Well I've just put my name down for a Focus RS!!
#63
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I look forward to taking one for a spin, like fact it's not "yet another 2.0turbo", 2.3 lump should help get it moving before the turbo spins up in what is going to be a fairly heavy car (no figures at hand, but many modern hatches are around the 1500kg mark).
What grabs my attention is this GKN twinster AWD system; in that when engaged it provides an overdrive to the rear wheels (rears are driven at a higher speed to the front). Naturally this is going to make it more rear biased when pressing hard on the slippy stuff. Compare that to a conventional clutch-type AWD system where the front and rear have the same gearing (like the most Haldex units).
What raises a question is the ESP/stability system will make use of slipping an engagement clutch to prevent too much power going to the rear and also not cause excessive oversteer and transmission wind-up. How long does it last over the car's life? Is it repairable/rebuildable(parts available)? Especially if the boost gets wound up (inevitable ), will it need regular fluid/filter changes like Haldex, and is the oil costed like liquid gold?
And what's it like in snow? If the rears constantly want to spin faster every time the system engages, things could be interesting if it doesn't slip enough or react quickly enough.
I like it when a manufacturer does something different instead of following the heard and dishing yet another 2.0turbo hot hatch. The only thing I mourn is the loss of the 5pot engine as it did make a lovely noise, but it was a heavy old lump stolen from Volvo, so it had to go sooner or later.
What grabs my attention is this GKN twinster AWD system; in that when engaged it provides an overdrive to the rear wheels (rears are driven at a higher speed to the front). Naturally this is going to make it more rear biased when pressing hard on the slippy stuff. Compare that to a conventional clutch-type AWD system where the front and rear have the same gearing (like the most Haldex units).
What raises a question is the ESP/stability system will make use of slipping an engagement clutch to prevent too much power going to the rear and also not cause excessive oversteer and transmission wind-up. How long does it last over the car's life? Is it repairable/rebuildable(parts available)? Especially if the boost gets wound up (inevitable ), will it need regular fluid/filter changes like Haldex, and is the oil costed like liquid gold?
And what's it like in snow? If the rears constantly want to spin faster every time the system engages, things could be interesting if it doesn't slip enough or react quickly enough.
I like it when a manufacturer does something different instead of following the heard and dishing yet another 2.0turbo hot hatch. The only thing I mourn is the loss of the 5pot engine as it did make a lovely noise, but it was a heavy old lump stolen from Volvo, so it had to go sooner or later.
Last edited by ALi-B; 01 November 2015 at 10:44 AM.
#66
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I look forward to taking one for a spin, like fact it's not "yet another 2.0turbo", 2.3 lump should help get it moving before the turbo spins up in what is going to be a fairly heavy car (no figures at hand, but many modern hatches are around the 1500kg mark).
What grabs my attention is this GKN twinster AWD system; in that when engaged it provides an overdrive to the rear wheels (rears are driven at a higher speed to the front). Naturally this is going to make it more rear biased when pressing hard on the slippy stuff. Compare that to a conventional clutch-type AWD system where the front and rear have the same gearing (like the most Haldex units).
What raises a question is the ESP/stability system will make use of slipping an engagement clutch to prevent too much power going to the rear and also not cause excessive oversteer and transmission wind-up. How long does it last over the car's life? Is it repairable/rebuildable(parts available)? Especially if the boost gets wound up (inevitable ), will it need regular fluid/filter changes like Haldex, and is the oil costed like liquid gold?
And what's it like in snow? If the rears constantly want to spin faster every time the system engages, things could be interesting if it doesn't slip enough or react quickly enough.
I like it when a manufacturer does something different instead of following the heard and dishing yet another 2.0turbo hot hatch. The only thing I mourn is the loss of the 5pot engine as it did make a lovely noise, but it was a heavy old lump stolen from Volvo, so it had to go sooner or later.
What grabs my attention is this GKN twinster AWD system; in that when engaged it provides an overdrive to the rear wheels (rears are driven at a higher speed to the front). Naturally this is going to make it more rear biased when pressing hard on the slippy stuff. Compare that to a conventional clutch-type AWD system where the front and rear have the same gearing (like the most Haldex units).
What raises a question is the ESP/stability system will make use of slipping an engagement clutch to prevent too much power going to the rear and also not cause excessive oversteer and transmission wind-up. How long does it last over the car's life? Is it repairable/rebuildable(parts available)? Especially if the boost gets wound up (inevitable ), will it need regular fluid/filter changes like Haldex, and is the oil costed like liquid gold?
