acidtonic

iTrader: (1)

http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/new-ford-focus-rs-information-2012-02-13

Let me know your thoughts. FWD, 2.3 turbo around 320hp, RevoKnuckle front suspension.

Would you be interested in this car or the Focus ST? What do you think is done right about these cars? What do you think is wrong? What would it take for Ford to sell one of these to you.

Looking for community input on how you rank this car among it's competitors. If you had some feedback to leave Ford, what would you tell them?

wingless

iTrader: (15)

Yes please! Get rid of that jerk that thinks we don't want AWD and make a more compact system. I would be driving Focus right now instead of an Evo if they offered it with that motor/turbo and AWD!

Smike

iTrader: (8)

I'd rock it.

McDougal

iTrader: (6)

I'd drive it if it came with awd.

Smike

iTrader: (8)

AWD is not a requirement for fun or fast.

tripperfx3

iTrader: (6)

True, but weren't some of the older RS's AWD? Also thats a lot of power for FWD. Look at the traction/torque steer issues the Mazdaspeed 3's were having when they 1st came out. AWD, to me at least, would make for a more enjoyable and controllable car especially for someone thats not used to that kinda power in a FWD platform and don't know how to control it.

I'd still rock it no doubt, but again its just one of those things I can't help think would make the car that more enjoyable.

Smike

iTrader: (8)

02-04 RS...but car had frame for WRC (with rear drive tunnel). New car does not. Times change.

Reviews from UK on last RS (and Top Gear) has that being a lot less of an issue.

Learn to use 110% of FWD Then it's a lot more fun!

blknblubkrdude

iTrader: (16)

This car would be fantastic with AWD! All-season fun.

Too bad they phased out the I5, the sounds it makes are great.

tomek_46

I'd like to drive one, from Evo it would be probably downgrade. For me more of a sideways move.

wingless

iTrader: (15)

Agreed. However MMC sold me an AWD car that at least was somewhat similar to thier old WRC program and group N cars. Ford has an AWD rally program but will only sell me a 2WD non-turbo meh version.

It matters, Audi, Subaru, and many other Marques have built entire brands based on AWD and forever changed racing and sreet cars alike.

acidtonic

iTrader: (1)

I waited to comment so I didn't set the tone. I wanted to hear what you guys had to say.....

I could have swore they said the opposite on Top Gear. I remember Jeremy letting go of the steering wheel, flooring it, and watching the car jerk violently to the side and nearly off the road. He clearly was making fun of RevoKnuckle and showing us just how much it still torque steers at stock power levels. I can't imagine trying to mod it beyond that....

There's just something so terribly practical about daily driving a boosted AWD car in this climate. The torque hits low, traction is damn near limitless, highway economy better than my previous V8 Cobra, and I only need one vehicle for this weather instead of a backup 4x4 for snow. Bonus points for tuning stock ECU, 400whp possible on stock turbo/motor, and still having a true manual transmission with AWD. I won't pay Evo money to spin the tires in the rain with similar power. Not worth it to me. That's the track pipe dream, I'm living in reality with wet/slippery conditions and wanting to have fun.

The Evo is a sub 5 second 0-60 stock with 290hp and the RS is like a full second slower if not more with equal power. Sure people say the RS would catch up on the highway with less drivetrain losses, but by then I'm already lengths ahead and getting off the gas because I won. I'm not running endurance races and I'm not on a race track. Even if the RS is faster on a track, it's not practical. I'm hardly on a track and I don't care. The Evo is much more fun in the low gears and can still beat the RS by simply adding more power. That's a win for me.

I'll reconsider when Ford goes back to producing a car similar to the Ford Escort Cosworth with AWD and a manual transmission. There's a reason they are being imported and sold for $35K with high mileage in horrible condition. People want an American AWD! Let's hope one of the big three step up and Challenge the Evo/STI for the next-gen cars. Whoever does will get my money.

wingless

iTrader: (15)

I too dreamed of being a racecar driver. I went to Skip Barber and I had an s2000 for years. I drove that car 365 days a year in New England with good snows and summer tires. Nothing like trying to merge onto a fast busy road from a 90* standstill up a slight incline and in freezing drizzle. I wound up facing the wrong way in traffic, heart pounding many-a-time. Skip Barber taught me that there were fast, in slow-out fast drivers and that I was deffinately not one of them. The Evo has been a fantastic street car and a perfect compliment to my ham fisted driving style in a climate that is sh*tty out as often as it is nice.

If I lived in a different climate or ever got serious about a track car, I think it would be cheap, light and RWD. Maybe this is the consumer Ford is looking for?

acidtonic

iTrader: (1)

Agree completely about different climates and RWD. I had a Cobra in Illinois but after moving up north to Michigan and going through 3 winters in the Cobra, I started looking for alternatives.

I had no problems driving the Cobra in the snow.... sure I got stuck a lot and missed a lot of work since I couldn't go anywhere. But otherwise I was used to driving with careful throttle and gentle shifting. I got around and never wrecked. Did I enjoy it. NO! Was I wishing I was in a different car the entire time, YES!

If I lived in a dry sunny climate without snow, I would surely get back into a rwd V8 because it was a lot of fun when it had traction. Just today we had a random snow storm and now 1.5-2 inches of snow is on the ground right now. If I had the Cobra I would be running to my boss to ask to leave so I could make it home before being stranded.

I doubt it. Cheap light and RWD would be the new Toyobaru BRZ with 200hp, rwd, and a chassis focused on handling. Maybe Ford is hoping no one will notice this car is a better fit?