John Hughes

Just bought a couple of magazines, Autocar and Autoexpress, to see what the new Focus RS could do. Autoexpress has a “shoot out” with a Mini John Cooper Works and the Impreza STi. Obviously as there is no mention of the R26.R the Mini is the winner. And as usual in this type of magazine they contradict their judgement at every turn, depending on what car they are talking about. Autoexpress cant justify the high price of AWD as on the day the test track was dry. With over 4000 of these RS's expected to be sold in Britain, I hope it doesn't rain then. The test is supposed to be for the new evolution of hot hatches that can be used as family cars, and the winner couldn't get a budgie in the back seat and a packet of trill in the boot. And by the way they never compared performance times. Autocar has the quote “ the focus is as fast as anything we've ever driven across country” then all they have to back this up is a very slow 0-62 time.

So as yet I've not learned very much except the focus is very slow 0-62 and the price is a bargain at £24995 compared to the £26040 STi. Actually the RS cost £850 more than the STi, as it was in blue (£395) had climate control (£750) and key-less entry (£750).

Also available for the RS partial leather trim is £500, SN is £750 and in that green colour, it sets you back a further £695.

I just hope all the hype on the RS is eventually justified (lets see some real head to heads first), as it's a nice looking car, and it gives me another option when it's time to trade in the STi (about 18 months).

PS. The Mini will not be an option.

Pete

I,ll keep my Classic i think...

On a serious note, 0-60 has never bothered me, i,m not really into bragging rights etc same with BHP. I think it,s a tuff one really, i mean, take the ST, it is VERY Tunable to 300+ with similar, if not more torque, i,d have to think very long & hard about parting with another 10k for the RS, BUT i guess that,s exactly it, IT,S AN RS, those 2 last letters will make it sell and i guess eventually be a collectors car, who knows??

I,d have to seriously conside the RA-R too if i was about to spend 25k on another car..

Decisons....

John Hughes

I'm not implying that the 0-62 is that important, it's just the only actual figure they give. They shouldn't tell you it's super fast without backing it up. How fast is it or fast compared to what?

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Autocar is, well, a bit crap IMHO. They compromise objective journalism to get the story first! I prefer reading performance car.

Ns04

Pete

I,ve read somewhere the 0-60 is under 6 secs, 5.7, or 5.8 i think, what does your STI do it in John?? not alot quicker i,d imagine....

EddScott

Before anyone else says it, why not just buy a slightly older, arguably better 06 Impreza STI?

The currrent breed of hatches look a bit geh IMO. I hated the driving position of the ST after being in my classic impreza - was like driving an MPV.

I agree with the Mini though - complete waste of time including it in a "practicle" hot hatch test. But then if you have the R26 with the roll cage you don't get rear seats. Although you'd probably get more shopping in.

GazTheHat

I love the new look of the RS and if it was AWD, i don't think there would be a comparison. As they stand though, i'd still get the STi. So the Focus coped with itself (apparently) in standard form. What about another 50bhp/50lb??

I like tinkering with cars and i'd like to retain some form of driveability. The STi will keep that.

If the new STi looked like the new RS, i'd of donned my balaclava, robbed post offices, old grannies and sold a kidney to get one.

John Hughes

As tested in Autoexpress 25/02/09 - Focus 5.9 / STi 4.7

Pete

John,

I didn,t realise the new shape STI was that quick to 60..

Well there ya go, over 1 second..........that,s where the FWD suffers obviously, spinning of the line....


Edited to say, i,d still have the RS over that ugly ***** STI.......


Only kidding John................

scooby L

4.7

I'd say that was slightly optimistic

How about 5.2 and not kill your clutch in 3 months..