And what's it like in snow? If the rears constantly want to spin faster every time the system engages, things could be interesting if it doesn't slip enough or react quickly enough.
I like it when a manufacturer does something different instead of following the heard and dishing yet another 2.0turbo hot hatch. The only thing I mourn is the loss of the 5pot engine as it did make a lovely noise, but it was a heavy old lump stolen from Volvo, so it had to go sooner or later.
All a bit vague an details but the AWD system sounded like the Prodrive P2 ATD system. Prodrive and Ford had been doing a work together so may have helped to develop the electronic trickery
Being Ford its going to be better than both the EVO and SUBARU systems. IMHO
TONY
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I found on the track if you used manual I really needed to keep adjusting for different corners but the LITCHFIELD T20 & T25 tweaked A-DCCD worked better as an average.
IIRC.
The DCCD on 2003-2006 Sti was poor. And LITCHFIELD tweaked them and much better on both Track and road in Auto.
Tony
IIRC.
The DCCD on 2003-2006 Sti was poor. And LITCHFIELD tweaked them and much better on both Track and road in Auto.
Tony
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Agreed
All a bit vague an details but the AWD system sounded like the Prodrive P2 ATD system. Prodrive and Ford had been doing a work together so may have helped to develop the electronic trickery
Being Ford its going to be better than both the EVO and SUBARU systems. IMHO
TONY
All a bit vague an details but the AWD system sounded like the Prodrive P2 ATD system. Prodrive and Ford had been doing a work together so may have helped to develop the electronic trickery
Being Ford its going to be better than both the EVO and SUBARU systems. IMHO
TONY
I belive its a modified version of the system used in the Freelander2/Evoque but that has equal gearing front to rear (as you'd normally expect). The Focus overdrives the rear.
Both are produced by GKN, I assume they hold the design rights to it.
Last edited by ALi-B; 02 November 2015 at 07:47 PM.
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I'm also seriously thinking about ordering one of these too. I've driven the driveline disconnect system in the Land Rover Evoque/Discovery Sport and it's an good system, seems to work well especially in the snow.
Bit put off that the only differential on the Focus RS is between the front wheels but do like Ford's engineering to avoid the cost/weight of a permanent 4x4 system.
Bit put off that the only differential on the Focus RS is between the front wheels but do like Ford's engineering to avoid the cost/weight of a permanent 4x4 system.
#72
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My deposit went down on Sunday 11 October, and I am in the first batch off the line. Can't wait .
Nitrous blue, 19" wheels, Luxury pack, blue painted calipers .
Also looking forward to the Mountune Performance Pack .
Last edited by Dave T-S; 04 November 2015 at 07:30 AM.
#76
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Performance subarus and performance fords are night and day difference.. Fords are quick,but your always aware it's a family car made to go quick.. But in a subaru your always aware your in a rally car modified for the road.. Just my opinion.. But image jumped from subaru to ford,now back to subaru..
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Performance subarus and performance fords are night and day difference.. Fords are quick,but your always aware it's a family car made to go quick.. But in a subaru your always aware your in a rally car modified for the road.. Just my opinion.. But image jumped from subaru to ford,now back to subaru..
I dunno about delivery dates but Ford now have a configurator online and the price starts at £29k. £33k by the time you add a few sensible extra. The 5.8% interest on the pcp makes it very tempting knowing what RS Fords are like on the used market.
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First batch and demos have just started production so should start seeing them on the road end of Feb? There's a 'mule' car doing the rounds last seen in Manchester and heading North. I'm in the second batch so assuming early summer unless they ramp up production.
#81
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You hang an sti on a ramp,and hanging rs one ramp and straight away you can see which one is based more for a rallying intent..yes it's true they are both a million miles from a rally car,but there is definitely more to link on a subaru to a ford.. Ps,in the fords defence? I am going on a mk2 rs.
