if not for the price i would have owned an 08/09 Subaru STI Wagon instead of the cheaper Mazdaspeed 3 i previously had.

Evo10 took a big step back from its two older siblings sporting iron blocks.

The 4B11T is actually a pretty impressive engine. It's square and likes to rev so once you upgrade the turbo it reaaaaallly comes alive. It's one of the best breathing 4cyl's out there. The 4G63T is a pretty stout engine but also has 20 years of R&D behind it.

I've tuned a built 4B11T to 750hp and spinning to 9200rpm. Very impressive 4cyl engine.

When I did this as a profession and worked at a shop tuning Mitsubishis, the shop specialized in Subarus, I would never touch a EJ20 or EJ25, they are very fragile compared and have a set of their own issues.