Shailan

iTrader: (1)

I prefer reading EVO, they have a group test FRS vs. R26r

Ford Focus RS & Renault Mgane R26-R | Car Review Group Test | evo

scooby1doo1

iTrader: (7)

I would like to see some body do a 0-60 time of 5.9 in a 300bhp ford focus, real world drivin side buy side ford vs scoob any scoob (turbo) scoob would win due to traction. Your ford will just light his/her tyres= buy buy mr ford.
Another thing who would pay 25k plus for a focus

Shailan

iTrader: (1)

I would rather have the Litchfield Type 20

Subaru Impreza Litchfield Type-20 | Car Review | evo

stara

the litchfield motor is some machine, apparantly as quick to 60 and then on to 100 on a damp road as an audi R8 is on a dry road.

Paul666

The 5.2 is what Subaru claim for the 0-62 time and those who have tested the car list 4.8 for 60 with the PPP or 330s looking at 4.4

mit

iTrader: (10)

Don't subaru quote times with two people and a tank of fuel? They have always been quoted quicker 0-60 times when tested in magazines with just a driver.

BigBez

i cant believe Ford havn't made the Focus RS 4 wheel drive based on the rally car. Ford owners have been let down enough with the focus rs (mk1) and the new ST being FWD it sucks to put it bluntley

theres rumours after the new RS there planning a Focus Cosworth which may finally bring us 4 wheel drive but i doubt it !

as people said no need to pay 25 K for a Focus RS still with Front wheel drive, you can get a Focus ST3 with under 30,000 miles on it for 10 K these days and another 2 - 3 K on a tuning package from Pumaspeed or Pumabuild which will see it max out at 350 BHP with 400 Ft/lb torque

Mikkel

If it had AWD I would pay £25k for it I have to say.

+Doc+

4 wheel drive is not cost effective for them.

wrighty338

iTrader: (33)

RS is still only as fast to 60 as my classic was 10 years ago and it cost 4 times less

Mikkel

Let's be honest though, it looks 10 times better. And don't get me wrong, I aint no Impreza basher and the classic is my second favourite shape for the Impreza.

nik52wrx

I would hardly say its very slow to 62
I've not had a performance car since i sold my STI PPP two years ago but a Focus RS could change that A new Impreza wouldn't.
Nik.

Robocop

Focus RS v Evo X v BMW135i
Video: Ford Focus RS Triple Test - Sky Motoring Video

DazW

iTrader: (1)

fpmsl at John's post history ...It's like a one man mission to save IM & Subaru

Boyakasha

iTrader: (2)

The RS looks a million times better than the current MY08 STi Ugly Duckling. Real world driving is not about 0-60, the RS may be 1s slower to 60 but once moving it will probably be quicker than the STi as it does not have the trany loses. Also it should hold it's value very well.

.........I'm still keeping my Hawkeye STi though

Mikkel

Best of the Imprezas (excusing the 22B) unless they do something radically different in the future. I'll be keeping mine until they put AWD in the RS, so I'll be keeping mine

colapepsi

To put it bluntly its time ford brought back the COSWORTH badge.

Iam sure a 4 wheel drive Focus cosworth would sell like hotcakes. So why are their no plans to bring the cossie name back. WHY FORD WHY????

Boyakasha

iTrader: (2)

I'd second that, don't think it would happen though. I remember way back when there was rumours that there would be a cosworth MK1 Focus but it never happened.

I'm pretty sure the development costs of the AWD wouldn't pay off, and now that the economy is down the pan then we can keep on dreaming

Andy-pay

fifth gear web site say

"As for a Subaru or Mitsubishi 4WD rally rep - forget it. If you are looking for a performance four-seater at this price point, you would be mad not to try the Focus RS. Even if you can't get on with the looks or the badge, it will give you a dynamic benchmark for everything else."

Interesting.

Paul666

Real world driving also involves wet roads with bends not just 20-60 mph runs but even on a dry road I'd still put my money on the STI. It was said that 200 bhp was the max you could run fwd then came the trick diffs and that went up to 250 but unless you're a very skillfull driver you can't use that, or more, on the roads without something bad happening.