#82
£29995
http://www.ford.co.uk/ConfigureyourCar/Focus-RS/RS
RSBody style5 DoorEngine & Transmission2.3 EcoBoost 350PS 6 Speed Manual
Colour
Stealth (Standard Colour)
Standard
Trim
Standard RS Recaro seat
Standard Total Price £29,995
Standard Features:
2.3 EcoBoost 350PS Engine with Auto-Start Stop
All-Wheel Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring
6 Speed manual transmission
4 preset Drive Modes: Normal, Sport, Track or Drift
Launch Control
Dual mode damper settings
Performance shift light
19” multispoke alloy wheels with 235/35 tyres
350mm ventilated front disc brakes with lightweight Brembo four-piston monoblock callipers
Unique RS performance rear spoiler
Twin high-performance exhaust pipes
Bi-Xenon HID headlamps with adaptive lighting
Headlamp jet wash
Automatic headlights
RS branded Recaro front seats with leather side bolsters
Dual-zone Electronic Air Temperature Control
SYNC 2 with 8” Touchscreen DAB audio system with enhanced voice control and Emergency Assistance
Nine Sony audio speakers
Additional binaccle mounted gauges (boost pressure, oil temperature & oil pressure)
Ford Power Starter Button
Quickclear heated windscreen and heated washer jets
Rain sensing wipers
Automatic dimming rear view mirror
Thatcham Category 1 alarm
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Ford MyKey®
http://www.ford.co.uk/ConfigureyourCar/Focus-RS/RS
RSBody style5 DoorEngine & Transmission2.3 EcoBoost 350PS 6 Speed Manual
Colour
Stealth (Standard Colour)
Standard
Trim
Standard RS Recaro seat
Standard Total Price £29,995
Standard Features:
2.3 EcoBoost 350PS Engine with Auto-Start Stop
All-Wheel Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring
6 Speed manual transmission
4 preset Drive Modes: Normal, Sport, Track or Drift
Launch Control
Dual mode damper settings
Performance shift light
19” multispoke alloy wheels with 235/35 tyres
350mm ventilated front disc brakes with lightweight Brembo four-piston monoblock callipers
Unique RS performance rear spoiler
Twin high-performance exhaust pipes
Bi-Xenon HID headlamps with adaptive lighting
Headlamp jet wash
Automatic headlights
RS branded Recaro front seats with leather side bolsters
Dual-zone Electronic Air Temperature Control
SYNC 2 with 8” Touchscreen DAB audio system with enhanced voice control and Emergency Assistance
Nine Sony audio speakers
Additional binaccle mounted gauges (boost pressure, oil temperature & oil pressure)
Ford Power Starter Button
Quickclear heated windscreen and heated washer jets
Rain sensing wipers
Automatic dimming rear view mirror
Thatcham Category 1 alarm
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Ford MyKey®
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You hang an sti on a ramp,and hanging rs one ramp and straight away you can see which one is based more for a rallying intent..yes it's true they are both a million miles from a rally car,but there is definitely more to link on a subaru to a ford.. Ps,in the fords defence? I am going on a mk2 rs.
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Just put a deposit down today for one. Waiting list is a year, so not expecting delivery till 2017.
Was told they're expecting to receive all orders in the first quarter of this year, and that's your lot, no more. Also, they recon they're demonstrator won't be in till September? Which makes no sense if all orders will already be in?
Went for white, and everything except sunroof.
3 year warranty, plus an extra £795 gets you another 3 years, plus mot cover ( £500 towards any mot work, including brakes etc), and breakdown cover. So the car won't cost me a penny in repairs for 6 years!
Don't like the new impreza, haven't for years. And I think the public agree, as I never see late ones on the road. Real shame.
Tim.
Was told they're expecting to receive all orders in the first quarter of this year, and that's your lot, no more. Also, they recon they're demonstrator won't be in till September? Which makes no sense if all orders will already be in?
Went for white, and everything except sunroof.
3 year warranty, plus an extra £795 gets you another 3 years, plus mot cover ( £500 towards any mot work, including brakes etc), and breakdown cover. So the car won't cost me a penny in repairs for 6 years!
Don't like the new impreza, haven't for years. And I think the public agree, as I never see late ones on the road. Real shame.
Tim.
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Blimey you guys are putting a lot of faith into the new RS without even trying one yet. I know the press reviews have been excellent so far, but I just have a gut feeling its being overhyped to the max because its a new RS. No doubt its a good car, but as good as all the press are saying it is? mmm I dunno.
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Blimey you guys are putting a lot of faith into the new RS without even trying one yet. I know the press reviews have been excellent so far, but I just have a gut feeling its being overhyped to the max because its a new RS. No doubt its a good car, but as good as all the press are saying it is? mmm I dunno.